Arthrochron®

Basic Facts
Effects
Indications
Composition
Dosage
Side Effects/Contraindications
Instructions

BASIC FACTS

Arthrosis is defined as a degenerative disease of the joint cartilage. Its frequency increases with age and its progression is accelerated by obesity and lack of exercise. Arthrosis may start at the age of 30 years. At the age of 60 years nearly every human being experiences cartilage wear more or less in all joints, mainly in the knee and the hip. In persons who suffer from arthrosis the normal dynamic balance between the formation and degradation of cartilage is disturbed.

The result is progressive cartilage wear, which may be accompanied by severe pain. The more damaged the sites are, the greater is the pain and the greater the deformation of joints – up to complete loss of function. Arthrosis has been considered incurable so far. In most cases the symptoms could be relieved only by inserting an artificial joint.

However, arthrosis is not merely an age-related fateful disease of joint wear that can only be treated by pain-killers and operations. The underlying causes are frequently undernourishment of the organism in respect of the important components required for the formation of cartilage. One food supplement that provides the body with the nutrients required by cartilage can effectively prevent the degradation of cartilage mass in joints because recent investigations show that the cartilage mass can be regenerated and also achieve greater smoothness.

EFFECTS

It appears that, with increasing age, the body loses its ability to produce adequate quantities of glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. Weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, and also the wrists and shoulders are most frequently affected by arthrosis. It leads to the destruction of cartilage mass, indurations and the deposition of large bone spurs at the joint margins. The results are pain, deformation and limited mobility.

Glucosamine: The main components of joint cartilage are glucosaminoglycans (amino sugar complexes); glucosamine is one of their constituents. Glucosamine is an amino sugar, a derivative of glucose. The more the body has of this substance, the more glucosaminoglycans (and therefore cartilage mass) are produced. Quite often, sufficient quantities of glucosamine cannot be produced by the body on its own or be ingested with food, because it is present in the joint cartilage of all living beings but is not available in this form in our daily food, and high concentrations of it are only contained in shellfish. Therefore, it has to be administered to the body as a supplement. Glucosamine is available in several stabilized forms with mineral salts. The sulfate form is the preferred form of administration as it is the most extensively investigated.

Chondroitin: Chondroitin is a further component of glycans, which are very important for the formation of cartilage. Its basic structure contains a further aminosaccharide, namely galactosamine. Chondroitin gives the joint cartilage its structure, is responsible for its water-binding capacity and the permeability of nutrients. The latter is especially important, as cartilaginous tissue does not contain any blood vessels and is nourished passively by diffusion alone. Chondroitin plays a role in the restoration of joint function, arthrosis and even fracture healing, as many trials have shown. Quite often, sufficient quantities of chondroitin cannot be produced by the body and or be ingested with food, and also has to be administered to the body as a supplement because the only source of sufficient chondroitin is animal cartilage.

Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is the main component of joint fluid (synovial fluid). Significant quantities of hyaluronic acid are also found within the joint cartilage. Hyaluronic acid belongs to the group of glucosaminoglycans and is therefore a high-molecular substance. In other words, it is a substance composed of very long molecular chains. Such long molecular chains usually cannot be absorbed by the body. Therefore, hyaluronic acid is used in a special hydrolyzed form, which leads to significantly better absorption of the substance.

MSM: MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is also termed «organic sulfur» and is one of the main sources of sulfur in our food. It is found in nearly all foodstuffs (milk, fruit, vegetables, grain, meat, fish, etc.) but is destroyed by heating. MSM has an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect and is involved in the regeneration of cartilage and connective tissue. In other words, it enables the body to restore destroyed cells and tissue structures and therefore helps to maintain the functioning capacity of the entire musculoskeletal system.

Zinc and Manganese: The trace elements zinc and manganese are involved in the formation of enzymes which, in turn play an important role in building up cartilage mass and synovial fluid.

Resveratrol, OPC and Vitamin C: Resveratrol and oligomeric proanthocyanide (OPC) are derived from grapes and have an anti-oxidative effect, as does the vitamin C contained in several fruits and vegetables. In other words, they protect the organism from the damaging effect of free radicals which destroy cells and tissue structures.

INDICATIONS

The medications currently used for the treatment of arthrosis (cortisone drugs and painkillers) usually bring about short-term relief. In the long term the destruction of joints cannot be prevented because these medications only act on the symptoms. In other words, they only treat symptoms such as pain and inflammation while the cause of the disease, which is the disturbed balance between cartilage formation and degradation, and the resulting loss of cartilage mass, remain untreated. All of these preparations have, in part, grave side effects which may be damaging to health in the long term.

The constituents of Arthrochron^® are a safe and effective natural alternative or supplement to conventional medications for arthrosis. The trials conducted so far show that the treatment of arthrosis should not be restricted to purely symptomatic therapy. Rather, glucosamine and galactosamine derivatives promote the production of substances required for sufficient joint function in the body and for the renewal of cartilage mass in the joints and even complete restoration. Pain disappears and the person regains his freedom of movement. Success in the long term, however, can be achieved only if the treatment with Arthrochron^® is continued for a long period of time.

The division of the dose into a morning and evening capsule, based on chronobiological principles, ensures optimal supply of nutrients to the cartilage throughout the day. Besides, both capsules contain natural antioxidants; the latter protect the organism from the damaging effects of free radicals which destroy cells and tissue structures, and thus promote the formation of cartilage substance. As the constituents of Arthrochron^® include MSM, it does have a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect. However, when the intake is started it may be advisable to combine it with an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substance for a short while. In the long term Arthrochron^® should be taken alone.

COMPOSITION

AM capsule (morning)
	Daily dose	mg/100 g
Glucosamine	375 mg	24750
Chondroitin	250 mg	16500
MSM	100 mg	6600
Ca	35 mg	2310
Resveratrol	0,2 mg	13,2
Hyaluronic acid	50 mg	3300
Vitamin C	60 mg	3960

PM capsule (evening)
	Daily dose	mg/100 g
Glucosamine	325 mg	21450
Chondroitin	200 mg	13200
MSM	200 mg	13200
Zn	36 mg	2376
OPC	50 mg	3300
Mn	5 mg	330
Hyaluronic acid	50 mg	3300

Additional constituents: Dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, SiO₂

DOSAGE

In normal cases take 1 capsule AM (yellow) in the morning and 1 capsule PM (blue) in the evening with plenty of fluid. In case of severe joint problems the daily dose may be increased to 2 capsules in the morning and 2 capsules in the evening.

SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS

Arthrochron^® is not known to have any major side effects. Therefore specialists recommend Arthrochron^® as the «ideal substance» for (oral) treatment of rheumatic symptoms. Keep out of reach of children and store in a cool, dry place. Persons with a strong fish allergy may experience intolerance reactions. Pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers must consult a doctor before taking Arthrochron^®.

INSTRUCTIONS

In general the therapy should be conducted only under the supervision and instruction of a specialist. Self-medication should be absolutely avoided.

This product is available at pharmacies or via Pharmatrans Inc.

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