Posts Tagged ‘RA’
The Agony of Arthritis: Overcoming the Pain
This article is our 3rd installment in our series of articles on My Untold Story – The Agony Of Arthritis. Yet again, we are able to share with you moving letters from our consumers who have found OLIVENOL livin’ effective.
Here is a story by Mr KC Chan, 48, from Subang Jaya who shared the “two-in-one” beneficial experience about himself and also his wife.
Continue reading The Agony of Arthritis: Overcoming the Pain
When Glucosamine and Chondroitin Does Not Work for You…
In the past week since we reported the story of Mr and Mrs Chan in this article, we received hundreds of emails and phone calls from arthritic sufferers with a common theme of enquiry.
Majority of you were diagnosed RA and OA sufferers and have relied on the prevalent supplementation of glucosamine-chondroitin for pain relief. Your collective experience were that your supplementation regime even at the highest dosage of 1500mg glucosamine and 1200 chondroitin daily provided little or no relieve to your pain. Could OLIVENOL livin serve as an effective replacement for your current treatment, you wanted to know.
Before we answer this question, I wish to draw your attention to 2 recent publications which may shed some light on the efficacy (or lack thereof) of glucosamine-chondroitin therapy (GCT) for arthritis.
Study 1: Daniel O. Clegg, Domenic J. Reda, et.al., “Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and the Two in Combination for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis“, The New England Journal of Medicine, February 23, 2006, Volume 354:795-808, Number 8.
The link to the publication can be found here http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/8/795
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are used to treat osteoarthritis. The multicenter, double-blind, placebo- and celecoxib-controlled Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) evaluated their efficacy and safety as a treatment for knee pain from osteoarthritis. It involved 1583 patients one of the largest study of this kind.
I quote the conclusion from this study:
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate alone or in combination did not reduce pain effectively in the overall group of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Exploratory analyses suggest that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may be effective in the subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00032890 [ClinicalTrials.gov] .)
Study 2: R.M. Rozendaal, B.W. Koes, et.al., “Effect of Glucosamine Sulfate on Hip Osteoarthritis. A Randomized Trial.” Annals of Internal Medicine, Feb 2008, (volume 148, pages 268-277).
The link to this second study can be found here: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/summary/148/4/268
The second study examined 222 patients with hip arthritis receiving either 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate or a placebo pill daily for 2 years.
The conclusion made by the examiners, I quote:
Pain, ability to do normal activities, and joint space narrowing did not differ between patients who received glucosamine and those who received placebo.
This article has been cited by other articles:
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B. J. Epstein and J. R. Taylor Osteoarthritis: An Update on Data Currently Reshaping Practice Journal of Pharmacy Practice, February 1, 2009; 22(1): 75 – 85.
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All you need to read in the other general journals BMJ, March 1, 2008; 336(7642): 472 – 473.
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J. W.J. Bijlsma and F. P.J.G. Lafeber Glucosamine Sulfate in Osteoarthritis: The Jury Is Still Out Ann Intern Med, February 19, 2008; 148(4): 315 – 316.
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Why Doesn’t GCT Work For Me?
To understand why GCT does work for everyone, you need to first understand the principle behind GCT. Glucosamine is supposed to be effective to promote regeneration of damaged cartilage in human joints. Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a normal constituent of glycoaminoglycans in cartilage matrix and synovial fluid, according to the Mayo Clinic. Doctors widely prescribe it for patients hoping to slow or prevent cartilage loss.
However, cartilage regeneration can only occur if the patient has sufficient cartilage to promote regeneration. Little of no regeneration will take place for those above 60 years of age, where cell/tissue regeneration is typically retarded due to aging.
Read more: “Glucosamine Doesn’t Work, Study Finds” – http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/02/glucosamine.html#ixzz0FeZ8RlUk&A
Understanding How OLIVENOL livin’ Works
Unlike GCT, the OLIVENOL livin’ delivers efficacy in a different way. 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 of studies and control trials showing evidence that OLIVENOL livin’ is effective treatment for indications associated with RA and OA.
For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
The source of pain in RA patients does not come from damaged tissues such as cartilage. Instead, pain arises from inflammatory attacks at mobile joints such as knees, lower back, neck, shoulders and elbows. GCT is therefore worthless to RA patients. OLIVENOL livin’ on the other hand, is effective to regulate immune system signaling reducing frequency and severity of attacks.
For Osteoarthritis (OA)
For OA patients, the blocking of inflammation episodes is one immediate benefit from OLIVENOL livin. Adding OLIVENOL livin to the regular GCT has been found to promote synergistic bio chemistry in the body that promotes cartilage regeneration.
In 2005, the Arizona State University conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the effects of OLIVENOL™ livin’ on 100 patients aged from 55 to 75 years, suffering from Osteoarthritis (OA) & Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The trial employed a double blind placebo protocol where patients were not aware of what they were consuming.
