Vitamin D Deficiency Contributes To Cartilage Loss and Knee Pain

A simple blood test to determine Vitamin D levels may give the insight needed to determine whether a total knee replacement is in an individual’s future.   Cartilage loss or the term ‘bone on bone’ is the hallmark of osteoarthritis. However, “achieving vitamin D sufficiency in osteoarthritis patients could significantly delay total knee replacement,” said Dr.Ding, at the Menzies Research Institute in Australia.

Researchers found that patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis that have sufficient levels of vitamin D  have approximately 1.5 percent less loss of knee cartilage per year than patients with vitamin D deficiency.

The investigators measured levels of vitamin D in blood samples and knee cartilage volume on X-rays from 880 men and women who were 51 to 79 years old. Researchers then took similar measurements again almost 3 years later among 353 of the study participants.

Overall, 58 percent of these subjects that had Vitamin D deficiency showed changes in knee cartilage indicating worsening osteoarthritis between the first and second measurements, and half reported knee pain.

The study concluded that vitamin D deficiency contributed to lower knee cartilage volume and patients were more likely to experience knee pain.

Besides contributing to cartilage loss or osteoarthritis of the knee, Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause many other health problems.  It is worth getting your blood levels tested for Vitamin D, and fixing any deficiency in order to delay the progression of osteoarthritis and the need for total knee replacements.

If you suffer from knee pain due to cartilage loss, ‘bone on bone’, or osteoarthritis of the knee and you want to avoid a total knee replacement or you cannot undergo a total knee replacement due to other health problems then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer to your knee problem. Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is considered a complete treatment plan that combines low-level laser treatments (cold laser treatments), non-weight bearing exercises, and other modalities that promote rehabilitation of the knee.  Every patient’s program is different depending on whether they suffer from arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, meniscus tears, bursitis, tendonitis, Baker’s Cyst, post surgical arthroscopic knee pain, or a combination of the listed conditions.  If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also have programs available that can help most musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, sciatica, disc and nerve problems, hip, ankle foot, hand and wrist pain, etc…

Dr. Robert Hanson, an associate at the DFW Spine & Joint Center, offers a very successful non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional of the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area since 2001.”

Note:

Sources:
Mercola.com. June 16, 2009. Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Alzheimer’s Disease?
Reuters May 29, 2009.  Low levels of vitamin D are associated with the loss of cartilage in the knee joint of older individuals, researchers in Australia report.
Arthritis and Rheumatism May 2009; 60(5):1381-9

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Boost the Effectiveness of Glucosamine

Recently in the Journal of Advances in Therapy German researchers discovered that adding omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil) to glucosamine sulfate improves the symptoms of arthritis compared to just taking glucosamine alone.

One hundred seventy seven men and women diagnosed with moderate to severe hip or knee osteoarthritis were randomly placed in two groups.  The first group received glucosamine sulfate without omega-3 and the other group received glucosamine sulfate with the omega-3 fatty acid. Both groups took the supplements for 26 weeks.

Eighty percent of the group noticed a reduction in pain, 44% of those were from the group that received the combination of glucosamine and omega-3, and 32% of those were from the group that received only the glucosamine sulfate.

The authors of the study remarked that glucosamine sulfate improves cartilage metabolism, and omega-3’s help further reduce degradation of cartilage by reducing inflammation which ultimately helps reduce pain and swelling.

Note:  Glucosamine/Chondroitan/MSM should be used as a SUPPLEMENT to care. It is not a ‘cure all’ but if the correct dose and correct type of glucosamine is taken daily then you will notice a difference overall symptomatically.  (Please keep in mind that not all glucosamine is created equal.  This is a topic that I discuss with my patients because there seems to be a lot of confusion about it.)

If you have chronic pain in your knees due to arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, a meniscus tear, a Baker’s Cyst, tendonitis, bursitis, a knee injury, or unsuccessful arthroscopic knee surgery, and live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional of the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area since 2001.”

Women’s Health Magazine: Pine Bark Reduces the Need for Osteoarthritis Pain Meds By 58%

Pine Bark may reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis, a condition affecting about 12 percent of Americans between the ages of 25-74 in which the cartilage covering and cushioning a joint breaks down.  Patients who took 100 milligrams of pine bark extract daily for three months reduced their stiffness by 53 percent, their pain by 55 percent and their need for meds by 58 percent.  The bark acts as a potent anti-inflammatory, says Giannie Belcaro Ph.D., of Chieti-Pescara University in Italy.(1)

Including natural supplements like Pine Bark to your daily routine is something easy you can make to help ease osteoarthritis symptoms of the knee. Taking a Pine Bark supplement is safer and has fewer side-effects then prescription medications.  Unfortunately, taking supplements will not cure knee problems such as arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, tendonitis, bursitis, meniscus tears, Baker’s Cyst’s, or post surgical knee pain.  However, based on the study referenced above there’s a good chance that it will help mitigate your knee pain.

Along with taking supplements, include Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program as part of your knee care treatment regime.  This will allow your knee to have the greatest chance of recovery.   Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is considered a complete treatment plan that combines cold laser treatments, non-weight bearing exercises, and other modalities that promote rehabilitation of the knee.  Every patients program is different depending on whether they suffer from arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, meniscus tears, bursitis, tendonitis, Baker’s Cyst, post surgical arthroscopic knee pain, or a combination of the listed conditions.  If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also have programs available that can help most musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, sciatica, disc and nerve problems, hip, ankle, foot, hand and wrist pain, etc… Dr. Robert Hanson, an associate at the DFW Spine & Joint Center, offers a very successful non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional of the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area since 2001.”

1. Women’s Health, September 2008, Page 24

Start Eating Cherries, It May Help Ease Osteoarthritis Knee Pain

The Baylor Research Institute conducted a 12 week pilot study on a total of 20 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee. The study involved patients taking the equivalent of 100 tart cherries crushed in a pill form daily. The study found that after 12 weeks between 50 and 60 percent of patients experienced relief by taking just one pill a day. A randomized trial will be completed in 2010 to validate the pilot study. If the results of this study show that the patients who took cherry pills improved then this will give patients another natural option for managing osteoarthritis knee pain. (1)

If you’re searching for alternatives to managing your chronic knee pain because of arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, a meniscus tear, Baker’s Cyst, tendonitis, bursitis, a knee injury, or unsuccessful arthroscopic knee surgery, and live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional of the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area since 2001.”

1. Smith Amy Lynn. Cherry Picking (for Arthritis Relief). Baylor Health . January 2010; pg 5.

Vitamin D3: “The Next Cure-All Vitamin” for Joint Pain and Other Chronic Diseases

If your doctor hasn’t discussed the benefits of Vitamin D3 with you the chances are he will in the near future. At one time no one knew about the benefits of Omega 3’s and fish oil. Now virtually every doctor recommends supplementing your diet with them. Similarly, vitamin D3 is becoming the next ‘cure all’ supplement that has the research to back it up.

For instance, research indicates that knowing your Vitamin D level may actually be more important at determining your overall health and long-term health problems than cholesterol. Low Vitamin D levels are associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, most cancers, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, autism, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, frequent infections, colds and flu (1, 2)

If you suffer with knee pain you may want to consider supplementing with vitamin D3 because

Low Vitamin D levels can also promote the expression of chronic pain. Research indicates that bone pain, joint pain, muscle pain, and fibromyalgia can be exacerbated if there are low levels of Vitamin D3. (3, 4).

The only way you can get vitamin D naturally is by getting adequate sun. Most of us don’t get enough sunshine therefore most of us are deficient in vitamin D. In addition, virtually no food contains Vitamin D3 except oily fish consumed in large quantities in the traditional Eskimo diet.

Your doctor can test you to find out your levels of Vitamin D3. The optimal range is between 40-60ng/ml and most people who do not take Vitamin D3 are in the 10-30 ng/ml range. It takes about 2,000-4000 IUs to get the level of Vitamin D3 to 40ng/ml.

Adding Vitamin D3 to your arsenal of supplements is a simple yet effective change you can make especially if you’re suffering from chronic knee and joint pain.

If you have chronic pain in your knees because of arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, a meniscus tear, Baker’s Cyst, tendonitis, bursitis, a knee injury, or unsuccessful arthroscopic knee surgery, and live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional of the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area since 2001.”

1. Grant WB, Holick MF. Benefits and requirements of vitamin D for optimal health: a review. Alltern Med Rev. 2005; 10(2):94-111.
2. Cannell JJ, Hollis BW. Use of vitamin D in Clinical practice. Altern Med Rev. 2008; 13(1):6-20.
3. Holick MF. Vitamin D Deficiency: what a pain it is. MayClin Proc. 2003; 78:1457-59.

The Food You’re Eating May Be Making Your Knee Pain Worse

The foods you’re eating may actually be contributing to your chronic knee pain. The foods that cause inflammation and can often lead to chronic knee pain include refined sugar, refined grains, and flour products (bread, pasta, bagels, etc.), refined oils and red meat.  These types of foods make up approximately 80% of the average American’s caloric intake.  Even eating only 30-40% of calories from these foods is too much.  A diet comprised of these types of foods creates inflammation that will affect the knee joint and surrounding muscles causing and promoting further knee pain and suffering.

An anti-inflammatory diet is one you should consider if you’re suffering with swelling and chronic knee pain (especially from arthritis).  An anti-inflammatory diet consists primarily of vegetables, fruit, raw nuts, and healthy proteins such as lean meat, skinless chicken, fresh fish and eggs. In addition, a little bit of dark chocolate and red wine in moderation are also anti-inflammatory in nature.  The best oils to use include olive oil, coconut oil, and real butter.  A very popular oil supplement that should be taken daily is fish oil that contains omega-3 fatty acids, which is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Spicing your meals can also add a substantial anti-inflammatory boost.  For instance, ginger, turmeric, rosemary, oregano, garlic, coriander, have been proven to be anti-inflammatory in nature.  For instance supplementing with ginger was discovered to reduce chronic joint and muscle pain.

In summary, the food you’re eating may be promoting and exacerbating your knee pain so you may want to consider changing your diet as a natural way to help reduce swelling and pain in your knees.

If you are suffering with chronic knee pain, in addition to changing your diet you may want to consider undergoing Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program, which is considered to be a safe, effective, painless alternative to knee surgery, harmful medications and shots.

If you live in the Dallas or Fort Worth area and would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you today!

Article by Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.-Your Cold Laser Professional of the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area since 2001”