Joint Health Supplements to Increase Mobility & Flexibility

We need our joints to run, walk, type, write, and eat, and without them no task of importance can be done. As we age, our joints take a beating; they become stiffer, and begin to hurt as we bend them back and forth. Working out often and living an active lifestyle can only make the problems worse. That’s why many people take proven supplements to increase their joint flexibility and health, as well as decrease pain.

American Nutrition offers an extensive line of bone and joint supplements to help you continue an active lifestyle. We carry the best joint health supplements, including Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM.

Both Glucosamine and Chondroitin occur naturally in the body and act as building blocks for the functioning of healthy cartilage. Glucosamine and Chondroitin have been studied and have been found to be critical nutrients that assist in supporting flexibility, comfort and range of motion.

Glucosamine: Glucosamine is one of the major components involved with the formation of cartilage (critical lubricants and shock absorbers necessary to maintain and restore healthy joint performance). Glucosamine facilitates the renewal of cartilage and helps keep cartilage lubricated to maintain its naturally slippery texture. These mechanisms of action improve the structure of joints.

Chondroitin: Chondroitin supports existing cartilage by promoting the quality of the synovial fluid — it attracts fluid to act as a spongy shock absorber for the joints. It works together with Glucosamine to promote the healthy flow of water and nutrients into cartilage producing cells.

When taken together, Glucosamine and Chondroitin work naturally with your body to promote healthy, flexible joints. This process of revitalizing healthy joints takes time and depends on your specific individual nutritional requirements. With daily continued use, you should look forward to experiencing the benefits of taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

MSM: MSM keeps cells from becoming rigid. MSM softens tissue (“the beauty mineral”), and is believed to relieve stress, asthma, arthritis, inflammation, constipation, candida, detoxify the body and increase blood circulation, reduce muscle cramps, and back pain, help muscles to heal, increases energy, alertness, mental calmness, and the ability to concentrate. MSM scavenges free radicals, relieves allergies to food and pollens, helps the liver produce choline, controls acidity in stomach and ulcers, coats intestinal tract so parasites lose ability to hang on, helps with hypersensitivity to drugs, increases body’s ability to produce insulin, is important for carbohydrate metabolism, and speeds wound healing.

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Rhodiola Rosea: Herbal Adaptogen to Reduce Stress

Rhodiola Rosea or “Golden Root” can help our bodies adapt to stress. It has been used in the traditional medicine of Russia, Scandinavia, and other countries. Between 1748 and 1961 various medicinal applications of Rhodiola Rosea appeared in the scientific literature of Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Iceland. Since 1961, more than 180 pharmacological, phytochemical and clinical studies have been published.

Although Rhodiola Rosea has been extensively studied as an adaptogen with various health-promoting effects, it’s properties remain largely unknown in the West. This may be partially due to the fact that the bulk of research has been published in Slavic and Scandinavian languages.

Traditional folk medicine used Rhodiola Rosea to increase physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders. In mountain villages of the Republic of Georgia, a bouquet of roots is still given to couples prior to marriage to enhance fertility and assure the birth of healthy children. In Middle Asia, Rhodiola Rosea tea was the most effective treatment for cold and flu during severe Asian winters. Mongolian doctors prescribed it for tuberculosis and cancer. For centuries, only family members knew where to harvest the wild “golden roots” and the methods of extraction. Siberians secretly transported the herb down ancient trails to the Caucasian Mountains where it was traded for Georgian wines, fruits, garlic, and honey. Chinese emperors sent expeditions to Siberia to bring back the “golden root” for medicinal preparations.

Rhodiola Rosea has also been used as an astringent and for the treatment of hernia, leucorrhoea (vaginal discharge), hysteria, and headache. In 1755 Rhodiola Rosea was included in the first Swedish Pharmacopoeia. Vikings used the herb to enhance their physical strength and endurance. German researchers described the benefits of Rhodiola Rosea for pain, headache, scurvy, hemorrhoids, as a stimulant, and as an anti-inflammatory.

There are still more scientific studies being held in which scientists are exploring its diverse physiological effects. Future medical applications are being developed including medicines to treat diseases such as cancer and radiation sickness, and enhancing physical and mental performance.

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Natural Anti-inflammatories/Painkillers for Arthritis & Joint Pain

Your “golden” years are supposed to be the best time in your life. You work your entire life away and save money to enjoy the final years in retirement. But, many people can’t enjoy their time to the fullest because of arthritis or some other type of joint-related pain.

A lot of people think their only choice of relief is to take dangerous painkillers like Celebrex and Ultram. This is unfortunate. These types of drugs are sold by companies that put profits first, and patients second.

A recent study published in The Archives of Internal Medicine revealed that drug giant Merck quietly sat on information about heart risks concerning its pain-killing drug Vioxx for 4 years before they recalled it!
The drug was finally discontinued in 2004. Too many patients were dying from heart attack or stroke as a result of these drugs.

Dr. Harlan Krumholz of the Yale University School of Medicine and his team reviewed 30 different studies that were conducted by Merck prior to Vioxx’s withdrawal in 2004. Many of them were made available after the drug was banned by the FDA. Each trial was examined, one at a time. Krumholz found a strong, undeniable link between patients taking Vioxx and increased heart attacks and strokes dating as far back as the year 2000.

This study went through a rigorous peer review process before the findings were deemed “acceptable.” Then, Merck responded by issuing a statement saying, “The article published in The Archives of Internal Medicine… used unreliable methods and reached incorrect conclusions.”

The Wall Street Journal published an investigative article back in 2004 reporting that it had seen internal Merck emails sent between company executives. The emails expressed concern over Vioxx and the increased risk of heart attack. They go back as far as the late 1990s.

The message is clear, Stay away from prescription painkillers and their unwanted side effects.

Even over-the-counter remedies like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, are not completely safe.These are all known to potentially cause internal bleeding and liver damage. In fact, the FDA recently required all these pain remedies to come with a clear warning label making consumers aware of these risks. You don’t need to risk your life or your health in order to have a better quality of life. You can live pain-free naturally.

For starters, making small changes in your diet can help. Eating foods rich in omega-3’s like wild caught salmon, egg yolks, and grass-fed beef can help reduce the pain. Omega-3’s are a well-known and have proven anti-inflammatory properties.

You can also supplement with any of these three safe, all-natural pain fighters:

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) – This is the natural, bio-available form of sulfur. It’s been used for thousands of years to relieve aches and pains. In fact, Trojan warriors would soak in natural sulfur springs to heal their joint pain. No question, it works. Researchers at the Arthritis Health Center in Arizona tracked 50 adults with knee osteoarthritis. One group was given MSM. The other group got a placebo. Those taking MSM had a significant decrease in arthritis pain and improved overall physical function. The daily recommended dosage is 850 mg of MSM per day.

White Willow Bark – The use of this ancient joint remedy dates back to the Greek physician Hippocrates (400 B.C.). Its active ingredient is salicin. The same ingredient found in aspirin. The difference? Salicin is free of side effects. You can find white willow bark at most health-food stores. The daily recommended dosage is 240 mg per day.

GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) – This is commonly found in plant-based omega-6 fatty acids. Common sources include borage oil, evening primrose oil, and black currant seed oil. One study published in The Annuals of Internal Medicine found that patients taking GLA for 24 weeks reported 45% reduction in tender joints and 41% reduction in swollen joints. For maximum benefit, take 300 mg per day.

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