Although arthritis won't really kill you, it can literally cripple you. Arthritis causes so much restriction and curtails even simple activities such as bathing, walking or dressing. Arthritis can be rather debilitating because of extreme pain on the joints And worse, it's a chronic disease.

Thousands are afflicted with arthritis each year and statistics show that one in every three adults over 40 suffer or will suffer from arthritis as they age. Arthritis has no specified age or gender parameter since arthritis can develop even in infants, but most sufferers begin to experience symptoms when they near their fifties, with more than 50% occurring before the age of 65. And arthritis is not just debilitating to the body – it can also devastate your finances. It is estimated that an average person will spend close to USD 150,000 in medical expenses and lost wages just coping with arthritis during his or her lifetime.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common forms that afflict the greater majority. Osteoarthritis is a condition that results from normal wear and tear of the knees, hips, or ankles since they bear much of the weight in the body. It also affects the shoulders and the highly mobile joints of the cervical and lumbar spine. Ease of movement and lubrication within our joints are enabled by synovial fluid, which works much like grease on gears and joints in any dynamic structure. It is also responsible for the overall health of the cartilage surrounding the bone interface. Unavoidably, synovial fluid diminishes with age and results in the cartilage thinning, eventually causing the bones to grind against each other. This grinding action is what causes arthritis pain and the difficulty in movements.

Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand is a condition brought about by the assault of anti-bodies on the synovial lining of the joints. Although these anti-bodies are produced by our own immune system, genetics, certain infections or environmental factors can trigger a misdirected immune system and cause destruction of the synovial membrane and the cartilage. This results in inflammatory conditions which include soreness, pain and tenderness in the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis may arise at any age, and this type of immunologically induced arthritis can be part of other systemic illnesses such as Lupus and Scleroderma.

The symptoms of arthritis can come and go – the disease is said to be active when inflammation is present and that period is known as a “flare”. When the symptoms go away, it is said that the disease is “in remission”. Remission can be accomplished through treatment or may occur spontaneously and may last for months or even years.

Conventional treatments for arthritis include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to relieve its painful effects. Typically, cortisone injections and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been used to treat symptoms. And although these drugs can help to ease the pain, they don't repair the damaged tissues – hence relief is said to be merely symptomatic.

Undesirable side effects may also arise with constant use of NSAIDs and steroids. Osteoporosis and skin thinning are two of the most common side effects, and NSAIDs also tend to irritate the digestive tract and cause stomach ulcers.

No cure for arthritis has been discovered yet, but there is growing evidence that tissue repair and replacement can delay disease progression. In fact, controversial stem cell research has focused on this as a cure for arthritis. Whether or not stem cell replacement will eventually emerge as the cure for arthritis, it might help to know that natural substances are available to relieve arthritis pain and discomfort, and slow progression of the disease – without the side effects.

One of the best known natural substances for its anti-inflammatory properties is Aloe Vera. Aloe generally provides analgesic relief but it has also been observed to stimulate the immune system and speed up cell growth and replacement. Aloe Vera contains basic sugars which are also found in every cell of the body – it is packed with nutrients that include vitamins E, C, and the B series, as well as iron, manganese, calcium and zinc. Aloe Vera also contains essential amino and fatty acids needed by the body.

Paramount to its nutritional benefits is the ability of Aloe Vera to assist the body in repairing damaged tissue by regenerating cells. A breakthrough formulation combines aloe with glucosamine and chondroitin, two joint supplements that are building blocks of cartilage found within joints. Glucosamine increases fluid maintenance in the cartilage, while chondroitin, an ingredient of cartilage tissue, takes charge of drawing in fluids and nutrients. As we age, the body's capacity to produce these natural elements of healthy cartilage is diminished, thus leading to painful joint conditions. Naturally occurring substances combined with Aloe Vera may work best for arthritis pain relief, tissue repair and cell regeneration without the nasty side effects!

Learn more about breakthrough aloe formulations that relieve arthritis symptoms and help to rebuild healthy cells in your joints at Forever Freedom.

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