The two hundred bones in your body are made from calcium and other minerals. Bones protect, shape and support your body.

Your joints are the point where two bones meet – they’re a bit like hinges, structures that allow for flexible movement. To protect them and maintain suppleness, joints contain fluids and other substances that cushion the area so they can then slide against each other without friction. With age and through injury, for example, your joints can become damaged, causing pain and inflammation. This can lead to a condition called osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis explained

‘Osteo’ is the Latin word for bone and arthritis is a general term that’s used to describe a number of painful conditions affecting the joints and bones. It is associated with discomfort, irritation, swelling and inflammation.

In osteoarthritis, small amounts of cartilage break away from bone so that the bones rub together; this strains the ligaments (strong tissues that hold bones together). The joints can become brittle and bone thickens and spreads forming osteophytes (knobbly growths). Inside the joint, the fluid gets thinner and the space that contains fluid becomes smaller. You feel pain when the bones rub together and/or the joints move out of their natural positions.

Joint ventures with Procosamine®!

Procosamine®

• A joint is where two or more bones meet

• Synovial joints are moveable joints

• The synovial membrane is a soft tissue found between the bones in the joint capsule

• Synovial joints contain a lubricating liquid called synovial fluid

• Cartilage is a fleshy tissue that needs to be elastic and resilient

Cartilage

Bone

Bone

Healthy Joint Osteoarthritic Joint

Synovial membrane

Cartilage has eroded and bones rub together

Ageing cuts the body’s ability to repair and renew cartilage (a flexible type of connective tissue). The breakdown of cartilage reduces the shock-absorbing capacity in the joints and osteoarthritis (OA) can occur. The kind of damage that results from wear and tear tends to affect the large weight-bearing joints most often – the hips, knees and ankles for example. But OA can also affect the hands and the fingers.

Although it isn’t generally life-threatening, osteoarthritis is a major cause of physical disability for millions of people worldwide. And, as our population gets older and heavier, its dramatic influence on healthcare costs and quality of life is likely to get worse.

If you have symptoms, taking analgesics and/or anti-inflammatories and rubbing anti-inflammatory cream/gel into the joint can ease pain although your doctor may advise steroids and/or surgery.

What are the symptoms?

Pain or stiffness after sitting or lying down for some time is common in OA. And, mild and/or occasional joint pain and stiffness can progress to more frequent and severe pain with affected joints becoming increasingly difficult to move. The muscles that usually move the joint get tighter and shorter as they are used less and less and it becomes increasingly difficult to straighten the joint.

What can you do?

Get into a healthy weight range

If you have OA and are overweight, getting into a healthy weight range is one of the best things you can do to help your condition.

Enjoy plenty of fruits and veggies, wholegrain cereals, pulses, dairy or calcium-enriched soya produce, fish and lean meat or vegetarian alternatives. Try to make fish the dish of the day at least twice a week, especially oily fish like salmon, fresh tuna and sardines. These supply valuable omega-3 fats which have anti-inflammatory effects. Cut down on fatty and/or sugary foods and drinks and alcohol. Speak with your doctor or an Accredited Practicing Dietitian or look into the benefits of USANA’s RESET™ Weight Management Program.

Try modest exercise and supplements

Moderate exercise brings lots of health benefits. For example, if you have OA of the knee, you may have weak leg muscles because you naturally favour the non-painful joint. But doing exercises to strengthen the major muscles may boost your daily activity and your stamina, too.

Combining moderate activity with glucosamine, one of the active ingredients in Procosamine® may bring even better results.

Why exerCiSe? BeCAuSe iT…• Improvesyouroverallfitness

• Helpsboostthebloodsupplyaroundyour body

• Keepsthemusclesthatsupportthejointsstrong and supple

• Improvesstrengthandendurance

• Improvestherangeofmotionandposture

• Enhancesbalanceandcoordination

• Boostsmoodbyreleasingendorphins–the body’s natural feel-good chemicals and painkillers.

WhO’S AffeCTed By OA?OA is a common chronic (long-term) condition; more than 1.6 million Australians are affected. The causes aren’t completely understood, but risk factors can include:

• Beingoverweight/obese(especiallylong-term as this puts added pressure on the joints)

• Physicalinjury/overuseofthejoint(asseenin sports people or people who do heavy, physical work)

• Familyhistory(agenetictendency)

• Damagetothenervesthatsupplyajoint

• Infectionofthejointsand/orthebones.

Conditions that alter the position of the ends of bones such as rickets (low vitamin D in childhood) and osteomalacia (low vitamin D in the adult years) and other bone and joint illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout can also increase the likelihood of OA.

