Thursday 11 September 2014

Smokers Taking Excess of Sodium Are at Higher Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A new study has shows that cigarette smokers, who consume excess of sodium, are at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

On an average, an American's daily intake of sodium is about 3,400 mg. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg a day  or 1,500 mg for those aged 51 years or older, or if they are black, or if the person has high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Some people's bodies are very sensitive to sodium. This was seen in the latest study by Umea University, Sweden, researchers.

According to the Swedish researchers, there exists a strong association between high sodium intake and rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the small joints in hands and feet. The risk doubles in case of current smokers.

The study led by Bjorn Sundstrom looked at whether the recent animal and human cell study revealed the association between a high sodium intake and RA would produce similar results in a case control study that worked on data retrieved from Vasterbotten Intervention Programme (VIP).

"These findings will provide new insights into the etiopathogenic process leading to the development of RA among smokers. The finding of sodium being a risk factor for the development of RA among smokers is intriguing, as it may explain discrepancies in previous studies of diet as a risk factor for RA. That consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of developing RA, while consumption of protein, red meat, and fish with a medium fat content is associated with a higher risk, could be explained by these dietary products being associated with a higher intake of sodium. These results could have implications for analyses of diet in other conditions in which inflammation is of importance," said Sundstrom.

The researchers looked at 386 individuals who reported their dietary habits as a part of the community intervention programme with a median of 7.7 years before the onset of RA symptoms. This group was then compared to 1886 controls that were taken from the same database.

As a part of the study, the researchers worked on health-screening data that included dietary habits, physical exercise, smoking and other social factors. They also collected participants' blood samples. However, the researchers did not find any link between sodium intake and the developed RA due to which they failed to confirm the hypothesis.

Sundstrom added: "Additive interaction analyses suggested that approximately half (54%) of the increased risk from smoking in the development of RA is due to interaction with sodium intake. A large influence of sodium intake on smoking as a risk factor for RA is also supported by the fact that we could not identify any significant proportion of risk from smoking in individuals with a low sodium intake."

The finding was documented in the journal Rheumatology.

Source: http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/17107/20140911/smokers-taking-excess-of-sodium-have-higher-risk-of-rheumatoid-arthritis.htm


Friday 5 September 2014

Beneflex

What is Beneflex?
Beneflex is an all-natural joint pain nutritional supplement that promises to consist of components which have been clinically analyzed and verified. In case you turned through its website, it can help prevent this difficult sign of the aging process by providing you what you really need to remain strong and healthy.

Key ingredients of Beneflex:
Beneflex is made from the following essential ingredients:

  • Hyaluronic Acid: It plays a mojor role in this supplement. It helps to lubricate joints and connective tissues so the impression of your activities is better absorbed by your joints.
  • AprèsFlex: It is a boswell serrata plant extract that helps to deal with arthritis and reduces swelling of the knees.
  • UC-II Collagen: It is a component that has been clinically approved in joint research center.
  • Turmeric Root: It is one of the most commonly used ingredient for cooking that eliminates histamine levels and tends to increase production of cortisone to provide relief. 


Other Ingredients are:  
It's also important to keep in mind that byproducts of shellfish are used in this supplement. However, Beneflex is totally herbal, natural and gluten free.

Supplement Facts for Beneflex: 
Serving Size 1 Capsule
Servings Per Container 30
Amount Per Serving % DV
Hyaluronic Acid 90% 5.00 mg **
Hyaluronic Acid 90% 5.00 mg **
UC-II® (providing 10mg undenatured type II collagen) 40.00 mg **
UC-II® (providing 10mg undenatured type II collagen) 40.00 mg **
Aprèsflex® - Boswellia Serrata Extract 100.00 mg **
Aprèsflex® - Boswellia Serrata Extract 100.00 mg **
Turmeric Extract 25:1 (standardized to 95% curcuminoids) 200.00 mg **
Turmeric Extract 25:1 (standardized to 95% curcuminoids) 200.00 mg **
** Daily Value (DV) not established

Is it safe to use Beneflex?
However it is safe to use this product, consult a health care practitioner before use if you are pregnant or nursing, and have a serious medical condition. It is for adult use only. It is restricted to use only as directed.

Strengthen of Beneflex:

  • Beneflex provides a free trial period.
  • Clinical research has been confirmed for this supplement.
  • Online purchasing option is available for Beneflex.
  • Beneflex provides a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.


Weakness of Beneflex:

  • Clinical studies have been done on individual ingredients in Beneflex, but no such studies are cited that have been conducted directly on Beneflex itself.
  • Beneflex is relatively pricy one.
  • Shopping for this supplement automatically enrolls customers in a monthly shipping/billing program, until elsewhere stopped by the customer.


Recommended doses: 
As a dietary supplement you may take one capsule per day.

Customer Reviews
Beneflex advertised 'no side effects'--but my experience was quite different--within about 30 minutes of taking my first pill, I got severely dizzy, short of breath; my heart was racing and my blood pressure was jumping all over the place. And also my vision went goofy; and while my vision straightened up shortly, the overall feeling of impending doom lasted for several hours. I do take blood pressure medication and cholesterol control medication as well, maybe people should be cautious when taking these meds---I have returned my bottle for a refund.
Source: amazon.com

Doctor gave me a cord zone shot after 2 days pain returned. Saw add for 14 day free trial of Beneflex. After 3 days pain was almost completely gone. Good stuff, going to continue taking it!!!!
Source: gnc.com

I started using this product because my husband read an article about how it was helping so many people. I have a very bad knee that I could not go up and down starts without all kinds of pain, getting out of bed in the morning was so painful. I have been only taking this product for 5 days and it is a miracle. No pain in the morning and no pain on the stairs.
Source: drugstore.com

Wrap up:
Beneflex is a natural joint pain supplement which is believed to consume anywhere between 3 to 6 months to illustrate good results. Beneflex is guaranteed by medical research. This really is the best thing simply because not every dietary supplements might provide this. Additionally, you also get a money back guarantee. In case you're wanting to stay away from gluten and you're searching for a remedy for your joint pain without switching to glucosamine and chondroitin, you might like to pay back more money to get a bottle of this product. Alternatively, you might want to get assistance somewhere else if you're trying to find a solution that doesn't cost much.

Wednesday 3 September 2014

Eight Ways To Look After Your Knees

Knee pain can start from an injury to even the smallest  part of your knee and can arise from overuse in childhood or adulthood.

One of the most common reasons for severe pain in this joint is inflammation due to advanced wear of the cartilage on the moving surfaces of the knee joint.

The inflammation from the worn particles of cartilage, if ignored, cause persistent swelling, stiffness, loss of range of movement and the deformity of osteoarthritis.

Knee pain can also come from outside the knee such as bursitis which is caused by inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac, in front of the knee. It is usually intermittent and mild at first but can become persistent, severe and difficult to alleviate so prevention is key.

Here is my advice to help you keep your knees in good condition and to ease pain when it first occurs.

1 Get support: If you don’t want to suffer with knee pain it is really important to wear sports shoes that offer the correct support.

Some knee braces are specifically designed to provide support in the right place. The choice of the correct knee support should be discussed with your sports specialist as there are a variety of supports and braces for different conditions.

Tip: You should invest in a good pair of trainers or sport specific shoes and boots that fit properly. Consider changing these every six months.

If you are serious about your sport you should have the footwear professionally assessed to match your running style before you buy them.

2 Lose weight: It’s not surprising that carrying extra weight means you are putting undue stress on your joints, particularly your knees.

Experts calculate that one pound of body weight is equal to between three and seven pounds of extra weight on your knees. So even losing a few pounds can make a difference to easing knee pain and preventing it in the first place.

Many of the problems of impingement in the knee joint that lead to later issues come from pinching of a fold of fat in the knee joint. Shrink the fat and you might not get the pinch.

Tip: As well as a low-calorie diet, choose a gentle exercise such as swimming or cycling which doesn't place any strain on joints.

3 Ice it: If you do suffer with knee pain, particularly after working out, an ice pack on the affected area can really help to ease discomfort.

This is part of the old mnemonic RICE which stands for: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Ice is thought to help by reducing blood flow and thereby dampening down inflammation around the joint.

Tip: Keep several ice packs in the freezer so they are ready when you need them. For a more professional approach there are cold therapy systems that deliver continuous cold to the joint such as the CryoCuff by Aircast (£59.99/ physioroom.com).

4 Try manipulation: Many people notice a sudden knee pain without any particular injury. I have come up with something I call the “Hardy shuffle test” which I use as both a diagnostic tool and in some patients it cures the pain of impingement.

Tip: To perform the “Hardy shuffle test” at home, kick flick your knee to see if you can shift the pain.

If the pain is coming from under the kneecap sit on the edge of a chair. Relax your thigh muscle and flick your kneecap from side to side to flick out the small fold of fat that is being pinched.

5 Don’t ignore pain: Many people brush off knee pain when they first start to experience it and believe it will eventually go away.

Early diagnosis is key to preventing more severe and irreversible damage. If you have a sharp, intermittent, localised pain you should get checked out sooner rather than later in order to stop some conditions getting worse.

Tip: If you have a pain you can point to on your knee and it is tender to touch, make an appointment with your GP to check whether you have an unstable meniscus tear.

This is the most common cause of osteoarthritis if left untreated. Most GPs will take a history, examine your knee for tenderness and arrange an MRI scan.

6 Supplement your diet: Vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium and vitamin D support healthy bones, and greens such as spinach, kale and cabbage contain vitamin K, another nutrient that supports bone health.

Tip: Stop smoking. The carbon monoxide from smoking displaces 20 per cent of the oxygen from your hemoglobin. Tissues need this oxygen when trying to heal an injury.

7 Keep moving: But also get a good night’s sleep. Cycling is a proven way to encourage cartilage to grow and heal. Sleep can also do wonders for joint discomfort. So get some early nights to ensure you get your full eight hours. You will feel better for it.

Tip: Look for ways to incorporate gentle activity into your daily routine such as cycling to work or to the shops. You can even get a cycling machine that sits under your desk.

8 Change the way you exercise: High-impact activities such as running and racket sports don’t do your knees any favours.

If your knees hurt it would be a good idea to take up a gentler exercise such as swimming or yoga, at least for a while to let the inflammation go down. Continuing with high-impact exercise could just make things worse.

Tip: Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, or you are sensitive to them, try a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablet the night before exercise.

Source: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/505891/Eight-ways-to-keep-your-knees-healthy