OLIVENOL™ livin' Malaysia

Are There Alternatives to Glucosamine and Chondroitin Therapy (GCT) for Arthritis?

In Malaysia, an estimated 60% of the population will have some form of arthritis by the age of 60, particularly osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other hand, affects a smaller percentage of our population and can affect all age groups.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most widespread type of arthritis, is a degenerative disease of the joints. Although sometimes capable of causing acute inflammation, it is most commonly a “wear-and-tear” disease involving degeneration of joint cartilage and formation of bony spurs within various joints.

Most people over 60 years of age have this affliction to some extent requiring them to seek medical care. The main goal of treatment is to relieve pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been widely promoted as a treatment for OA.

A cursory survey of any retail pharmacies or multi level marketing (MLM) product catalogues will yield a wide range of glucosamine and chondroitin variants. It accounts for the largest product category amongst all health supplements.

Research Findings

Laboratory studies suggest that glucosamine may stimulate production of cartilage-building proteins. Other research suggests that chondroitin may inhibit production of cartilage-destroying enzymes and fight inflammation too. Some human studies have found that either one may relieve arthritis pain and stiffness with fewer side effects than conventional arthritis drugs. Other studies have shown no benefit. 

As the research accumulated, expert review bodies have been cautious because, although positive reports outnumbered negative ones, the negative ones have been larger and better designed. In addition, whether glucosamine offers any advantages over established drugs such as acetaminophen, traditional NSAIDS, or selective Cox-2 inhibitors has not been determined.

The largest and best-designed clinical trial is the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), which is funded by the National Institutes of Health. So far, the GAIT has produced two sets of negative results. The study found that glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, did not reduce osteoarthritis knee pain more effectively than a placebo.

Actual Experience

These research findings mirror actual anecdotal experience of  millions of OA sufferers who are taking glucosamine chondroitin therapy (GCT).  The actual experience amongst those who are on GCT is neither overwhelmingly positive nor completely negative. Whilst many have found GCT to be effective to relieve their joint pains, a significant percentage who are on GCT for a long period (exceeding 6 months) continue to suffer pain.

According to Dr Marc C Hochberg from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in an article  titled “Nutritional supplements for knee osteoarthritis—Still no resolution”, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, “Three months of treatment is a sufficient period for the evaluation of efficacy; if there is no clinically significant decrease in symptoms by this time, the supplements should be discontinued. Furthermore, there is no evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin prevent osteoarthritis in healthy persons or in persons with knee pain but normal radiographs”

To study whether the glucosamine and/or chondroitin could diminish the structural damage of osteoarthritis, interested GAIT patients were offered the opportunity to continue their original study treatment for 18 more months, for a total of two years. About 570 patients enrolled. In 2008, the researchers reported that none of the treatment groups showed a significant structural benefit. There was no slowing of the narrowing of the joint space.

Why Doesn’t GCT Work For Me?

To understand why GCT does not always deliver the expected result, it is helpful to understand how glucosamine is supposed to work.

Glucosamine has been shown to speed up production of both proteoglycans and collagen and it normalizes cartilage metabolism which helps keep cartilage from breaking down. Due to the affect of glucosamine on cartilage metabolism it can in fact help the body to repair damaged or eroded cartilage. In other words, glucosamine strengthens your body’s natural repair mechanisms.

However, for any “repair” to take place, it assumes the pre-existence of damaged cartilage in the first place. If the damage has been left unattended for prolong period the degeneration process could result in total loss of cartilage. In cases like this, there is little cartilage left to be repaired.

The destructive process starts in the 30s and is accelerated by inflammation and injury, often accompanying aging.  The process of cartilage synthesis (repair and regeneration) is heavily dependent upon adequate nutrition and is also slowed with advancing age.

This is the reason why GCT is recommended for adults in the 30s as part of an effective preventive therapy.  OA sufferers who discover their symptoms in their 50s and 60s are less likely to benefit from GCT.

Chondroitin, on the other hand, protects cartilage and stops it from breaking down by retaining fluid and acting as a lubricant. If there is little cartilage to start with, the effect of chondroitin is understandably minimal.

Pain Relief through Biologic Response Modifier

The most effective method for osteoarthritis pain relief is any treatment that reduces inflammation. One class of treatment called “biologic response modifier” (BRM) reduces inflammation in the joints by blocking the action of a substance called tumor necrosis factor tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is a protein of the body’s immune system that triggers inflammation during normal immune responses; however, when overproduced, TNF can lead to excessive inflammation such as that experienced by patients with arthritis both RA and OA.

Within this class of treatment, available medications include ETANERCEPT and INFLIXIMAB. These medicines are now increasingly being used in long term and severe cases, but they are expensive and need to be given by injections.

Natural Biologic Response Modifier

There are also numerous natural treatments and herbs which effectively relief pain in the same manner as synthetic BRM. Amongst them are boswellia tree extract, celadrin, devil’s claw, cat’s claw, evening primrose herb, ginger, turmeric and olive phenols. The best part? Many of these natural treatments have little or no side effects.

