Both Glucosamine and MSM decrease swelling and pain while improving walking in patients with arthritis in the knee; they worked even better when used together

Glucosamine is a joint tissue protecting agent that is efficacious and improves osteoarthritis. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an effective natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. In this study 118 patients, both sexes, with mild to moderate, painful osteoarthritis of the knee were given either Glucosamine 500mg or MSM 500mg individually, the combination of the two, or inactive placebo, 3 times a day for 12 weeks. Glucosamine and MSM, or their combination, all significantly improved walking time and comfort, reduced swelling, reduced pain, and reduced the need for arthritis medication. The combination of the two nutrients was even better for reducing pain and swelling. The study is published in the journal Clinical Drug Investigation, 2004;24(6).

Curcuminoids from Turmeric root clear out Alzheimer?s plaque producing protein; is Alzheimer?s disease caused by an under active immune system?

In Alzheimer?s disease, a protein known as amyloid beta accrues in brain tissue leading to drastic damage. The findings of previous studies shows that the herb Turmeric could help prevent the disease. Turmeric contains Curcuminoids and these are the active constituents. The main Turmeric root Curcuminoid is bisdemethoxycurcumin. In this study scientists at UCLA treated the blood of Alzheimer?s patients with bisdemethoxycurcumin. The Curcuminoid cleared the amyloid beta from their blood by stimulating immune cells known as macrophages. In turn these larger white blood cells engulfed and gobbled up the amyloid beta, destroying it and preventing it from setting. If you clear out this waste product it cannot contribute to Alzheimer?s disease. The question raised by this study; is Alzheimer?s disease a disease caused by a poorly functioning immune system? The study appears in the online edition of the July 16th, 2007 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.