Arthritis

A noncommunicable disease is one that cannot be spread. They are not contagious. Most noncommunicable diseases are caused by hereditary factors, lifestyle choices, or just genetic abnormalities. Some of the top noncommunicable diseases are:

1. Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints in the body, there are many types
2. Asthma: Inflammation in the airways, difficulties breathing
3. Cancer: Abnormal cell growth in the body, there are many types of cancer that effect both men and women of all ages
4. Hypertension: High blood pressure
5. Diabetes: High sugar (glucose) levels
6. Depression: Feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, loss of energy, death or suicide thoughts, maybe even some weight changes
7. Alzheimer's: Affects older adults, memory loss occurs
8. Osteoporosis: low bones mass, weakness
9. Heart disease: Includes angina, heart attack, congenital heart disease, heart failure, etc.
10. Fibromyalgia: Problems with soft tissue in the body, pain in the tissues of the body

Glucosamine (C6H13NO5) is an amino sugar and a prominent precursor in the biochemical synthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids. Glucosamine is commonly used as a treatment for osteoarthritis, although its acceptance as a medical therapy varies.

Oral glucosamine is commonly used for the treatment of osteoarthritis.Since glucosamine is a precursor for glycosaminoglycans, andglycosaminoglycans are a major component of joint cartilage,supplemental glucosamine may help to rebuild cartilage and treatarthritis. Its use as a therapy for osteoarthritis appears safe, butthere is conflicting evidence as to its effectiveness.

A typical dosage of glucosamine salt is 1,500 mg per day. Glucosamine contains an amino group that is positively charged at physiological pH. The anionincluded in the salt may vary. Commonly sold forms of glucosamine areglucosamine sulphate and glucosamine hydrochloride. The amount ofglucosamine present in 1500 mg of glucosamine salt will depend on whichanion is present and whether additional salts are included in themanufacturer's calculation. Glucosamine is often sold in combination with other supplements such as chondroitin sulfate and methylsulfonylmethane.

In the United States, glucosamine is not approved by the Food and Drug Administrationfor medical use in humans. Since glucosamine is classified as a dietarysupplement, evidence of safety and efficacy is not required as long asit is not advertised as a treatment for a medical condition. Nevertheless, glucosamine is a popular alternative medicineused by consumers for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine isalso extensively used in veterinary medicine as an unregulated butwidely accepted supplement.

In Europe, glucosamine is approved as a medical drug and is sold in the form of glucosamine sulphate.

Clinical studies of glucosamine have consistently reported thatglucosamine appears safe. Since glucosamine is usually derived from shellfish,those allergic to shellfish or who have kosher concerns may wish toavoid it. However, since glucosamine is derived from the shells ofthese animals while the allergen is within the flesh of the animals, it is probably safe even for those with shellfish allergy.Alternative sources using fungal fermentation of corn are available.Another concern has been that the extra glucosamine could contribute todiabetes by interfering with the normal regulation of the hexosaminebiosynthesis pathway, but several investigations have found no evidence that this occurs. The U.S. National Institutes of Healthis currently conducting a study of supplemental glucosamine in obesepatients, since this population may be particularly sensitive to anyeffects of glucosamine on insulin resistance.Finally, in the United States, glucosamine is sold as a dietarysupplement, so safety and formulation is solely the responsibility ofthe manufacturer.

Glucosamine should not be used if you are experiencing a cold or ear/throat infection1.



1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucosamine

I do not know about a herb, but I do know about a food which has been said to help tremendously with pain and discomfort -- more than the pharmaceuticals in fact. This food is red cherries; with 17 different antioxidants, they are very good for you in many ways. They are a natural cox-2 inhibitor which should help dramatically with the pain. When regular cherries are not potent enough, they can be purchased in concentrated form in most health food stores.

Answer

I don't know if you would consider this an "herb" but it IS natural. From personal experience I have found tea tree oil to be most helpful in removing my severe headaches because of cervical arthritis in my neck. I rub it wherever my neck is tender turn out the light and sleep like a baby. It hasn't failed me yet and I have used it at least 8 month. Yes it has a fragrance - sort of a wintergreen- but no one has ever mentioned it. It is so good to not wake up with a head ache!

Salai Guggul is known to be effective. A good product with a combination of Salai Guggul and some other herb is Arthrid. More information on www.sindor.com. My mom and uncle are on it.

Your body ages because the cells in your body are deteriorating as you grow older.

Oxygen is essential for life, but it's also inherently dangerous, because it results in free radicals. The same process that causes a cut apple to turn brown or iron to rust is the cause of all chronic degenerative diseases and even the aging process itself, including wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots. This aging of the skin is an outward manifestation of oxidative damage or oxidative stress, which is occurring within every cell in your body.

Your immune system can also make free radicals to destroy pathogens. Some other things that can make free radicals in your cells include ultraviolet light (which is why people who spend too much time in the sun are more likely to get skin cancer and cataracts) and toxins such as tobacco smoke, air pollution, herbicides, and pesticides. While your body can neutralize some free radicals, all these stressors combined can be more than your body can handle, resulting in damage to your cells. On average, every cell in your body comes under attack from a free radical once every ten seconds. This damage tends to accumulate with age.

Every cell contains an enormous set of molecules called DNA which provide chemical instructions for a cell to function. This DNA is found in the nucleus of the cell, which serves as the "command center" of the cell, as well as in the mitochondria. The primary site of free radical damage is the DNA found in the mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy factories of the cell: small membrane-enclosed regions of a cell that produce the chemicals a cell uses for energy. The cell automatically fixes much of the damage done to nuclear DNA. However, the DNA in the mitochondria cannot be as easily fixed. Extensive DNA damage accumulates over time and shuts down mitochondria, causing the cells to die and the organism to age.

In ideal conditions, your body can handle a certain number of free radicals by using antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by giving them one of their own electrons. The antioxidant molecules don't become free radicals themselves by losing an electron because they are stable in either form (oxidized or reduced). They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to disease. Your cells produce the antioxidant enzymes glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and some others which neutralize free radicals naturally in the cell, but due to oxidative stress, your body may not be able to produce enough of these enzymes, especially as you age.

Every human body is made up of cells. These cells are constantly dividing. In each of your cells there are things called chromosomes, which carry all of your genetic information. Every time a cell divides (undergoes mitosis) these chromosomes have to replicate and split. Every time a chromosome is replicated and split, caps on the end of the chromosomes called telomeresget shorter and shorter, and eventually diminish altogether, causing the chromosome to fray, and ultimately leads to cell death.

We all have a predetermined age. Some of us could live to 100, others could live to 72. We can all max out our predetermined age by living healthy lifestyles - being free of stress, sleeping enough, eating healthily, and exercising. We can also shorten our lifespan by leading unhealthy lifestyles - not sleeping enough, poor diet, little/no exercise, high stress levels, substance abuse.

Autoantibodies can be prognostic markers of an erosive disease in early rheumatoid arthritis

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