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Abundant Life with |
Our bodies have extraordinary defence and repair processes.
I recently took a chunk out of my shin. A few minutes later bleeding stopped, and a clot formed.
The next week the area became red with inflammation opening blood vessels to bring a variety of compounds to heal the damaged tissue. Inflammation subsided and new skin is forming.
Our joints have healing processes unique to joints. If cartilage is damaged, specialist cartilage cells called chondrocytes are stimulated to make a cocktail of compounds including chondroitin to secrete new cartilage to repair damage. Joint pain from osteoarthritis can significantly reduce quality of life through pain and restricted mobility.
There is a downside because inflammation brings more fluid into the joint capsule. This is the cause of pain, swelling, heat and redness that can be part of osteoarthritis. This inflammation often causes more discomfort and lack of mobility than actual cartilage loss. This is why reducing inflammation is the most important part of nutritional therapy for joints.
Late-2023 I was contacted by someone with serious knee osteoarthritis, who was advised he’d need a knee replacement. I started him on a programme of 1600mg of chondroitin, 1600mg of glucosamine and 400mg of 100% water-soluble curcumin, from turmeric. After a few months he reported improvements. Two years later, his knees are much more comfortable with improved mobility.
This programme works because the compounds stimulate cartilage repair processes while reducing inflammation and protecting the joint from further deterioration. This often means a real improvement in quality of life. Feel free to request a copy of my osteoarthritis programme.
John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz.