The information in this article is for informational purposes only, and not intended as medical advice. Please read the medical disclaimer below, and consult your personal physician before taking supplements, and prior to acting on the information presented in this article or protocol.

Discussion

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the slick, protective, pearly white cartilage in the joints wears away, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain.  Cartilage is the smooth connective tissue that cushions the ends of bones involved in joints, allowing bones to glide over each other with minimal friction. Over time, the smoothness of the cartilage wears away and becomes rough and painful.  If not treated, eventually the cartilage can wear down to the bone, causing severe pain.  Although any joint can be affected, the joints affected most are those of the hands, feet, knees, hips, and spine.

Osteoarthritis occurs most often in older people due to the wear and tear to the cartilage that occurred over time.  With less cartilage on the end of the bones, there is more friction with movement, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain.  Pain and swelling cause a decrease in range of movement across the affected joints.  Small cartilage and/or bone fragments can become dislodged and float freely within the joint synovial fluid, causing even more pain.  Persistent joint inflammation may cause calcium deposits on the side of the bone, which build up and eventually become painful bone spurs.  Through this process, joints may become increasingly deformed.

Risk factors for Developing Osteoarthritis

• Age
• Joint injury (even healed, decades-old injuries increase the risk)
• Stress on joints over time (from job and/or sports)
• Obesity (excess weight causes excess stress on hips and knees)
• Cigarette smoking
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gender (women are at greater risk than men)
• Genetics (family history of osteoarthritis)
• Joint deformity
• Genetic cartilage defect

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting 10% of the American population. Worldwide, hundreds of millions of people are affected by osteoarthritis.  Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disorder, and unlike rheumatoid arthritis, only the joints are involved.

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

• Stiffness in a joint after periods of rest
• Swelling or tenderness to the touch in one or more joints
• A crunching or grating/rubbing sound or feeling in one or more joints with movement
• Pain with movement in one or more joints
• Loss of flexibility and decreased range of motion in one or more joints
• Bone spurs or growths on the side of the joints, which may or may not be tender

No single test is used to diagnose osteoarthritis, but other forms of arthritis are first ruled out, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout.  Since cartilage cannot be seen on an x-ray, the distance between bones, or the joint space, can be measured, giving an indication of how severely the cartilage may be worn down.

Cartilage

There are three types of cartilage in the body, differentiated by the amount of collagen and elastin fibers in the cartilage matrix, or composition —

• Elastic cartilage has many elastin fibers and makes up the outer ear.
• Fibro-cartilage has many collagen fibers and makes up the tendons, the intervertebral discs, and scar tissue.
• Hyaline cartilage has few collagen fibers and makes up articular (joint) cartilage. The hyaline cartilage is very smooth, allowing a near frictionless surface for bones to smoothly rub across each other without pain.

Chondrocytes are cells that produce hyaline cartilage from component molecules, such as hyaluronic acid and glucosamine.  Chondrocytes are dispersed throughout the cartilage, continually producing and replacing the hyaline cartilage matrix, or structure.  However cartilage is without a blood supply, making it difficult for rapid delivery of nutrients to the chondrocytes, and in turn rapid synthesis of new hyaline cartilage when needed, such as when the cartilage is damaged.

Oxygen and glucose are able to permeate into cartilage, to reach and nourish the chondrocytes so that they can continue their ongoing replacement of cartilage as it slowly deteriorates with normal daily wear.

However with traumatic injuries or chronic excessive inflammation, the rate of degradation of cartilage exceeds the rate of normal cartilage production. Excessive inflammation also reduces the chondrocytes’ ability to utilize hyaluronic acid and glucosamine to synthesize new hyaline cartilage material, accelerating the degradation process.

Surgical techniques are being designed to stimulate the growth of damaged hyaline cartilage, for example after a sports injury. Older people whose hip or knee joints have lost most of their cartilage and are living in pain often undergo hip or knee replacement surgery, as the damage to the cartilage outpaces the body’s ability to replace it.  These types of surgeries are so common that in the United States, there are about 7 million people now living with joint replacements. (1)

This article is about the use and effectiveness of nutritional supplements, along with appropriate joint exercises and the reduction of risk factors, in order to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.  It also addresses how to reverse the progression of the disease, allowing new cartilage to be replaced at a normal rate, so that those suffering with this crippling disorder may live pain free.

Oxidative Stress (Damage) Causes Osteoarthritis

Oxidative damage is the pathological process that leads to osteoarthritis. (2) Wear and tear to the joint cartilage over the years, or traumatic injuries, generate oxidative stress, or damage, which in turn creates excessive inflammation, which spirals into even more oxidative damage.  That is why the disease process, once present, actually accelerates without treatment.

The excessive rubbing of bones against each other within the joints wears down the cartilage, increasing the friction, which irritates and inflames the cartilage and surrounding synovial fluid and tissues. Involved in the inflammatory physiological reaction are numerous factors, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and macrophages.(3)  A cascading biochemical effect occurs, releasing hydrogen peroxide from macrophages, which causes even more oxidative damage to the cartilage and surrounding synovial tissues, leading to more inflammation, swelling, pain, and restriction of movement.

The oxidation-inflammation cycle creates a compounding effect, worsened by the fact that the joints are simultaneously bearing the body’s weight.  The more weight, the more potential damage to the cartilage.  The more systemic inflammation from diabetes, smoking, stress, etc., the more oxidative damage within the synovial fluid and tissues.

The biochemicals of the inflammatory process break down the formed cartilage at the surface, and reduce the production of new hyaline cartilage from the chondrocytes by inhibiting the body’s production of hyaluronic acid and glucosamine, the building block molecules of cartilage.

Antioxidants are the Antidote

Any time oxidative damage is involved in any disease processes in the body, antioxidants become the most effective antidote for further progression of the disease.

Since we simply cannot eat enough food to get therapeutic doses of antioxidants and other micronutrients, supplementation becomes a necessity. That is why a full spectrum of quality, potent, and pure antioxidants can be more effective than medications normally prescribed to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Other than vitamin C, which is very useful in combination with other supplements in the treatment of osteoarthritis, vitamin E is one of the best well-known antioxidants that provides benefits for osteoarthritis.

Studies reveal increased markers for oxidative stress in the blood and in the synovial fluid and tissues of the joints of patients with osteoarthritis.  Vitamin E not only decreases the oxidative markers in the blood and joint fluid, but also reduces pain.  (4)  In addition, vitamin E appears to protect the subchondral blood flow, to allow growth and repair of cartilage to slow down progression of osteoarthritis. (5)

Below I discuss other supplements that provide even greater benefit to those with osteoarthritis than vitamin C and E.  But first let’s consider how most people are treated.

Traditional Treatment

Most doctors will initially recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).  These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also be recommended.  However all of these drugs can cause serious side effects and damage if used chronically. 

For example, NSAIDs can cause gastric ulcers and bleeding, which may result in death.  They may cause ringing in the ears, high blood pressure, and liver, kidney, or heart failure.   NSAIDs and acetaminophen should be used rarely and sparingly unless one is recovering from surgery or trauma.  Due to the effectiveness of the safe supplement protocol for osteoarthritis I outline below, there is now no reason to use over-the-counter medications on a long term basis.

Doctors may prescribe stronger Cox 2 anti-inflammatory medications.  They usually do not carry the risk of gastric ulcers and bleeding, but various formulations of Cox 2 inhibitors have been associated with significant risks to the kidneys and heart, with one in particular (Vioxx) being pulled off the market after 5 years and tens of thousands of deaths just in the U.S. alone.  (6, 7)

Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fish oil, all provide synergistic benefits in reducing arthritic pain, while they promote healing, with the added bonus that they do not carry any of the risks associated with the medications.  They truly are the best route for any person who is concerned with reducing osteoarthritis symptoms and having better overall health.

Antioxidant nutritional supplements reduce oxidative damage, reducing the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis as they promote healing by stimulating hyaluronic acid production from chondrocytes.  They do not just mask the pain, like medication, they get to the root cause and promote healing.  In addition, rather than increasing the risk for serious side effects, nutritional supplements reduce the risk of nearly every chronic degenerative disease, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and many others. (8 – 13)

Supplements for Managing Osteoarthritis

I have already established that effective management of osteoarthritis includes protecting the cartilage and the joint synovial fluid and tissues from additional oxidative damage and inflammation in order to reduce additional destruction, while at the same time stimulating the chondrocytes to produce hyaluronic acid as a building block for hyaline cartilage that coats the ends of the bones within the joints.

The chondrocytes are continually producing hyaluronic acid for repair of cartilage, but with excessive oxidation and inflammation, combined with wear and tear on the cartilage, the damage exceeds the rate of repair.  In fact, the production of hyaluronic acid becomes suppressed.   This is what certain antioxidant micronutrients reverse.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Among the natural therapies for osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate is probably the most well known supplement, even if people do not know the differences between various brands, or even if there is a difference in potency, purity, and the combinations of ingredients provided in them.

Glucosamine sulfate is a supplement used to prevent and treat osteoarthritis, and it is also naturally occurring in the body.  Glucosamine stimulates chondrocytes to produce more proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, used to create the hyaline cartilage matrix.

With osteoarthritis, glucosamine synthesis is defective, and supplementation with glucosamine has proven to stimulate the production of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans for cartilage repair. (14, 15) Glucosamine also inhibits certain enzymes that destroy cartilage.  By blocking degeneration of the cartilage and promoting repair, glucosamine delays the progression of osteoarthritis and relieves pain and swelling.

As with most natural remedies, the therapeutic effect of glucosamine is not immediate, and the studies are mixed on its effectiveness when used alone.  I do not recommend the use of glucosamine alone for one reason: It may take up to 8 weeks to notice a reduction in symptoms. However once some symptom relief is achieved, the relief tends to persist for a notable time, even after discontinuation of the treatment. The probable reason for the delayed and prolonged results is that glucosamine is utilized in the process of rebuilding the cartilage itself.

Glucosamine is most commonly provided in combination with chondroitin.  A clinical trial reported in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases revealed that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate was as effective as the prescription Cox 2 inhibitor drug, celecoxib, at relieving the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. (16)

In this randomized, double-blinded trial, 606 men and women with knee osteoarthritis received 500 milligrams of glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) plus 400 mg of chondroitin sulfate three times daily, or 200 mg celecoxib daily for six months.  The reduction in pain was similar in both groups, just under 50%, and both groups experienced a greater than 50% reduction in joint swelling.  The authors concluded that glucosamine HCl + chondroitin was as effective as prescription celecoxib at relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis.  Although the symptom relief is similar, how about the long-term effects?

In an article published in 2010 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a lower risk of death from all causes was found among users of both chondroitin and glucosamine over an average 5 year follow-up period. (17)  The study included 77,719 men and women between the ages of 50 and 76.

Over an average 5 years of follow-up, 3,577 deaths occurred.  In their discussion, the authors remarked that chondroitin and glucosamine may inhibit nuclear transcription factor kappa-beta (NF-kB) dependent pathways, and that abnormal regulation of NF-kB is associated with cancer and inflammatory diseases.  The good news is, chondroitin and glucosamine are not the only micronutrients that inhibit NF-kB.  There are many, including supplements in the protocol I have listed below.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is produced by the body, it being a natural glycosaminoglycan found in cartilage. Studies evaluating supplementation with chondroitin show mixed clinical benefits in providing symptomatic relief from osteoarthritis.  Like many other micronutrients, chondroitin is able to provide an anti-inflammatory Cox 2 inhibition, but it does not appear to provide any benefit beyond that of a combination of glucosamine with curcumin, a micronutrient providing both antioxidant and Cox-2 anti-inflammatory effects.

On one hand, we have a study demonstrating that chondroitin sulfate was just as effective at reducing pain as the commonly used prescribed Cox 2 inhibitor, celecoxib. (18)  On the other hand, we have a meta-analysis of 13 systematic reviews, including 50 randomized controlled studies published in April 2017, in which the authors concluded that it was unclear as to whether chondroitin reduced the symptoms of osteoarthritis above that of a placebo. (19)

It may very well be that chondroitin works effectively with glucosamine, however it is difficult to ascertain from the studies as to whether chondroitin confers significant benefit beyond that of glucosamine, and particularly that of glucosamine combined with curcumin.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is naturally produced by the body, and used in the production of cartilage.  Supplemental glucosamine provides pain relief through Cox 2 inhibition and turnover, as well as other anti-inflammatory regulation. (20)  Glucosamine down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokine genes in joint synovial tissues.  This provides a second method to reduce inflammation other than Cox 2 inhibition.  (21)

Joint cartilage requires hyaluronic acid for production, and the synthesis of hyaluronic acid within the joint requires glucosamine as one of its main building blocks.  Supplemental glucosamine increases production of hyaluronic acid production by the joint synovial tissue, which may provide a third mechanism for pain relief for those suffering with osteoarthritis. (22) Glucosamine helps with cartilage repair, as long as oxidation and inflammation is kept under control.

Glucosamine hydrochloride (HCL) and chondroitin sulfate are two commonly used supplemental forms of glucosamine.  As opposed to glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine HCL prevents cartilage degradation and inflammation mediated by Interleukin-1α. (23)

Some have expressed a concern that the use of glucosamine could potentially elevate their blood glucose levels, particularly in diabetics. However there is no reason to be concerned, as glucosamine does not elevate blood glucose levels. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 407 overweight and obese women, glucosamine sulfate was not found to raise hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels over the course of 2.5 years among diabetic women, nor was it found to cause the onset of type 2 diabetes over the course of 6.5 years of use in non-diabetic women. (24)

Diabetics should feel confident about using a joint support supplement with glucosamine and curcumin, along with a grape seed extract, especially since the curcumin and grape seed extract could help reverse their type 2 diabetes.  (Please refer to my article on Diabetes.)

To maintain joint and cartilage health, and reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis, the repair processes need to exceed the degradation process.  Glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) appear to be successful in adjusting this imbalance in the direction of new cartilage synthesis.

Omega 3 fatty acids (Fish Oil)

The benefit of omega-3 fatty acids, or fish oil, is well known in the treatment of people who have osteoarthritis. Clinical studies have proved the value of omega-3 fatty acids in treating inflammatory conditions ranging from atherosclerosis to osteoarthritis.  In people who have osteoarthritis, increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and adequate intake of monounsaturated fatty acids such as those found in olive oil, can improve joint symptoms and reduce the need for medication.

Omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, have many health-promoting effects, including modulation cellular metabolic functions, supporting the cell membranes, and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.  The most potent of the omega-3 fatty acids containing oils are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are found in abundance in cold-water fish, such as anchovies and sardines.  However when supplementing with fish oil, it is critically important to choose a brand that is potent and pure, one that is free from highly toxic organic residues, such as dioxins and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are carcinogenic and neuro-endocrine disruptors.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in 2009 that involved 177 men and women with moderate-to-severe arthritis, participants were randomized to receive glucosamine either with or without EPA/DHA omega 3 fatty acids for 26 weeks. (25)  The final results were that both groups experienced reduction in joint pain and morning stiffness, with a slight, but significant superiority of the combination of omega 3 fatty acids and glucosamine.

