Arthritis is a painful condition that causes the joints to become inflamed and – in several cases when they become painful, swollen and contorted – develop into severe disability. There are many different types of Arthritis but Osteoarthritis – where the smooth layers of cartilage that cover and cushion the ends of the bones become rough, brittle and inflamed and gradually break down – is the most common type affecting 75 percent of all cases. Joints most commonly affected are the knees, hands, hips, feet & spine, and symptoms include stiffness, pain, swelling and inflammation. In extreme cases, sections of cartilage break off, causing the bone ends to rub against each other or strain the ligaments. The second most common type is Rheumatoid arthritis where inflammation often occurs in the membranes of the joints, which become swollen. The disease varies greatly in its severity, from very mild forms to severe conditions that permanently damage joints, cartilage and bone. The precise cause of this condition is still unknown, although it seems to be associated with an over-activity of the immune system.
While no drug has been found to cure arthritis, many drugs reduce pain and inflammation, and some have shown promise in slowing the progression of the disease. The arsenal of drugs being used to provide relief from the debilitating symptoms of arthritis include Analgesics, or painkillers, as well as corticosteroid therapy, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), immuno-suppressants, biologic response modifiers, and drugs genetically engineered to interfere with the immune response. All of these types of drugs can cause serious lifetime side effects.
Since its discovery in 1974, Green Lipped Mussel Extract (GLME) has now been subjected to more than forty years of quality scientific research and proven in laboratory and clinical trials, to be effective in treating both rheumatoid and osteo forms of arthritis. The reason for the benefit is that GLME contains anti-inflammatory agents, immune modulators and many essential building blocks – proteins, minerals, glycosaminoglycans and marine long chain fatty acids – all naturally occurring substantial therapeutic agents known to maintain joint mobility & wellbeing and needed to rebuild collagen, proteoglycans and synovial fluid found in the joints, ligaments and tendons.
The benefit comes as relief from pain and improvement in general mobility. Usually the improvement in these conditions is gradual and progressive; it is also usually long lasting and not temporary. Normally, the first thing to be noticed is a reduction in pain, which is then followed by gradual improvement in grip strength, freedom of movement or other mobility. Besides, it does not have the classical adverse side effects generally associated with drug therapy.
GLME is manufactured by Vitaco Health (NZ) ltd in a multi-million dollar manufacturing facility located in Auckland and is available in India through their Authorised representatives – Perma Healthcare. The cost for this therapy of 1000mg/day comes to approx. Rs 50/- per day for first three months, which can be later reduced to 500 mg/day, i.e. ~Rs 25/- per day.