Studies have found that the ancient eastern practice of Tai Chi can improve fitness, strengthen muscles, boost flexibility, reduce body fat and lower the risk of falls in the elderly. in a study of people with OA of the knee or hip, those who practiced Tai Chi twice a week for three months showed improvement in overall sense of quality of life, less stress/tension and easier self-management of arthritis symptoms.

One study from the University of Queensland found that people with OA who embarked on a three-day a week walking program and took a glucosamine supplement felt less OA-related pain.

The volunteers in the small study took 1500mg glucosamine daily for six weeks and reported that their pain levels had fallen by 13 per cent. Then, they were asked to start regular exercise as well as continuing to take the glucosamine supplements. At the end of six months, patients said that both their pain and stiffness had been cut by half, as reported in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy.

LeadresearcherQueenslandUniversity’sDrKristiannHeeschsaidthattheirfindings:‘Provide preliminary evidence that osteoarthritis sufferers can benefit from a combination of glucosamine sulphate and walking 3,000 steps per day for exercise, in bouts of at least 1500 steps each, on at least three days per week.’ USANA’s Procosamine® provides a high potency vegetarian form of glucosamine to support normal healthy joints and cartilage. So, you can benefit from the same results as taking regular glucosamine sulphate but without the potential for shellfish allergies in susceptible people and it’s suitable for vegetarians, too.

Glucosamine and Procosamine®

Glucosamine is a substance that’s naturally produced by the body; it’s one of the building blocks of collagen, bone, blood vessels, joints and ligaments. It is also a precursor or substance used to make larger molecules called glycosaminoglycans which are involved in the formation and repair of cartilage and collagen.

Glucosamine maintains the gumminess of joints by inhibiting the enzymes that may breakdown cartilage. We produce less of it with ageing and including it in your diet may be a good way to bolster your body’s natural recovery from daily wear and tear.

Supplementary benefits of Procosamine

Procosamine helps to reduce joint inflammation, reduce swelling and increase joint mobility associated with arthritis not just because of the glucosamine it contains, but also due to its added blend of key joint-supporting minerals.

Turmeric extract. Curcuminoids in turmeric (the bright yellow spice that gives a golden glow to Indian curries and curry powder) contains potent anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Traditional curcumin from turmeric isn’t absorbed well (isn’t able to enter cells easily). So, in to deliver any real benefits you would have to consume very large amounts. Scientists suggest around 10 grams (around two teaspoons) daily to achieve blood concentrations that correspond to preclinical studies. USANA’s Procosamine® contains patented Meriva® Curcumin to enhance curcumin’s health benefits. The active anti-inflammatory ingredient is wrapped in a protective lecithin (fatty substance) layer which helps to prevent it from breaking down in the stomach allowing for better absorption in the small intestine. The Meriva Curcumin complex allows for 29-times better absorption than standard forms of curcumin.

GluCOSAmine SulPhATe Or hydrOChlOride – WhAT’S The differenCe?Most research has focused on the health benefits of glucosamine sulphate whilst Procosamine contains a vegetarian source of glucosamine hydrochloride. USANA scientists have added potassium sulphate to the Procosamine formulation in order to provide the same benefits as shellfish-sourced glucosamine sulphate.

Vitamins a, C & E Glucosamine is used to make cartilage which needs the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and the antioxidant mineral selenium for its production. Glucosamine is essential for bone building and for the production of skin, nails, tendons and cartilage. Boosting A, C and E and selenium may thus help to protect the joints.

BE GUiDE-ED!The results of a small six month long trial called the GUIDE trial conducted in Spain and Portugal, measured the effects of a 1500mg daily dose of glucosamine sulphate against a 3000mg daily dose of the analgesic (pain killer) acetaminophen (paracetamol) or placebo in 318 people with knee OA. Glucosamine relieved pain significantly better than the acetaminophen or placebo say the researchers.

‘Glucosamine is a safe compound and its use should be considered in the early stages of OA,’ says Gabriel Herrero-Beaumont MD lead author of the GUIDE trial.

According to the Arthritis foundation of Australia…

The Cochrane Collaboration, an extremely conservative medical review group has stated that ‘there is good evidence that glucosamine is both effective and safe in treating osteoarthritis. ’

References

Felson DT, Zhang Y, Anthony JM. Weight loss reduces the risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in women. The Framingham

Study. Ann Inter Med 1992;116:535-539. Accessed 9 July 2012.Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

pubmed/1543306NormanTMNg,KristiannCHeeschandWendyJBrown.

Efficacy of a progressive walking program and glucosamine sulphate supplementation on osteoarthritic symptoms of the

hip and knee: a feasibility trial. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2010. Accessed 28 June 2012. Accessed 9 July 2012.Available

from: http://arthritis-research.com/content/12/1/R25/abstract PennStateHershey.MiltonS.HersheyMedicalCentre.