The authors remark that while glucosamine sulfate improves cartilage metabolism and production, EPA and DHA further reduce degradation by suppressing inflammation, which reduces swelling and pain.  Although this is interesting, and omega 3 fatty acids should be used by everyone for many reasons, a much more effective way to reduce inflammation and swelling of the joints is to use curcumin with glucosamine, as well as grape seed extract.

Curcumin (Turmeric Extract)

Curcumin, or turmeric extract, is a powerful antioxidant and a natural anti-inflammatory compound extracted from the turmeric root.  It exerts its anti-inflammatory effects via Cox 2 inhibition and inducing expression and production of the anti-inflammatory, or immune-modulating cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and enhancing its action on many tissues throughout the body to reduce inflammation.  Due to its effect on IL-10, curcumin is able to reduce pain in the joints, and anywhere else it may exist.

Through these same mechanisms, curcumin is able to reduce the incidence of neuro-degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as inflammatory bowel disease and allergic responses anywhere in, or on the body.  Furthermore, through the induction of immuno-modulation of IL-10, suppression of angiogenesis, and induction of apoptosis of cancer cells, curcumin has been shown to reduce the spread of cancer. (26)

Due to the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects conferred by curcumin, this micronutrient is ideal to be used with glucosamine in patients with osteoarthritis to reduce pain and swelling while simultaneously promoting healing of damaged cartilage.

Meriva brand curcumin is a highly-absorbable form of curcumin.  It is encased in a lipophilic lecithin bubble, or phytosome. When the joint support supplement tablets dissolve in the stomach, the curcumin-containing phytosomes are released. The lecithin membrane of the phytosomes melds with the intestinal lining and allows the dissolved curcumin nano-particles within the phytosomes to be absorbed into the intestinal cells at least 30-times greater than standard curcumin preparations. (27)

In a 4-month observational study among 124 patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee, the combination of Meriva brand curcumin + glucosamine resulted in less pain and greater walking distances, compared to the combination of chondroitin + glucosamine. (28)   This is typical of the results I have witnessed among those to whom I have recommended the combination.

Typically people with osteoarthritis who follow my protocol notice decrease in pain within the first week, particularly if they add the grape seed extract. They continue to experience improvements in symptoms over several weeks to months. The quickness of the relief is dose-dependent. The higher the dose of glucosamine + curcumin, as well as grape seed extract, the faster and more complete the results.

Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects, which are exerted through multiple anti-inflammatory mediators, including inhibition of the Cox 2 enzyme. (29)  In the animal model, grape seed extract was shown to reduce inflammation and preserve chondrocytes and proteoglycans within the joints for the synthesis of cartilage. (30)  Like curcumin, grape seed extract provides protection of cartilage through reduction of oxidative damage and promotes healing, making it a perfect therapeutic adjunct to glucosamine and curcumin for osteoarthritis.

For over 22 years, I have recommended grape seed extract to those suffering with osteoarthritis.  As long as these patients and others used the potent and pure formulation at the appropriate dose, every person experienced significant results within a few days to a few weeks.  When they combined the glucosamine + curcumin with the grape seed extract and the other supplements in the protocol below, each one of them were surprised with how little joint pain and swelling they had, along with increased range of motion.   They also experienced an increase of energy and an overall greater sense of well-being.

Vitamin K (K1 and K2)

Vitamin K1 and K2 are both essential for human health. Vitamin K deficiency is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis. (31) Both vitamin K1 and K2 are necessary for preventing and slowing the progression of osteoarthritis, and as a bonus, K2 helps reduce arterial calcifications and cardiovascular disease and shows great promise in the area of cancer and diabetes prevention and therapy. (32)

Contrary to most doctors’ beliefs and practices, vitamin K is safe in combination with warfarin (Coumadin). Supplementing with vitamin K helps to improve INR control, by providing a biochemical “counter-balance,” which helps avoid swings in bleeding times and allows a rapid establishment of a stable warfarin dose. (32) Although a dose adjustment is necessary when adding vitamin K in supplemental form, once the proper warfarin dose is established, simply maintaining a constant vitamin K supplemental dose is both necessary and simple.

