May is National Arthritis Month in the U.S. Every other month it seems that there is another study saying that there is or is not benefit to using glucosamine for arthritis. So, what is the scoop? It looks as though glucosamine sulfate does help with arthritis of the knee and possibly other joints.* It is theorized that it protects the joint cartilage. Studies have found that glucosamine has an anti-inflammatory effect and improved joint function.There are some studies to suggest that injecting glucosamine along with chondroitin in lumbar disc disease can help pain in the leg that results.In addition, glucosamine has been found to improve flexibility for those in rehabilitation for joint injury.

Glucosamine is taken as 500 mgs three times a day. It is also possible to find preparations that can be taken as 1500mgs once daily.There is ongoing research to see if glucosamine used topically is effective.

Glucosamine is relatively safe, however it is often made from shellfish such as shrimp and crab. In theory, those who are allergic to shellfish could be allergic to glucosamine.There is some question as to whether glucosamine can alter blood glucose by increasing insulin resistance. Abdominal discomfort, elevated blood pressure and palpitations can also rarely occur.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis,glucosamine may be helpful.It is relatively safe and may help reduce inflammation and protect your joint cartilage.You might want to check it out.

*Frestedt JL, Walsh M, Kuskowski MA, Zenk JL.A natural mineral supplement provides relief from knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Nutr J. 2008 Feb 17;7:9.

The truth is,who of us isn’t unhappy with our weight or shape?!

So, have you ever been tempted by those products that you can get in the drugstore or in a nutrition store, like GNC, with NO prescription, that claim to “melt the fat away,” “return you to your teenage weight,” or “slim you down by 6 sizes” in no time and  with no work on your part? If you were in a crowd and asked this, you probably would not raise your hand because you think you’ll look gullible and stupid, right? But, again the truth is, who of us has not at least thought about buying and trying one of those over-the-counter miracle weight loss products?

Ok, I admit it – I sure have. And recently too – summer before last. I not only thought about it, but I bought a month’s worth of the new wonder product “Hoodia” at a time when I was so frustrated with my appetite (for simple carbs mostly) and my weight. I should know better, shouldn’t I? BUT, I never took them because every time I looked at that fancy packaging and the unbelievable claims, and remembered that the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) has no regulatory powers at all over food products (which these are considered), so they have not been tested to see  if they work or if they are dangerous, I couldn’t take them.

What am I getting at here? One of the biggest selling weight loss products in the past few years has been “hydroxycut.”  Recently, the FDA has received at least 23 reports of people who had had bad health effects from hydroxycut, including one person who required a liver transplantation due to liver failure. Other adverse effects seen from this diet aid include heart problems and muscle problems leading to kidney failure.

The FDA is now officially warning consumers to avoid all products that contain hydroxycut. This diet aid is available in many formulations – including pills, drinks and powders – and can be the only product in a certain brand or can be combined with other diet aids into one product. So, if you have some weight loss aids at home, look at the label and do not take it if it contains hydroxycut.

Better yet, throw away any and all the weight loss products you have bought, and don’t buy anymore. What to do to decrease your appetite and to help your weight loss along? Try something novel: walk for 30 minutes per day and drink lots of fluids!

You’ve probably heard that taking a daily baby aspirin (81 mg) prevents heart attacks.But is that recommendation meant for everyone?

The answers are found in a March 2009 report by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published in The Annals of Internal Medicine (2009, March 17;150:396.) 

The first issue of interest is that a recent study showed no benefit of aspirin in the prevention of heart attacks in women, despite preventing heart attacks in men. But, a daily aspirin has been shown to prevent strokes in women. So, a daily aspirin is recommended for women to prevent strokes, but not necessarily heart attacks, as it is in men.

The other recommendations by the USPSTF concerning who should take a daily aspirin include:

1) women between the ages of 55 and 79, and men, ages 45-79;

2) women and men, with and without risk factors for cardiovascular disease ( such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol); and

3) those people whose risk of bleeding from the gastrointestinal track is less than their risk of having a heart attack or stroke.   

How to figure out that last part of the recommendation?  We know that a daily aspirin increases the risk of GI bleeding. That risk is increased even more in men, older people (over 80 yo), people with a history of ulcer disease or upper GI pain, and those who regularly take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen. Therefore, before simply popping an aspirin daily, you should discuss with your health care provider your risk of bleeding from the GI track; this is especially so if you are over 80 years old. Also, you should not take a daily aspiring if you are allergic to it.

Bottom line: a daily aspirin helps to prevent strokes in women and heart attacks in men, who are in the appropriate age range. If you are in the appropriate age range, and are not allergic to it, you should be taking a daily baby aspirin (81 mg) as long as the benefits outweigh the risk of GI bleeding. If you are younger than 55, but have risk factors for strokes and heart disease (a family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, to name a few), then speak with your doctor about your need to take a daily aspirin.