Athletes, an Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure and a Life Without Joint Pain

What do these five athletic emphases have in common? Research has shown that participants in these particular sports are more likely to develop early osteoarthritis. Of course, there are other factors that contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, such as age or specific injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament. However, the data is clear that joint overuse - even without serious injury - is the main mechanism of osteoarthritis.

No one knows exactly what causes the onset of osteoarthritis in serious athletes, but researchers believe that heavy loads on the legs, ankles and feet, sudden and irregular impacts and unique physical abnormalities (such as "bow" legs or "pigeon" feet) increase the risk.

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When the hips, knees and ankles are overworked or injured, the cushion - called cartilage - between the joints begins to wear away. Over time, the gradual wearing away leads to joint pain. In the worst cases, the cartilage is completely worn away and the bones of the joint rub against each other with nothing between them to "cushion" the friction.

So what is an athlete to do? Giving up their beloved sport surely can't be the only answer. Perhaps the familiar saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," can be of help here.

There are things that athletes - regardless of their game - can do now to stave off the often-debilitating effects of osteoarthritis. One of the most powerful actions is regular supplementation with nutritional supplements such as S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), MSM (a natural organic sulfur found in many fresh foods), Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine and chondroitin.

Like prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, SAMe and MSM supplements work to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Some research shows that SAMe is just as effective as anti-inflammatory medications, without the sometimes-dangerous side effects. SAMe can cause stomach upset in some people, but is generally considered a safe (though pricey) supplement.

Omega-3 fatty acids also show evidence of some anti-inflammatory properties and at least one study has shown that patients who took 1000 mg of cod liver oil twice daily for three months had a significant reduction in levels of enzymes that are known to cause cartilage break down.

While these three supplements may be effective in combating the pain of osteoarthritis, the most effective supplements for not only combating pain, but also rebuilding the damaged cartilage, are glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine and chondroitin are the naturally occurring "building blocks" of the cartilage found within joints. In a healthy joint, this cartilage is on a continuous cycle of being broken down and repaired. These raw materials are not as readily available in an arthritic joint. Supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin give arthritic joints the organic materials needed to replenish damaged cartilage.

Not all supplements are created equal, of course. America's most trusted brand name in glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation is Syn-flex [out] (Synflex). Their pharmaceutical quality blend of glucosamine and chondroitin - Syn-flex Premium Liquid Glucosamine - is a top seller with a proven track record. Adding a synergistic blend of eleven other ingredients ensures your body receives the best supplementation available. Syn-flex Premium Liquid Glucosamine eases joint pain, improves mobility, reduces inflammation, assists rehabilitating cartilage and promotes healthy joints. The liquid formula gets into the bloodstream fast, giving relief from arthritis pain much faster than pills.

Athletes, an Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure and a Life Without Joint Pain

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