THE FIRST COMPLETE ARTHRITIS SOLUTION

Constant joint pain, immobility, and/or stiffness can certainly affect a person's quality of life. As a society, we pretty much accept these conditions as a normal part of aging. And early studies support the belief that everyone over 20 experiences degenerative changes in the cartilage lining their joints-even if they feel no pain or stiffness--that are the result of wear and tear on joints. Those who have subjected their joints to more trauma through the years will have more damage.

By age 40, 90 percent of the population has definite signs of osteoarthritis ("wear and-tear" arthritis) that can be detected by x-ray. But at 40, most won't yet experience characteristic arthritic symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness, or immobility. (JAMA 55;157:487)

YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE HEARD OF DR. KAUFMAN'S RESEARCH

As a result of decades of work, Dr. William Kaufman discovered that a large percentage of crippling joint pain and mobility problems that had been considered "normal" to the aging process could be prevented and/or corrected with niacinamide, a common B vitamin.

Kaufman began studying the therapeutic effects of niacinamide in the mid 1930s. Earlier research revealed that niacinamide was necessary for forming two coenzymes crucial to more than 200 metabolic processes in the body, including producing energy for repairing cartilage.

The related problems were listed under the heading "aniacinamidosis" and included nervous system impairment resulting in depression, anxiety, and personality changes; impaired balance; over-reaction to noise; fear of being hurt; abnormal skin sensations; yellow or brown skin pigmentation and excessive callus formation; liver enlargement and tenderness; changes in the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, and vagina; excessive fatigue; impaired joint mobility; tenderness of joint cartilage when touched; poor muscle strength; and diminished work capacity. By the early 1940s, Dr. Kaufman had found that each of these complaints could be readily corrected with proper oral dosages of niacinamide.

HIS TIMING WAS RIGHT

Dr. Kaufman's research took place at an opportune time in history. During the early 1940s, the amount of niacinamide in the American diet was being manipulated, which allowed him to make some extremely important observations. Before 1941, food staples like bread, flour, and cereal products were made from highly-processed, nutrient empty white flour. Between 1941 and 1943, some manufacturers began to enrich these foods with niacinamide and other B vitamins. In 1943, the enrichment of bread, flour, and cereal became compulsory and remained so for the duration of World War II. Everyone was suddenly getting small doses of niacinamide in their daily diet.

During this period, Dr. Kaufman had evaluated hundreds of patients who suffered from the problems he had linked to aniacinamidosis. Once the enrichment program began, he found that many of the problems became far less common. Perhaps more significant, he found that some problems were not corrected by eating niacinamide-enriched foods. The answer in these cases was high doses of niacinamide.

HIS WORK WAS METICULOUSLY RECORDED

Much of the early research involving diet, nutrition and vitamins was not very well-documented. Before computers and the availability of inexpensive lab tests, much research data were based on anecdotal evidence, such as patient testimonials or the impressions of the treating doctor. This wasn't the case with Dr. Kaufman's work. He went to extraordinary lengths to verify his findings and meticulously record each detail (by hand with the help of his research assistant, his wife Charlotte. Before computers, and with thousands of patients, this was a huge task.)

Dr. Kaufman documented hundreds of cases of severely immobilized arthritic patients who became mobile and self-sufficient after long-term niacinamide therapy. His case histories, supplemented with photos, show arthritic patients who could not raise their arms above shoulder level before treatment. After several months on niacinamide, they could raise them above their heads.

These patients also reported a decrease in joint pain and inflammation. Niacinamide is not considered an anti-inflammatory compound or analgesic, but apparently its ability to trigger actual repair of joint surfaces dramatically reduces pain and inflammation. Considering the side effects and risks associated with anti-inflammatory drugs, niacinamide is a welcome alternative.

HOW AND WHEN TO USE NIACINAMIDE TO IMPROVE JOINT DYSFUNCTION

Like many things in life, having a tool solves only part of the problem--the key is knowing how to use the tool. Such is the case with niacinamide. When the right niacinamide is taken correctly, it can cause some amazing psychological and physical transformations.

For moderate joint dysfunction, the recommended dosage of niacinamide is 250 mg every three hours for six dosages. This equals 1,500 mg of niacinamide a day, taken over an 18-hour period. This is the dosage Dr. Kaufman and his wife were on for 60 years, until his death in 2000 at age 88. For severe joint dysfunction, the recommended dosage is 250 mg every two hours for eight dosages. This adds up to a total of 2,000 mg a day, taken over a 16-hour period.

For extremely severe joint dysfunction, the recommended dosage is 250 mg every one-and-a-half hours for 10 doses, making a total of 2,500 mg a day. (In these cases the dosage may even be increased to 250 mg every hour for 16 hours, for a total of 4,000 mg a day.)

Note: Dr. Kaufman developed very thorough tests to determine whether a patient had moderate, severe, or extremely severe joint dysfunction. (These tests are clearly outlined in his journals and other works.)

As mentioned earlier, taking niacinamide at regular intervals--not just the correct dosage amounts--must be closely monitored. For example, taking 500 mg three times a day works out to 1,500 rag, but the effects will not be nearly as effective as taking 250 mg every three hours. Dr. Kaufman's protocols are designed to keep blood levels consistent throughout the day. For the most part, niacinamide works gradually and gently. You may not notice changes right away, but it is important that you stay with the program. Even after symptoms have improved, Dr. Kaufman felt that a maintenance dose of 250 mg every three hours, six times daily should be taken for life.

A WORD ABOUT "TIME-RELEASED" SUPPLEMENTS

To make it easier to take high doses of niacinamide, some companies have come out with time-released niacinamide products. I do not recommend taking them because time-released products can cause liver problems and you would need to get periodic tests to monitor your liver function. Taking straight niacinamide using Dr. Kaufman's protocol outlined above has never caused liver problems or other side effects. Apparently, the carefully balanced blood levels make it easy for both liver and kidneys to deal with the higher levels of niacinamide.

WHAT ABOUT GLUCOSAMINE AND CHONDROITIN?

I first wrote about the regenerative powers of chondroitin and glucosamine sulfates in 1992 and 1994, respectively, and I have been gratified to read the hundreds of letters over the years describing how these natural agents have helped so many of my readers. The popularity of chondroitin and glucosamine has now expanded beyond the readership of Alternatives, as I'm sure you can tell if you've visited any bookstores or health food stores recently.

Glucosamine sulfate works by building the proteins that make up healthy cartilage. These proteins bind to water, which is critical for proper joint lubrication. Stiffness and aching in joints are signs that these essential proteins are breaking down and, consequently, your cartilage is eroding. To prevent this erosion, chondroitin sulfate provides a constant supply of the nutrients needed to repair damaged protein and build new protein. These fluids also serve as shock absorbers.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a large group of individuals for whom glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates provide little, if any, relief. Ever since I first introduced these substances, I've been investigating why this is the case. I believe I have found the answer.

While glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates are essential for healthy joints, they are just two members of a much larger family of mucopoly-saccharides that are naturally found in all joint cartilage. Other compounds in the family include heparan sulfate, heparin, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate, and hyaluronan.

Like so many nutrient families, sulfates work most effectively when they are taken together, as they occur in nature. A good example is the B family. Each B vitamin is beneficial in its own way. But most people now recognize the superiority of taking a B complex. We're now learning that the same is true of the sulfate family. Isolating glucosamine and chondroitin is a step in the right direction, but it's only the tip of the healing iceberg that the entire sulfate family can provide.

Many people have problems digesting glucosamine and chondroitin. Because sulfates can be difficult to break down, I also recommend active forms of the enzymes bromelain and papain to help take some of the stress off of the digestive system and ensure that the cartilage components are properly absorbed.

I've written at length about these enzymes in the past, primarily because of their ability to improve digestion and absorption. In addition, bromelain, in and of itself, has powerful anti-inflammatory capabilities, primarily due to its dual effect on prostaglandins (fatty acids that work like hormones in the body). Bromelain both inhibits the formation of prostaglandins that increase inflammation and promotes the formation of prostaglandins that have anti-inflammatory effects. I recommend bromelain and papain products from Enzymatic Therapy. Enzymatic Therapy sells directly to physicians and health food stores. To find a location near you, call 800-783-2286.