Amongst these natural BRMs, the most researched and best documented is olive phenols. Although its chemical structure is quite different from the anti-inflammatory compounds in non-steroidal drugs, olive phenol’s anti-inflammatory component has a similar effect.

A 50 gram dose (about 4 tablespoons) of extra-virgin olive oil supplies enough phenols to produce an effect equivalent to that of about 10% of the ibuprofen dose recommended for adult pain relief.

 

Getting Olive Phenols Minus the Oil.

OLIVENOL™  livin’  is a cost effective class of phenolics that acts as biologic response modifier. Its active ingredient, Hydroxytyrosol, reduces hs-CRP, CRP and acts as a non-toxic agent to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines. There is a wide body of medical publication on studies and control trials showing evidence on OLIVENOL™  livin’ in this class of treatment for indications associated with RA and OA.

One single capsule of OLIVENOL™  livin’ contains the phenolic quantity you find in 6oz of extra virgin olive oil.  The high potency BRM and pain relief effect from olive is delivered to the human body without fats and calories.

A Viable Alternative

Given the limitation of glucosamine and chondroitin on a large segment of OA and RA sufferers, there is a need to explore other safe alternatives.

Since its launch in April 2008 at Prince Court Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, OLIVENOL™ livin’ stands out as strong treatment of choice for OA and RA patients

Few, if any, products could pass the rigorous scrutiny by the medical profession to obtain consent to use a medical facility as a launch venue.  It was possible only because of the wide body of scientific data and clinical findings such as the double-blind placebo trial on the effectiveness of the product to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve mobility of patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

After having been in Malaysia for more than a year, several thousand people are now benefitting from the multi-patented multi-action formulation of OLIVENOL™  livin’ on a daily basis. If you are still searching for an alternative to relieve your arthritic pain, join the thousands who have discovered OLIVENOL™  livin’. What is effective for them maybe the solution you need.

References

   1. Update on glucosamine for osteoarthritis. Medical Letter 43:111-112, 2001.

   2. Clegg DO and others. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. New England Journal of Medicine 354:795-808, 2006.

   3. Hochberg MC. Nutritional supplements for knee osteoarthritis—Still no resolution. New England Journal of medicine 354:848-850, 2006.

   4. Sawitzke AD and others. The effect of glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate on the progression of knee osteoarthritis: A report from the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism 58:3183-3191, 2008.

   5. Reichenbach S, and others. Meta-analysis: chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Annals of Internal Medicine 146:580-590, 2007.

   6. Messier SP and others. Glucosamine/chondroitin combined with exercise for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a preliminary study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 15:1256-1266, 2007.

   7. Product review: GLUCOSAMINE and CHONDROITIN. ConsumerLab Web site, accessed Jan 22, 2002.

   8. Product review: Joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM). ConsumerLab Web site, updated Sep 22, 2007.

   9. Joint remedies. Consumer Reports, Jan 2002.

  10. Vital Nutrients recalls Joint Ease & Verified Quality Brand Joint Comfort Complex because of adverse health risk associated with aristolochic acid. News release, May 24, 2001.

  11. Beauchamp GK, Keast RS, Morel D, Lin J, Pika J, Han Q, Lee CH, Smith AB, Breslin PA. Phytochemistry: ibuprofen-like activity in extra-virgin olive oil. Nature. 2005 Sep 1;437(7055):45-6. 2005.

  12. Bond R, Lloyd DH. A double-blind comparison of olive oil and a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil in the management of canine atopy. Vet Rec 1992 Dec 12;131(24):558-60 1992.

  13. Visioli F, Romani A, Mulinacci N, et al. Antioxidant and other biological activities of olive mill waste waters. J Agric Food Chem 1999 Aug;47(8):3397-401 1999. PMID:11320.

  14. Weinbrenner T, Fito M, Farre Albaladejo M, Saez GT, et al,. Bioavailability of phenolic compounds from olive oil and oxidative/antioxidant status at postprandial state in healthy humans. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2004;30(5-6):207-12. 2004.

  15. Bitler, C. M.; Matt, K.; Irving, M.; Hook, J.; Yusen, J.; Eagar, F.; Kirschner, K.; Walker, B.; Crea, R. Olive extract supplement decreases pain and improves daily activities in adults with osteoarthritis and decreases plasma homocysteine in those with rheumatoid arthritis. Nutr Res 2007, 27, 470-477.

  16. Bitler, C. M.; Viale, T. M.; Damaj, B.; Crea, R. Hydrolyzed olive vegetation water in mice has anti-inflammatory activity. J Nutr 2005, 135 (6), 1475-1479.

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Tags: arthritis, chondroitin, glucosamine, hydroxytyrosol, joints, OA, osteoarthritis, RA