John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

Last edition I asked why most New Zealand-made osteoarthritis support supplements have little or no chondroitin sulphate. The research in favour of CS is overwhelming. So much so, that CS is listed as a prescription medicine by the European Medical Agency. The daily dosage recommendation is 800mg, which is the dosage I use in my joint supplement where I combine CS with 800mg of Glucosamine and 100mg of Curcumin extract from turmeric.

Some experts suggest CS has more than 30 positive effects on joints. These are changes that create cartilage (anabolic) and those that prevent the destruction of cartilage (anti-catabolic). Cells called chondrocytes are responsible for repairing, maintaining, and secreting cartilage. They produce CS as it is an important part of both joint capsule fluid (synovial fluid) and actual cartilage.

CS is critical as it helps chondrocytes to repair damaged cartilage. If these cells are damaged or die, the cartilage they maintain will eventually disintegrate. The second role of CS is preventing loss of chondrocytes from damage by destructive enzymes and free radicals.

This is all great in theory but what are the impacts of adding therapeutic doses of CS in someone with advanced osteoarthritis? Earlier this year I was contacted by someone in her mid-70s with severe OA in one knee and moderately severe in the other. This affected her mobility and she was unable to walk for any distance. I started her on my standard OA programme based on an intensive dose of my joint supplement and Omega 3 fish oil to reduce inflammation.

After two months she noticed her knees were more comfortable. Now, after six months, the pain has significantly reduced, and she can now walk freely. For more information, give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz You can read my newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz