Womens Health | Product Reviews » joint care

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

donna — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:33:14 +0000

Distinguishing Between The Two

Arthritis is the common term that is used to describe issues, diseases, conditions and disorders of the joints.

The two most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

What many people do not realize is that while the two diseases sound quite similar they are actually quite different in a few ways:

	Osteoarthritis	Rheumatoid arthritis
1	It is also referred to as ‘degenerative arthritis’.	It is also known as ‘polyarthritis’ or ‘inflammatory arthritis.’
2	More people suffer from this disease than they do from rheumatoid arthritis.	It occurs less frequently than osteoarthritis.
3	Osteoarthritis is where the cartilage weakens and the bone overgrows Often caused by daily “wear and tear.”	Rheumatoid arthritis is the swelling of the Joints connective tissues, such as the synovial membranes, which leads to the obliteration of the articular cartilage.
4	It is a non-inflammatory disease of thejoints which is categorised by disintegration of the cartilage of the joints and a toughening (sclerosis) of the underlying bone	It is a complicated inflammatory disease that generally affects joints and various other parts of the body.
5	Osteoarthritis is caused by natural ageing and joints are affected during this process. Other likely causes include obesity (being overweight), injury or trauma to joints, overuse of joints and in some case it can be a heredrity trait.	It is believed to be an “autoimmune disease” in which your body’s immunity attacks itself instead of tackling germs.
6	It is normally developed after the age of 50.	The onset of the disease can begin at any age but usually between the ages of 30 and 60.
7	It is caused by the deterioration of The tissue found inside the joints.	It is caused by swelling in the joints.
8	It involves the Cartilages.	The Synovial membranes (thin membranes between joints) are swollen and inflamed.
9	It is a degenerative disease predominantly of weight-bearing joints (normally the spine, hip, knee and also the terminal interphalangeal joints of the hands, but could affect any joint.)	It generally targets the wrists, fingers and Other synovial joints (elbows and knees for example.)
10	The hands and feet are usually affected first, but it can affect any joint in the body.	It commonly affects hips, knees, feet, and spine; hands are scarcely affected.
11	Osteoarthritis affects only joints, not internal organs.	Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints, tissues and a lot of internal systems of the body.
12	Usual symptoms include pain and inflammation over affected joints.	Typical symptoms consist of pain, rigidity, heat, redness, tenderness over affected joints.
13	Joints often feel tender but there is no warm sensation.	Joints do feel tender and also feel warm.
14	The pain often affects only one particular joint.	Pain is usually felt in in joints on both sides of the body (e.g., both wrists or both ankles)
15	Blood test results often come back as normal.	Blood tests can show signs of inflammation, anemia (blood deficiency)

As you can see Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are quite a lot different from each other, however there are some supplements available that can help to treat both of these conditions.

Provailen is a powerful natural herbal supplement that effectively treats both conditions and their varying symptoms.

Provailen works fast to get rid of pain, swelling, redness and loss of movement in both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Read More About Provailen

What Collagen Treatment should I Use

donna — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:02:39 +0000

How do we choose the correct Collagen product

Adding collagen into our bodies is a popular way of trying to reverse the aging process. Some people have injections of collagen to smooth out wrinkles. The collagen usually used for this purpose is from Cattle (Bovine Collagen). It will plump the skin and smooth wrinkles for a while but the effect is short lived (maybe a couple of months) as the collagen is usually absorbed into our bodies leaving the procedure needing to be repeated. These treatments do carry the risk of bloated or mishaped lips and faces if not done correctly. Some widely (and rather unfairly) publicised cases include those of actress Lesley Ash and Coronation Street star Lynne Perry.

A far more safer way to increase collagen in the body is by taking oral supplements. Depending on the type of collagen taken, these can help you with the smooting of lines and wrinkles, they can also help or improve the flexibility of our joints as we get less mobile with age.

How do I know what Collagen supplement is right for me

When deciding to take a Collagen supplement there are a couple of questions that you should ask

Is the Collagen pure, and where does it come from

Collagen comes frm two primary sources: Collagen from cattle (bovine) and Collagen from fish (Marine) . This type of Collagen is over 50% purer than the Collagen from cattle. It is also more expensive than the cattle alternative but as with most things, you do get what you pay for. Most top end cosmetics only include Collagen from Marine sources

Why do you want to take Collagen

If you are looking to improve your achy joints then type 1 and 2 are the ones to go for. If its aging or wrinkles on the skin that concern you, then take supplements containing mainly types 3,4 and also 7.

There are preparations available that contain both types 2 for the joints and types 3 and 4 for the skin, if at all possible try and purchase supplements that contain Marine sourced Collagen.

Collagen treatments can be purchased both from the high streets and from specialist on-line retailers. One of these recommended retailers is Evolution Slimming.

Visit The Evolution Slimming Website

More information on Collagen

Is Collagen Essential To Our Well Being

donna — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:16:06 +0000

Collagen-do we need it

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a naturally occuring protein that accounts for approaching 80% of the body’s skin,connective tissue and muscles. As we get older it is the reduction of collagen in the skin that is thought to be the main reason that lines, bags and wrinkles occur, our joints also rely on natural collagen to ensure that they stay effective and work smoothly

What Does Collagen Do?

Collagen naturally contains glucosamine and chondroitin which help to maintain healthy joints. It does this by attracting fluid back into the spaces around joints to cushion the bone, and also by rebuilding cartilage

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From the age of 25, it is estimated that a womens body loses collagen at a rate of 1.5% per annum, working at this formula, by the age of 35, your body will have lost 15% and by the time you reach 45 you will have lost 30% of the natural collagen.

This is when you really start to notice a change in your skin’s elasticity and texture. If you want to try and maintain your looks and facial structure, It is essential that a correct collagen balance in the body is maintained.

Can I replace the loss of collagen?

Taking capsules containing collagen can improve the structure and health of the hair and nails, it can also help ease stiff joints

It can also help to replenish the skin reducing the visible lines and wrinkles.

There are many types of collagen supplements available.

Ease Menopause Symptoms With Starflower Oil

donna — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:20:34 +0000

Starflower Oil (Borage) and its benefits to women in menopause

What is Starflower Oil

Starflower (Borage Oil) is derived from the seeds of the borage (Borago officinalis) plant, a large plant with blue, star-shaped flowers found throughout North Africa, Europe and North America.

The oil is a rich source of the Omega 6 fatty acid GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid).

We dont usually get sufficient quality GLA from our general diet. The most common sources of gamma linolenic acid are found in evening primrose oil, borage seed oil, and blackcurrant seed oil. Some gamma linolenic acid can be manufactured within the body, mainly from linoleic acid which is found in some plant oils, but this can be reduced by varous factors, including vitamin deficiencies, and poor lifestyle such smoking, alcohol consumption, a bad or high fat diet, and certain medications.

Until recently, These supplements were made mainly from evening primrose oil, but Starflower or Borage oil has been shown to contain many times the levels of gamma linolenic acid than found in this oil.

What Does Starflower Oil Do

Help to maintain a healthy endocrine system and normal hormone levels in particular in Menopausal women.

Should help to maintain healthy skin.

and help to maintain healthy and flexible joints.

Gamma linolenic acid, as found in this oil is also important in healthy inflammatory and immune response functions.

Starflower Oil is available from various high street stores and can conveniently be bought on line from reputable suppliers such as HealthSpark