ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF OSTEOARTHRITIS
The incidence of osteoarthritis is at an alarming rise globally. People of all ages (including children), genders and races can and do have arthritis, and there is a trend that it starts to affect people from younger age. Women tend to be more prone to osteoarthritis than men.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage covering the ends of the bones degenerates. Today leading scientists support the view that the ultimate real solution to bone health is sufficient quantity of dietary supplements, not stronger painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Prof. Dr. Klaus Miehlke, the leading expert on bone diseases in Germany, wrote in his well-cited publication of 2002 paper that to tackle joint or cartilage diseases, it is imperative that the human body is provided with cartilage-forming substances in sufficient quantities.
DEER VELVET FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS
Researches show that chondroprotective agents promote repair of cartilage by stimulating anabolic metabolism of chondrocytes and/or inhibiting catabolic processes found in osteoarthritis. The two major categories of chondroprotective nutrients are: glycosaminoglycans (GAGs, major structural components of cartilage and connective tissues) and antioxidants.
Antler velvet is a rich source of natural GAGs including chondroitin, glucosamine, keratin sulfates, hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans.
Anti-inflammatory activity from deer antler velvet may be partially due to the fact that the antler velvet contains linolenic acid, which is the precursor to the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
Glucosamine is an important amino acid which is vital in the biochemical synthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids. Glucosamine is a precursor for glycosaminoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans are a major component of joint cartilage.
In fact deer velvet is a superb food containing a wide variety of substances essential to bone and cartilage. The most important ones are methionine, arginine, alanine, histidine, hydroxyproline, phenylalanine, lysine, proline and threonine. These amino acids are important to speedy recover from injuries.
Prostaglandins in velvet antler are known for their anti-inflammatory effects, reducing swelling in injury, infection, pain, and arthritis.
ASTAXANTHIN FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS
Oxidative stress produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play key roles in the development of osteoarthritis and even rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Metabolic reactions in chondrocytes and synoviocytes produce free radicals, ROS, and their derivatives. These dangerous chemicals can accumulate in the synovial joint, causing extensive structural damage, inflammation, and cell death.
Antioxidants are capable of inhibiting ROS formation, scavenging free radicals, and removing ROS derivatives. They have major roles in modulating oxidative stress, regulating immune responses, and contributing to cell differentiation.
Astaxanthin, the most powerful natural antioxidants on earth, helps decrease the oxidative stress associated with the progression of arthritis.
ABOUT OSTEOARTHRITIS
When a joint develops osteoarthritis, some of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually roughens and becomes thin, and the bone underneath thickens. All the tissues within the joint become more active than normal – as if your body is trying to repair the damage:- The bone at the edge of your joint grows outwards, forming bony spurs called osteophytes.
- The synovium (the inner layer of the joint capsule which produces synovial fluid) may thicken and make extra fluid. This causes your joint to swell.
- The capsule and ligaments (tough bands that hold the joint together) slowly thicken and contract as if they were trying to make your joint more stable.
In severe osteoarthritis, the cartilage can become so thin that it no longer covers the ends of your bones. Your bones rub against each other and start to wear away. The loss of cartilage, the wearing of bone and the bony spurs can change the shape of your joint, forcing your bones out of their normal position.
