One-two-three punch for joint pain: create a powerful pain relief cocktail by combining Celadrin with glucosamine and chondroitin

Better Nutrition, Oct, 2006 by Vera Tweed

Mike Danielson's first thought was to save his daughter, as his 5-year-old started to slip out of a chair lift during a family skiing vacation. Sitting next to her, he quickly contorted his upper body while reaching around a pole and managed to pull her back to safety. Although it wasn't apparent at the time, averting one injury caused another.

During the next few days, Danielson thought he had pulled a neck muscle but continued to enjoy the winter slopes. Soon afterwards, excruciating pain drove him to seek medical help. Muscle relaxants weren't very effective and severely upset his stomach, and debilitating pain radiated down his left arm.

An MRI eventually revealed a raptured vertebra in Danielson's spine, a piece of bone lodged near a nerve root, and arthritis in his neck. Danielson declined surgery and instead chose an intensive regimen of physical therapy and supplements, including glucosamine and Celadrin. Working hard paid off. Before the summer began, he had resumed an active lifestyle that included cycling and golf.

When we think of joints, we tend to think of knees and elbows more than spinal vertebrae. Nevertheless, they're all joints and can respond to the same types of remedies. Three of these, glucosamine, chondroitin and Celadrin, may work synergistically to repair joint function and relieve pain.

How They Work

Glucosamine and chondroitin have been studied extensively, individually and in combination, for treatment of osteoarthritis. The most comprehensive study to date, supported by the National Institutes of Health and published in the New England Journal of Medicine last February, found that these two supplements together may relieve pain better than either one alone. The two remedies complement each other, according to Jason Theodosakis, MD, who first popularized this combination in 1997 with his first book, The Arthritis Cure, and was a member of the trial's steering committee.

A proprietary form of fatty acids, Celadrin has been studied in two forms, pills and a topical cream. Both can be used simultaneously. The use of glucosamine and chondroitin with Celadrin has not been examined in a clinical trial, but anecdotal evidence and a scientific rationale support the idea that Celadrin improves the action of glucosamine and chondroitin.

1 Glucosamine

"Glucosamine helps stimulate cartilage growth and slow down its breakdown," says Theodosakis, "to prevent cartilage loss." One research study showed that use of glucosamine by knee osteoarthritis patients for three years prevented joint space narrowing and, during the subsequent five years, reduced the incidence of knee replacement surgery by 73 percent.

2 Chondroitin

"Chondroitin likewise promotes cartilage growth and slows breakdown," says Theodosakis, "and it helps stimulate joint fluid, which increases shock absorption and lubrication of the joint."

3 Celadrin

Celadrin works on cell membranes, rather than the joints themselves, according to Robert Hesslink, Jr., PhD., whose research with the supplement has appeared in the Journal of Rheumatology and other publications. "It helps to regulate the membranes," he says, "and bring inflammation back into line." In clinical practice and in studies published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning, the topical cream can bring quick relief for acute flare-ups, and when taken in pill form, Celadrin can help to control pain on an ongoing basis.

What to Take

Use this quick guide to dosages as a cheat sheet:

Glucosamine: 1500mg daily

Chondroitin: 800-1200mg daily

Celadrin pills: 1000mg daily

Celadrin cream: Use topically as needed

JOINT HEALTH PRODUCTS

Numerous manufacturers offer the supplements discussed in the article "One-Two-Three Punch for Joint Pain." Here are some examples:

NOW FOODS Extra Strength Glucosamine & Chondroitin Joint Support Factors

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

NATURE'S PLUS GLUCOSAMINE CHONDROITIN Rx-JOINT

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

NATURAL FACTORS CELADRIN SOFTGELS

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

HOME HEALTH CELADRIN JOINT CREAM

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]