Conclusion

Osteoarthritis impacts the happiness and lifestyle of tens of millions of people worldwide with pain and swelling of the joints, and it cripples millions of others.  In the United States alone, hundreds of thousands of people receive hip and knee replacement surgery, costing multi-millions of dollars.  Not only could correctly used potent, pure, quality supplements reduce pain and swelling in those with osteoarthritis, they could save countless surgeries and millions of dollars.

Doctors are in the business of delivering health care. Should not risk-free nutritional supplements that reduce pain, suffering, and risky surgery, and improve the quality of their patients’ lives be considered “delivering quality health care?”  Vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids, and various antioxidants not only help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis, they promote healing of the cartilage and joints, as well as healing throughout the body, while reducing the risk of most chronic degenerative diseases.   This makes the protocol below not only the best “medicine” a person could possibly take for their joints, but the most economical health care plan, as the cost of the protocol is minimal compared to the cost of loss of mobility, suffering from pain, undergoing joint replacement later in life, and possibly developing cancer or heart disease.

Supplement Protocol for Osteoarthritis

After starting the appropriate protocol that best fits your needs, it is not uncommon to notice a reduction in pain and swelling within 1 to 3 weeks.  The reduction in pain and swelling, along with increased flexibility and range of motion continues to improve with continued use of the supplements.

A word of caution— just because you may not be having any pain does not mean the cartilage is healed. You may be tempted to do more activity than what would be reasonable for your condition, and then find yourself in worse pain, thinking that the supplements are no longer working, when all you did was create more inflammation.  The inflammation and oxidation can overpower the dosages of supplements.  If this happens, back off on the amount of exercise across the affected joints, and increase the dosages of grape seed extract and the joint support supplement.  Be sure to spread out the dosages throughout the day to avoid causing an osmotic, watery diarrhea.

After the pain and inflammation subside, continue the increased dosages for another 2 weeks.  Then you can go back to your maintenance dose and resume reasonable activities.  Although the pain may be gone, the healing of the cartilage, depending upon the amount of damage, may take up to one year.  After that time, you may be surprised how much activity you are able to do without experiencing pain and inflammation.  You will need to stay on the protocol if you wish to continue to enjoy the benefits.

The information in this article is for informational purposes only, and not intended as medical advice. Please read the medical disclaimer below, and consult your personal physician before taking supplements, and prior to acting on the information presented in this article or protocol.

Minimal Protocol for Mild Osteoarthritis

Basic Protocol for Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis

Average Protocol for Moderate to Severe Osteoarthritis

Advanced Protocol for Moderate to Severe Osteoarthritis

• • • AM: With, or after breakfast
    • Noon: At lunchtime with food, or shortly thereafter
    • PM: Late afternoon with food, or at, or after dinner
    • Joint Support Supplement that provides at least Glucosamine with Meriva brand Curcumin (Turmeric Extract), is extremely effective. People notice results more so with this supplement than with glucosamine and chondroitin. Meriva brand curcumin provides curcumin encased in lipophilic liposomes, which are readily absorbed, increasing the effectiveness considerably.
    • When taking more than 2 capsules of fish oil per day long-term, it is wise to boost your intake of zinc more than 20 mg per day, as high-dose omega-3 fatty acids can deplete your zinc levels.  There is 20 mg of zinc provided in a daily dose of the preferred mulit-mineral supplements.  Therefore, consider adding an additional 10 to 30 mg of zinc per day.  One option for purchasing a stand-alone zinc supplement, is with Douglas Labs.  If you register for a customer account by CLICKING HERE, (please use REFERRAL CODE 2074214) you can then search for “zinc,” and place an order for either 10 mg zinc lozenges (one per day), or order Opti-Zinc (30 mg), and take one daily, or one every-other day.
    • *Liver Support supplement that provides numerous ingredients, including N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), turmeric extract (curcumin), green tea extract, olive extract, broccoli extract, alpha lipoic acid, milk thistle extract, and biotin.  Although this product may be marketed as a liver support supplement, it also supports heart health, eye health, brain and nerve health, as well as supports the immune system.  It is listed in the protocol, as it also provides joint support, helping to reduce pain and assist in cartilage support, along with the other micronutrients.
    • *Probiotics, at least take 12 billion colony-forming bacteria, providing Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG® and Bifidobacterium BB12 every other day or daily.
    • Melatonin helps with sleep-wake cycles, and getting into deeper stages of sleep, but does not necessarily help you get to sleep.  It should not be considered a sleeping pill. It is also a powerful antioxidant, which works everywhere in the body, including the joints. It reduces inflammation in the brain and nerves, and also supports the immune system. It directly and indirectly, helps support joint health, and full-body youthful support.

