Page 10 - Osteoarthritis

This is not a bad thing. They will help decrease

both pain and damage. However, this strategy is

very limited. Chondroitin sulfate is one of the

structural components of cartilage and and when

incorporated into cartilage, helps provide

resistance to compression. Think of both

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine as potential

structural material for the joints, although research

is controversial on how effective they are when

taken orally.

In China, they have used herbal formulas for

millenia to both prevent and treat arthritis. One

example would be the herbal formula Du huo ji

sheng wan which is made up of 14 – 15 different

herbs to treat arthritis. The reason the herbal

formula has so many different herbs is that the

different herbs have different functions in reference

to treating arthritis. Certain herbs reduce

inflammation and pain. Others strengthen bone and

cartilage and/or aid the cells that help produce

cartilage and bone in the first place. A third group

increases local blood flow to help bring in

resources more efficiently and a fourth group is

added to break down unhealthy tissue and help