Mention joint pain and most people picture an Arthritic elderly person. The truth is, you don't have to be old or have any form of arthritis to experience joint pain. High impact exercises, repetitive and restrictive motion such as typing on a computer and even pregnancy can affect the health and comfort to your joints. It's just a natural deteriorating process that can be naturally remedied.
Any person afflicted with joint pain will agree that it prevents you from enjoying an active life. At the first sign of joint pain, the natural urge is to take a pain reliever like aspirin or ibuprofen to lessen the stiffness. While the pain may be gone, it's temporary and there's nothing being done to repair the damage that is causing it.
But as part of a therapeutic regimen, joint pain supplements not only work wonders in easing the pain, they also help keep joints healthy and to some extent even mend the stress that caused the agony in the first place. By using and restoring the natural components that make joints healthy, joint supplements are far more safe and effective than taking joint pain drugs.
The key constituents: Glucosamine for the cartilidge, Chrondroitin Sulfate for inflammation and Methylsulfonylmethanae or MSM for flexibility and elasticity, can be found in most commercial supplements that are targeted for joint health and repair.
Glucosamine is an amino acid which is a component of joint cartilage. Taking Glucosamine supplements is believed to prevent the deterioration of cartilage. Add to that Chrondroitin Sulfate, a component derived from animals, it's said to actually increase the formation of new cartilage.
MSM is an added sulfur that is believed to relieve joint pain and inflammation and improve flexibility and elasticity. Boswellia Serrata, Harpagophytum procumbens and Bromelain are other powerful anti-inflammatory agents that aid in the repair of cartilage. Some supplements made by more independent companies include these components for better results.
If you are allergic to shellfish, which is the element Glucosamine is derived from, look for supplements that offer an option, such as the Glucosamine supplement made by Solgar. It pays to do a thorough research of the brand before buying. The dosage, ingredients and quality differ greatly. Helpful reviews and recommendations can be found on Joint Health Reviews.com and the Weiss Rheumatology Institute website.
The debate between joint relief supplements and joint relief drugs boils down to side effects. While the results from supplements may not be immediate, their side effects are non-existent where as joint relief drug side effects have been severe. Some COX-2 medications have even been banned for imposing serious health issues such as risk of heart attack, stroke, liver damage and a debilitating skin disease to name a few. Opioid medications, such as Codeine and Percocet have other issues like abdominal pain, constipation and addiction. Even non-prescriptive drug studies resulted in ulcers, gastric bleeding, nausea and vomiting.
If you have joint pain, whether it's from osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis or just pushing your body too hard, choose the easier, healthier way to recover in the form of joint supplements.
