Osteoarthritis ranks second behind heart disease
by Georges Morisset, Pht
Matol's Health & Nutrition Board

Over the past decade, glucosamine sulphate has found a place in the therapeutic arsenal used by those suffering from osteoarthritis. This disease, which affects more than 66 million Americans, ranks second behind heart disease. It affects women more than men and more than half of those stricken are under 65. Victims typically turn to non-steroidal aspirin (NSAID - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) to relieve their pain. However, we know that NSAIDs do not in any way act on the cause of the problem and may even trigger many side effects.

Osteoarthritis is caused by degeneration (premature wear) of joint cartilage, which serves as a sort of cushion between the joints of the bones. Glucosamine is crucial in the formation of the two components of cartilage, proteoglycan and glucosaminoglycan. Glucosamine is also vital in the production of hyaluronic acid, a substance that maintains the synovial fluid in our joints. However, after about 30 years of age, the production of this substance gradually decreases in the body and osteoarthritis can follow.

Scientific Evidence Comes to Light
It is true: the benefits of taking glucosamine orally have still not been scientifically demonstrated but studies in several countries have clinically demonstrated that glucosamine seems to encourage the secretion of glucosaminoglycans. It has also been demonstrated that glucosamine reduces the action of certain enzymes that destroy cartilage by blocking their pathogenic mechanisms.

This fall, at a medical conference on rheumatology, results of several studies will be revealed. Among other things, it was "clinically" demonstrated in Europe that glucosamine sulphate would be more effective in relieving joint pain than the popular analgesic acetaminophen. My own experience with many patients in my physiotherapy practice over more than 10 years clearly demonstrates its beneficial action.

The second ingredient in Matol Glucosamine is Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM), a natural remedy against inflammation and pain. Studies on animals suffering from osteoarthritis show that their joints contained only a small amount of sulphide. Humans are surely not exempt.

Last September, the first 'double-blind' study carried out in the USA demonstrated the beneficial effects of sulphide, which is the main active ingredient of MSM, on the body's connective tissues. Its effectiveness in relieving pain and joint stiffness was very positive in subjects aged 40 to 76, who took three grams of MSM a day for 12 weeks, compared with a placebo.

Relief Without Side Effects
Researchers Dr. Stanley Jacob and Dr. Ronald Lawrence provided clinical evidence that MSM is as effective as Ibuprofen, a very well known medicine, but with no side effects. Its main action is its effect in decreasing nerve impulses along sensitive nerve fibres, reducing muscle spasms, alleviating inflammation, increasing blood flow and easing scarring.

In general, the most common recommended dose is 1000 to 3000 grams a day. A recent study has shown that a combination of glucosamine and MSM is more effective in relieving the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis than using only one of them.

Ago Old Relief
We have added another ingredient to increase the effectiveness of our Matol liquid Glucosamine formula, which is more absorbable than those sold in tablets. Harpagophytum, better- known as Devil's Claw, has been recognized for thousands of years as a means of easing pain, particularly back pain.

Ideal for "Boomeritis"
Matol Botanical International offers you an excellent natural non-toxic product that anyone fighting osteoarthritis can take with a real hope of reducing his/her medication and at the same time alleviating pain. Active baby boomers who are becoming injured at a rate that has increased more than 30% over five years (so much that a new medical term, "boomeritis," has been created to identify their injuries!) will find it is just what they need.

Dosage
A final word on the dosage when taking Matol Glucosamine. According to Dr. Jason Theodosakis, co-author of the book, "The Arthritis Cure", the ideal daily dose depends on body weight:

Expect to wait about six weeks before seeing results, and then decrease the dose when the pain has decreased sufficiently.

Our liquid formula contains:
500 mg of glucosamine sulphate
500 mg of methylsulfonylmethane
150 mg of Devil's Claw

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