Smooth Ass Joints

[Rebel Zero]

Hello, all:

Got a question for the Bullshido masses. Does anyone take any supplements for their joints? I'm starting to get a bit of pain and stifness in my knees, and I was wondering if anyone knew of anything I could take to promote health in my most used and worn joints.

It doesn't hurt enough to need pain relief. I'm just interested in a quality product that will help everything stay smooth and injury free.

Any ideas?

RZ

[Teh El Macho]

A common OTC combo for pain and stiffness in ligaments includes the following:

1. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
2. Glucosamine
3. Chondroitin (Chondroitin sulfate)

Keep in mind that if you are allergic to shellfish, glucosamine and chondroitin may not be safe for you. You never know if they are of shellfish or from terrestrial animal origin.

If you are not allergic to shellfish, you can also add fish oil capsules (or flaxseed oil if you are allergic) to your diet. You may need to make sure you take moderately high amounts of selenium, folate/folic acid (B9), B12, antioxidants (vitamin C and E), and specially vitamin D.

Ginger has been reported as a good pain reliever and anti-inflamatory as well. Swimming is reported as a good therapy for osteoarthritis.

I have some pain in my knees as well, so what I usually do is that I always carry ACE wraps (or knee wraps) and icy-hot or tiger balm. Before I work out or roll, I put icy-hot on my knees and massage deeply (it has to be enough to give you a mild burning sensation). Then I wrap the knee with the wraps. That gives me support and also allows the knee joins to warm up.

I would imagine that a good supplementation with the above nutrients will help in keeping things well-lubricated. Furthermore, I think people should make it a habit of massaging their knees and elbows with icy-hot or tiger balm after heavy training.

Good luck.

[jtkarate]

Been drinking a can of joint-juice each morning for about a month and seems to be helping some.

[Shinshoryu]

Take some rest. If problem persists, go see a doctor.

[kobudo]

I don't take any supplements, but I have noticed a non-painful popping in my left wrist and right elbow when I do push-ups over the last few years. The wrist pops first, and the elbow pops further up. It gives me a nice little rhythm section to listen to while working out -- pop-pop, pop-pop, pop-pop... I've never damaged either joint, and it's not getting any worse. it's just kinda wierd.

[oldman34]

Listen to El Macho.

I did, and my knees are doing 100 times better, not to mention my overall training ability (less pain more gain) has increased.

I started taking Prenatal vitamins (they have double folic acid in them).

[PizDoff]

El Macho pretty much ended the thread right there.

I would also add I like to massage my joints affected when warming up to stimulate additional blood flowing before training or lifting. The warm-down is crucial as well; you should include unweighted reps, massage and stretching before jumping into an alternating hot-cold shower. My favourite!

[new2bjj]

El Macho is right, but I would also add, be easy on your joints. No supplement in the world, or perscription med, for that matter, can replace the finite amount of lubrication/cartilage in your joints. If anything really could, then money it could make would dwarf what they make on MSM, etc.
What I mean, is, don't do anymore high impact training than necessary- i.e. kicking the bag to failure, jumping until your sore, etc.MSM asnd all that stuff helps a lot of people for mild stuff, but joints aren't like muscles. From a guy that has a lot of aches and pains from the old "no pain, no gain" philosphy that all those roid freaks propagated back in the 70-80's.

[Odacon]

I swear by this stuff:
http://www.vitabiotics.com/jointace/...px?ID=98&sm=20

[Rebel Zero]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll give it a try and see how it goes.

El Macho, I read your hyper-link on supplements for people over 30 and I was wondering what type/brand of amino acids you use.

Thanks again.

RZ