Brevard Orthopaedics

NUTRITION FOR YOUR JOINTS
By Dr. Angus W. Graham III

If you haven't heard by now your joints are getting a lot of attention these days. As the Baby Boomers get older their knees are starting to ache and they are seeking a cure. Glucosamine and Chondroiten Sulfate (G/CS) are the best hope we've had in some time to improve the health of those joints. Though no one is proclaiming it is a cure, it does seem to significantly decrease the symptoms of arthritis. It does this by helping to restore and improve the viscosity in the joint's lubricating synovial fluid and providing nutrients to the cells that mace articular cartilage. The stuff is a little pricey and you may need to take it indefinitely if it works for you. It is a nonprescription diet supplement and is available at most pharmacies. Be careful and buy a quality brand. Recently it has been shown to have beneficial effects for those with chronic low back pain, but don't think you can ignore getting that back in shape with exercise.

See THE SKINNY ON BACK PAIN in this magazine for more information. In fact G/CS has its best results when you do everything else right to treat your arthritis: regular low impact exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling and watching your weight. If you have diabetes, an allergy to shell fish or hypertension then check with your doctor before starting this "joint vitamin".