RUB ON FAST RELIEF

What do hot peppers and pain relief have in common? Capsaicin--the chemical that gives cayenne pepper its fiery nature. A powerful, natural pain-fighter, capsaicin has been used in foods and herbal medicine since ancient times. In more recent years, scientists have studied its ability to relieve joint, back, and muscle aches. In one double-blind study, 80 percent of patients experienced pain relief after two weeks of treatment with a cream containing capsaicin. And in another study, capsaicin reduced joint tenderness and stiffness specifically in patients' hands. This is why capsaicin is found in so many pain-fighting creams.

But there's one big problem. Most people who put on a capsaicin cream feel a burning sensation, sometimes worse than the arthritis pain. I spent more than three years researching and testing natural ingredients that would help combat the burning sensation of capsaicin. The result--a pain-fighting cream called Natural Pain Advantage that gives fast comfort and relief for joint and muscle aches and arthritis pain, without burning. In fact, you actually will feel a cooling sensation due to the essential oils and native Australian herbs like aniseed myrtle oil, mountain pepper, and Aloe vera.

When you compare Natural Pain Advantage to other capsaicin creams, you'll see that with the other creams you have to rub and rub until the cows come home to get the cream absorbed into your skin. And as if getting a whiff of the stuff while you're putting it on isn't bad enough, you have to walk around for hours afterwards smelling like a medicine cabinet. With Natural Pain Advantage, you only have to gently rub the cream on your skin; it will absorb quickly and penetrate deep into the skin, without leaving any greasy, smelly mess.

Capsaicin cream is widely available. But the Australian herbs in Natural Pain Advantage are hard to find outside of Australia. The only source in the U.S. for ordering Natural Pain Advantage is Mountain Home Nutritionals, 800-888-1415.

INSTANT CURE FOR MUSCLE PAIN

DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) is a clear, colorless, slightly oily liquid with a faint smell of sulphur. It has the unique ability to pass through the skin's oily membranes, which has proven to be handy in a number of different health applications. DMSO on its own can reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. It can speed the healing process, preserve tissue, and be a godsend to individuals suffering from serious pain. Acute pain from a sports injury can generally be relieved by DMSO in as little as 5 to 30 minutes.

I recommend that every reader keep a pint of 99.9 percent pure DMSO on hand. DMSO is sold in both liquid and gel form. I recommend liquid DMSO. DMSO should always be diluted with distilled water. It works best, in the majority of conditions, when it is in 70 to 90 percent concentrations-70 percent DMSO and 30 percent distilled water, or 90 percent DMSO and l0 percent distilled water. (Burns are the only injury that seem to respond well to a 100 percent solution.) Also, keep in mind that when you dilute DMSO with water, a chemical reaction will take place and the mixture will become warm. This is normal.

DMSO is applied directly to the skin. You can apply it with your fingers or a cotton ball or swab. Most authorities suggest dabbing DMSO onto an area, but rubbing it on has been shown to improve the absorption time by up to 50 percent. A typical application is 1-3 teaspoons. For acute injuries, applying DMSO every two hours for six to eight hours following the injury is usually recommended. For the next five days or so, apply once every four to six hours.

Many health food stores now carry DMSO labeled as "laboratory grade" 99.9 percent pure. It will be labeled for use as a solvent, not a drug. A good mail order source is DMSO Marketing, 800-367-6935 or 502-347-5767. Remember, they cannot tell you how to use the product, so keep this report handy for reference.

TAKE "CHARGE" OF YOUR HEALTH ---LITERALLY

Every single living cell within the body has both a positive and negative charge. It is the balance of these charges that results in good health. An imbalance leads to malfunction and varying degrees of disease.

If an area of the body has a predominately negative charge, you'll find that the tissues are more alkaline. There will be decreased blood circulation to the area, resulting in lower temperatures. If an area has a predominately positive charge, it is an indication of over-activity in the area. This is usually accompanied by excess acids in the tissues, along with inflammation, swelling, heat and pain. Headaches, joint and muscle inflammation (like arthritis and tendonitis), and most of the other common ailments we experience fit into this category. To help reverse these problems, we can introduce additional negatively charged particles (electrons) to the area.

I'm sure you've experienced an electrical shock caused by the static electricity created when scooting across carpet. As you scoot across the carpet, nylon fibers pick up and store electrons from your feet, leaving you "imbalanced." When you touch a doorknob or other conducting object, you experience an electrical spark that equalizes the charge in your body. The same principle takes place when you rub a comb or a balloon against your sweater and your hair stands on end-your hair stands on end in an attempt to equalize your body's charge. Most people don't realize this same static electricity can be used to alleviate a lot of pain and suffering.

HERE'S HOW TO HARNESS STATIC ELECTRICITY

One of the easiest ways to create a fairly large amount of usable negative electrons is with PVC (poly vinyl chloride) plumbing pipe and a small piece of fuzzy material. You can purchase PVC pipe from any lumberyard, building supply company or plumber. All you need is an 18'inch piece of one-and-a-half pipe. (If you know a friendly plumber, you can probably get the PVC free. At that length it's usually considered to be scrap.) For the fuzzy material, one of the best seems to be that wild-looking polyester fake fur that comes in so many outlandish colors, and can be found in fabric or craft stores.

To create a charge of static electricity, simply take the PVC pipe in one hand and rub the piece of fuzzy material back and forth along the pipe. Then, to treat your pain, move the charged PVC pipe slowly back and forth over the painful area, keeping it about a half-inch to an inch or so from the surface of the skin. After three or four passes, recharge the pipe by rubbing it against the material again. (If you happen to touch the pipe to your skin or other object in the process, you won't get a shock, but you will need to recharge it again at that time.) Repeat the process until you feel relief.

The results can be quite dramatic. Most people begin to feel a noticeable improvement within five to seven minutes. More stubborn problems, like severe headaches, may take as long as 15 minutes. There's no set time period for treating a problem, so you can treat an area as long and as often as you need to (without the FDA's approval, I might add).

SIMPLICITY, EFFECTIVENESS, SAFETY AND VALUE:
Four Hallmarks of a Great Therapy

Obviously, using this therapy isn't akin to brain surgery, and it doesn't require a great deal of skill. In fact, many people may be reluctant to give it a try because it's so low tech and simple. I urge you not to discount it for this reason. Believe me, it's a great way to help relieve pain.

Maybe if we gave it a fancy name like electrostatic therapy, electrical spark gap therapy or electromagnetic balancing it would seem more legitimate to skeptics. (Don't be surprised, however, if the plumber gives you a funny look when you tell him the PVC pipe is for "electrostatic therapy.") Regardless of what name you choose, it's certainly the type of technique I like. It's simple, it does no harm, it's inexpensive, and it works.

End Leg Cramps With Pickle Juice

Health Hint: The NFL Philadelphia Eagles drink two ounces of pickle juice before football games to prevent muscle cramps and improve their performance. A simple remedy for muscle cramps is eating a slice of sour pickle; the cramp is gone in about 60 seconds. It also is supposed to prevent pulled hamstrings. Some athletic trainers say that this is a grandma formula, but if it works, do it. - Dan P., Duncanville, Texas

Five Factors That Maximize Niacinamide's Effects- and What to Do About Them

Niacinamide is not a cure-all, and it will not work in every case. In some instances, joints have been so severely damaged that nothing can help. There are a few other circumstances I can think of that can interfere with niacinamide's effectiveness in treating arthritis and other conditions:

