Abundant living with John Arts Abundant Health

My recent seminars included detailed discussion on osteoarthritis – also known as OA – and the many things we can do to help. My introductory point was that it is important to see osteoarthritis as a true disease process rather than just wear and tear.

An excellent research paper (Yudoh et.al, Arthritis Research Therapy 2005) took a detailed look at the processes that cause OA. In particular they studied the chondrocyte cells that maintain and repair cartilage.

What they found was chondrocytes are very susceptible to damage by free radicals. While free radical production is a completely normal part of our energy metabolism if these are unchecked by antioxidants cells can become damage and eventually die.

The researchers found over time free radicals damage chondrocytes to the point that they die. Once this happens, the tiny patch of cartilage it maintained will break down. Eventually this leads to loss of cartilage and subsequent narrowing of the spaces between bones.

More recent research confirmed accidental damage to joints triggers the same destructive process. Physical injury to joints increases free radical activity, which damages chondrocytes leading to cartilage loss. Mature chondrocytes have limited ability to reproduce.

This is why death of chondrocytes is central to cartilage loss in arthritis. Any successful treatment must address the real cause which is adding the antioxidants that can neutralise the free radicals that damage joints.

One of my clients had diagnosed OA in his spine but unfortunately could no longer tolerate anti-inflammatory medication. I firstly put him on my multi-mineral/multi-antioxidant and double doses of my high chondroitin joint formula. Within three months the back pain had largely gone and was much more comfortable.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz Join his full weekly newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz