Heavre Facrs & Figures Say Goodbye To Aching Joints With Tips From “The Arthritis Cure” (NAPSA)—Lucille Ball, the queen of comedy, lived with arthritis since she was a teenager —a surprising fact about a woman whose “Lucy” character required vigorous physical comedy. If you are one of the millions that experience joint discomfort, Lucille Ball’s legacy is an inspiration to live life to the fullest and enjoy an active lifestyle. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 70 million Americans have some form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and with an estimated annualcost for treatment and lost wages at $95 billion, the U.S. government is paying attention to treatment options beyondprescription drugs. According to Dr. Jason Theodosakis, an Assistant Clinical Pro- fessor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and author of The New York Times bestseller, The Arthritis Cure, “The research on SAMe as a treatment for osteoarthritis pain is compelling. Osteoarthritis sufferers now have a safe and natural alternative for joint discomfort.” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) released a report in late 2002 confirming that the dietary supple- ment SAMe (“SAMMY”), short for S-adenosylmethionine, shows promise as an alternative treatment to over-the-counter drugs for osteoarthritis pain. As a result, the government has issued $17.25 million in funding to further research on SAMe. SAMeis a naturally occurring compoundfoundin all living organisms and is involved in manybiochemical processes. Unfortunately, significant amounts of SAMe may not be available through diet alone and SAMedeclines as people age, so supplementation may be a benefit. SAMerelieves joint discomfort by helping to maintain joint carti- lage which naturally deteriorates with physical activity and age. It’s available in a product called Nature Made SAM-e. Compared to the side effects of aceta- minophen and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories) such as kidney disorders and stomach ulcers, SAMe has few Researchers link overweight with osteoarthritis but a dietary supplement may help. side effects. Dr. Theodosakis also recommends dietary supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) to help repair damaged joints and maintain joint flexibility. Glucosamine keeps cartilage connected, chondroitin keeps joint fluids flowing and MSM helps maintain ligament structure. These three ingredients are found together in a product called Nature Made TripleFlex. A product called Nature Made Joint Action provides the benefits of SAMe and glucosamine together in onetablet. Healso offers these four tips: Keep moving. Exercise keeps the nourishing fluid flowing into the afflicted joint and reduces pressure on the joint by strengthening supporting structures. e Eat a healthful, balanced diet. For example, fish or flax seed oil can reduce inflammation. Maintain your ideal body weight. Excess pounds are bad for weight-bearing joints. Take dietary supplements, such as SAMe, glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM, to ease pain and help to repair damaged joints and maintain joint flexibility. Discuss options with your doctor and use a recognized name brand. For more information about dietary supplements for joint health, visit www.naturemade.com or call 800-276-2878.