1. If you suffer from arthritis, I recommend a protein powder supplement. Cartilage is high in protein, and if you don't get enough of it, cartilage can't be repaired. There are dozens of protein products on the market, made with everything from eggs to blue-green algae. There's nothing wrong with these products, but keep in mind that if you're older, some ingredients can be difficult to digest. Whey-based protein seems to be easily digested by almost everyone, without the need for additional digestive enzymes. One of the most active and digestible is The Ultimate Whey Designer Protein, made by Next Nutrition. It comes in natural, chocolate, and vanilla flavors (I prefer vanilla and chocolate). A daily dose is one or two scoops (17-34 grams of whey protein) mixed with water or skim milk. It can be found in most health food stores. One of the least expensive mail-order suppliers I've found is Nutrition Express at 800-338-7979.
2. All B vitamins work in conjunction with each other. You can expect better results if you take niacinamide along with a good multivitamin containing a broad spectrum of B vitamins.
3. A joint will not heal properly if it is continually traumatized by repetitive us or abuse. For example, if you continue to jog, arthritis in a knee joint won't heal. Obesity also creates constant trauma to weight-bearing joints. One way to minimize routine joint pressure is to wear shoes with thick, shock-absorbing soles.
4. Many niacinamide products contain preservatives that can render them less effective. Whenever possible, buy organic.
5. One of the most common reasons niacinamide therapy fails has to do with the dosage. As I mentioned earlier, niacinamide is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and central nervous system. It also clears from the body quite rapidly. Body levels begin to rise within 15 minutes of taking niacinamide and peak about 90 minutes later (in severe cases of arthritis, levels may peak in one hour). Three hours after ingestion, most of it has been cleared from the body. For this reason, niacinamide must be taken at very regular intervals during the day, which necessitates planning and discipline.

Leach Pain From Arthritic Joints

Researchers have now found that leeches can be used to relieve osteoarthritis pain. Osteoarthritis is the form of arthritis also known as "wear and tear" arthritis.

Doctors at the University of Essen hospital recruited 16 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Ten in the group were treated with leeches, while six served as controls.

Four leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) were applied topically to the most painful spots around the joint. There were no complications. The patients were evaluated for any changes in pain for each of the following 10 days and then at 28 days. All of those treated with leeches reported rapid pain reduction and sustained improvement at the 28-day mark. (Altern Ther Health Med 02;8(5):84-8) Tyhis is not surprising. While sucking blood, leeches release both an anticoagulant and an anesthetic compound into the host's bloodstream.

Leech therapy has been around practically forever. It's still being used successfully in parts of Asia, Africa, and some Arabic countries. I don't know if it will ever gain widespread acceptance in this part of the world, but it works. Leeches are sold through Leeches U.S.A. (www.leechesusa.com) and other providers, but they're available only to medical personnel and hospitals, so you'll need to obtain them through your doctor.

Magnets-Helpful or Harmful?

In the last few years, dozens of magnet products have come on the market- shoe inserts, belts, blankets, pillows, headbands, wristbands, knee wraps, to name a few. While doctors are starting to endorse and recommend magnet products, most are honest enough to say they don't understand how or why the magnets work. Yet, in the next breath they proclaim them to be harmless. That may not always be the case.

A great deal of research has been done on the biological effects of magnets, which shows that the effects of a magnet depend on several factors, most importantly, which pole is placed against the body. All magnets have two poles, north and south. The energy field from the north pole has a counter-clockwise rotation, while that of the south pole has a clockwise rotation. The two energy fields affect the cells in your body in totally different ways. For example, energy from the north pole of a magnet decreases pain and inflammation, while that from the south pole increases pain and inflammation. Some products on the market fail to make that distinction. Even worse, energy from the south pole of a magnet can increase tissue growth, which is certainly something you wouldn't want to happen if there was a cancerous tissue underlying the area.

You can use a compass to tell which end of the magnet is north and which is south. Place the compass close to the magnet. The end of the needle that would normally point toward the North Pole of the earth will point toward the south pole of the magnet.

I certainly think magnets have a place in healing and can be great tools, but if you're going to use them, you need to be knowledgeable about their benefits, as well as their negative aspects. Keep in mind, too, that pain is a sign that something is wrong. Blocking pain without discovering the underlying cause isn't the solution; it's only treating a symptom. If the smoke alarm in your house went off during the middle of the night, it would be far wiser to determine what cause the alarm, rather than simply unplugging it or removing the batter. The same holds true with pain, your body's innate alarm system.