The summary findings showed OLIVENOL™ livin made significant improvement in relieving pain, reducing inflammation and improving movement, as reported by both patient and physician. Click to download the full published report from >> HERE <<
When Glucosamine and Chondroitin Does Not Work For You.
As explained, recent large scale studies have cast doubt on the clinical efficacy of GCT for arthritis. If you are one of those who find your arthritic pain does not improve with glucosamine chondroitin supplementation, you now know that your experience is not unique. Thousands of other sufferers continue to suffer pain like you, despite trying the most expensive and “best and unique” formulation of Glucosamine Chondroitin.
Well, when glucosamine and chondroitin does not work for you.. there is always OLIVENOL livin!.
If you are member of any RA / OA support group, share this article with members of your group. One of the easiest way to do it is to share with all your FaceBook friends. To share, all you need to to is to click on the FaceBook sharing link below.
Treating Arthritis: OTC Supplements vs Prescription Medications
The Agony of Arthritis: OTC Supplements vs Prescription Medications
A survey conducted by Caravan Opinion Research among Orthopaedic Surgeons in the US shows they view “over-the-counter” (OTC) supplements as an effective alternative to prescription medications.
These specialists say an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment can be an effective alternative to prescription medication. According to new survey results unveiled of more than 250 orthopedic surgeons, 70 percent of those surveyed say they recommend OTCs most often as a first line treatment option to their patients with minor arthritis pain.
The survey was conducted to measure how recent news about the safety of pain relievers has affected the way orthopedic surgeons recommend medications for minor arthritis pain.
Orthopedic surgeons are specialists in the treatment of bone and joint disorders, including arthritis. The survey is a collaborative effort by colleagues at Florida Hospital, David D. Dore, M.D., Medical Director of The Joint Replacement Center at Celebration Health and James Rippe, M.D. of the hospital’s Rippe Lifestyle Institute.
“Given all the recent negative news, I think physicians are being more cautious about using prescription pain relievers that may increase their patients’ risk for serious health issues,” said Dr. Dore. Almost all (90 percent) specialists surveyed report that they have decreased their use of COX-2 prescription medications and increased their use of OTCs.
Among this group, 91 percent named easy dosing with fewer pills as a top reason they believe Aleve to be the most effective OTC pain medication while 81 percent named long-lasting relief as a top reason.
“I always tell my patients to start with an OTC medication and the results of the survey show that most orthopedic surgeons seem to agree,” said Dr. Rippe. “Furthermore, I think you’d find similar results among other specialists who treat people with arthritis. No matter what their specialty, doctors are looking for the same thing when recommending pain medication — efficacy and safety. Over-the-counter pain medications offer both.”
Significant Survey Findings
* Nearly all – 82 percent – of orthopaedic surgeons polled report that recent news about pain relievers has had an effect on the way they recommend pain medication for minor arthritis pain
* Based on experience, 97 percent of orthopaedic surgeons surveyed believe OTCs can be an effective alternative to prescription medication to treat minor arthritis pain
The Situation in Malaysia
Recent development shows that the situation in Malaysia is moving in the same direction. Orthopaedic Surgeons and Rheumatologist have started to recommend OTCs supplementation as a first line alternative treatment for the same reasons.
OLIVENOL livin’, a patented extract from olive juice has established itself as one of the top OTC product used in the treatment of arthritis in several private hospitals in Malaysia. OLIVENOL is one of the few natural OTC supplement with strong clinical findings demonstrating its efficacy in relieving arthritic pain and increasing mobility of affected joints.
In 2005, the Arizona State University conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the effects of OLIVENOL™ on 100 patients aged from 55 to 75 years, suffering from Osteoarthritis (OA) & Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The trial employed a double blind placebo protocol where patients we not aware of what they were consuming.
The summary findings showed OLIVENOL™ made significant improvement in relieving pain, reducing inflammation and improving movement, as reported by both patient and physician. Click to download the full published report from >> HERE <<
Discuss With Your Doctor
The next time you consult your orthopaedic surgeon or rheumatologist, ask him about OLIVENOL as alternative treatment to your conditions. There is a growing group of medical specialists in Malaysia who are using OTC supplementation such as OLIVENOL™ livin’ as treatment for their arthritis patients. Both patients and doctors are happy with the results on this decision.
We are telling these untold stories to the public in conjunction with a 3-month National Arthritis Focus Campaign. If you have any questions on arthritis or the use of OLIVENOL as treatment for arthritis, direct them to us. Arthritis sufferers need to know there is a better alternative treatment available to them.
Help us spread the word, share any article on our site you find interesting with your FaceBook friends. You will be doing your friends a favour.
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