Talk about health

I've mentioned this before, but just recently I noticed another example of it. I'm talking about the trend of adding a hint of something 'healthy' to a popular food or drink. The latest example is in the US and involves adding some glucosamine to a well-known variety of orange juice.

At first glance it appears to be a logical thing to do. After all glucosamine is a very useful natural product that clearly helps many people with joint pain and osteo-arthitis.

What about glucosamine? Here's a few quick pointers -

We all have some in our body.
It helps us make synovial fluid - the thing that lubricates our cartilage and keeps joints healthy.
It prevents loss of cartilage that leads to osteo-arthritis.
It is believed to promote wound healing and speeds recovery from sports injuries.
It has anti-inflammatory properties and mops up free radicals
Normal doses in capsules and tablets are in the region of 1250mg to 1500mg a day.

So, it is a useful substance to take if you have cartilage trouble or sports injuries or aches and pains in your joints. And if you do take it, you'll probably find it needs at least eight weeks of regular dosage to have the best outcome. If it hasn't worked by then, it may not be for you.

Anyway, back to the point. Unfortunately, I don't know how much glucosamine is being added to the orange juice. But, I don't imagine it will be as much as the dose amounts I've mentioned above.

If it is not that much, what effects ar they trying to produce? And will swallowing a small amount of glucosamine have a beneficial effect on your joints? I have my doubts!

I suppose the thinking is that topping up your naturally occurring body glucosamine might just stop joint hurting in the first place. But, I've not come across any research that even hints that it could. (If you know of any, please let me know where it is.)

And, how would you know whether you are getting any benefit at all from small amounts over the years by taking regular drinks of orange juice?

One last thought ... orange juice makes symptoms worse for may arthritis sufferers. The juice of citrus fruits tend to lower the acidity in joints and this makes crystal formation easier - the very thing that makes arthritis even more painful.

SO, arthritis sufferers are advised to avoid orange juice, grapefruit juice and lemon juice. Patients would be better trying carrot juice, or cherries instead to raise their blood acidity a little.

My thoughts are that adding glucosamine to orange juice is just another marketing trick to encourage you to buy and supplement all at once.

Instead, if you have pain in your joints, buy a good brand of glucosamine tablets and take them as the manufacturers recommend. Give the orange juice a miss and make your own carrot juice with a few cherries for good measure.

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Wishing you the very best of health.