Osteoarthritis. Accessed 9 July 2012. Available from: http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=115&p

id=33&gid=000118 AnandP,KunnumakkaraAB,NewmanRA,AggarwalBB.Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promises. Mol

Pharm 2007;4:807-818. . Accessed 10 July 2012.Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855307/

John Cuomo, Giovanni Appendino, et al. Comparative Absorption of a Standardized Curcuminoid Mixture and Its

Lecithin Formulation. Journal of Natural Products. Accessed 9 July 2012.Available from: http://www.usana.com/media/

File/Prospecting%20page/Tools/US/SciencePosters/US-ENJournalOfNaturalProducts.pdf

Satoskar RR, Shah SJ, Shenoy SG. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory property of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) in

patients with postoperative inflammation. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1986; 24:651-654. Accessed 10 July 2012.Available

from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3546166KuptniratsaikulThanakhumtornS,ChinswangwatanakulP,Wattanamongkonsil L, Thamlikitkul V. Efficacy and safety

of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Alt Compl Med. 2009;15:891-897. Accessed 10 July 2012.Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

pubmed/19678780.Efficacy and Safety of Meriva®, a Curcumin-

phosphatidylcholine Complex, during Extended Administration in Osteoarthritis Patients. Gianni Belcaro; Maria

Rosaria Cesarone; Mark Dugall; Luciano Pellegrini; Andrea Ledda;

Maria Giovanna Grossi; Stefano Togni; Giovanni Appendino Altern Med Rev. 2010 Dec;15(4):337-44. Accessed 10

July 2012.Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21194249

GoelA,KunnumakkaraAJ,AggarwalBB.Curcuminas“curecumin”: from kitchen to clinic. Biochem Pharmacol

2008;75:787-809. Accessed 10 July 2012.Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17900536

McAlindon TE, Felson DT, Zhang Y, et al. Relation of dietary intake and serum levels of vitamin D to progression of osteoarthritis of the knee among participants in the

Framingham Study. Ann Intern Med 1996; 125: 353-9. Accessed 9 July 2012.Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.

gov/pmc/articles/PMC2920533/ChuinA,LabontéM,TessierD,KhalilA,BobeufF,Doyon

CY, Rieth N, Dionne IJ. Effect of antioxidants combined to resistance training on BMD in elderly women: a pilot study. Osteoporosis Int. 2009 Jul;20(7):1253-8. Epub 2008 Nov 20.

Accessed on 28 June 2012. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Dionne%20IJ%5BAuthor%5D&ca

uthor=true&cauthor_uid=19020919 AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare2007.OAaffects

1.3 million Australians. Media release. Published 12 October 2007. Accessed 26 June 2012. Accessed 9 July 2012.

Available from: http://www.aihw.gov.au/media-release-detail/?id=6442464717

WangC,SchmidCH,HibberdPL,KalishR,RoubenoffR,Rones R, McAlindon T. Tai Chi is effective in treating knee

osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Nov 15;61(11):1545-53. Accessed on 28

June 2012. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19877092

Procosamine®

Meriva is an important ingredient that can improve joint comfort and function and support a normal, healthy inflammatory response. OA is a chronic (long-term) condition that requires ongoing treatment, some of which includes pain killers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). NSAIDs and corticosteroids can have severe side effects when used long-term. Meriva is an effective and safe anti-inflammatory in the complementary management of OA. Plus, studies of Meriva and NSAIDs have shown a decreased use of NSAIDs in treatment groups. So, Meriva may have a potential use in the reduction of NSAID use for mild-to-moderate OA. Also, a clear reduction of NSAID-associated gastrointestinal problems has been seen in treatment groups. This may be due also to the reduced intake of NSAIDs, to the protective effects of curcumin, or to a combination of both.

Vitamin C. This is a potent antioxidant needed for the production of cartilage and is also an important immune function booster.

Manganese. A mineral that plays a key role in the production of a component of cartilage.

Supplementary supplements

Essentials™ contains Vitamin D. This helps the body to absorb calcium for strong bones. Some studies suggest low levels of vitamin D in people with joint diseases. The fluid in an inflamed joint can contain significant amounts of free radicals which are not found in a normal knee joint. Essentials contains a potent and wide-ranging mix of antioxidants.

BiOmega™III contains omega-3 fats. These essential oils are known for their anti-inflammatory properties; they are also converted in the body into substances called prostaglandins which may help to improve joint mobility and reduce joint stiffness and resulting pain.

Using Procosamine: take three tablets daily, preferably with meals.

NB: Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet. Use only as directed. Always read the label. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.