     

Ingredients that I like to see provided collectively by vitamin-antioxidant & chelated mineral tablets

Vitamin A, mostly as Beta Carotene
Vitamin C
Vitamin D3
Vitamin E
Vitamin K (K1 & K2)
B-Complex Vitamins
Curcumin (turmeric extract)
Quercetin
Green Tea Extract
Olive Extract
Rutin
Resveratrol
Choline
Lutein
Lycopene
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
Calcium
Magnesium
Iodine (as potassium iodide)
Zinc
Selenium
Copper
Manganese
Chromium
Molybdenum
Including Ultra Trace Minerals

Ingredients I want to see provided by a “liver health” supplement:

Milk Thistle Extract
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Broccoli Extract
Turmeric Extract (Curcumin)
Olive Extract
Green Tea Extract
Biotin

Medical Disclaimer

Information on this website, written, spoken, or in any other communication by Dr. Ladd McNamara or any other information or reference is for informational purposes only. The information provided on this website is a result of years of practice, experience, and study by the author. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by someone’s personal licensed physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information on this website, or any other form of communication from Dr. Ladd McNamara or the Dr. Ladd VIP Program, for diagnosing or treatment of a health issue or disease, or for the prescribing of medication or the use of supplementation without a discussion with your licensed health professional first.  At best, the information provided on this website is only meant to supplement information provided by your own doctor or health professional, not to replace medical advice.  The information from this website is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or possible adverse effects of nutritional supplements with or without medications, or in conjunction with specific medical conditions.  The information from this website may not fit your specific health circumstances.  Never delay seeking medical care or disregard advise from your health care professional because of information you have received directly or indirectly from this website, from the Dr. Ladd VIP Program, or from Dr. Ladd McNamara himself.   Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your medication or embarking on a nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement program, or before using any treatment for a health concern.  If you have, or suspect that you have, a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly.  Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read or heard on this website, or due to any other information from Dr. Ladd McNamara or his representatives. Information provided on this website or the V.I.P. Program, and the use of any products or services mentioned on this website (or as a result of information provided this program, article, or website) by you DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Ladd McNamara, M.D.  Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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    21. Someya A, et al. Glucosamine Downregulates the IL-1β-Induced Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokine Genes in Human Synovial MH7A Cells by O-GlcNAc Modification-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms.  PLoS One. 2016 Oct 24;11(10):e0165158.
    22. Uitterlinden EJ, et al. Glucosamine increases hyaluronic acid production in human osteoarthritic synovium explants.  BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008 Sep 11;9:120.
    23. Bascoul-Colombo C, et al. Glucosamine Hydrochloride but Not Chondroitin Sulfate Prevents Cartilage Degradation and Inflammation Induced by Interleukin-1α in Bovine Cartilage Explants.  2016 Jan;7(1):70-81.
    24. Gommans YMM, et al. The Effect of Prolonged Glucosamine Usage on HbA1c Levels and New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Overweight and Obese Middle-Aged Women.  Am J Med. 2017 Jun;130(6):731-737.e6.
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