Joints

Symptoms

Any joint can crack but knees most commonly so. The joints of the jaw are also highly susceptible, causing what is known as temperomandibular jaw syndrome. Most cracking joints are not painful, though it can be quite an uncomfortable sensation.

Causes

Cracking joints are the result of an imbalance in the body’s connective tissue, usually because of improper diet. Since muscles and connective tissue hold a joint in its correct position, any damage or strain to them will affect the joints. Glucosamine is a nutrient found naturally in the body, mostly in cartilage. A combination of glucose and amine, it is an ammonia derivative containing nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. With age, cartilage loses glucosamine, causing the cartilage to thin and eventually the joint becomes painful, stiff and swollen. Continued cracking of the same bones suggests a misalignment of the joint that is caused by muscle stiffness and under or overuse of certain muscle groups due to sports or bad posture. Over time, improper use of the joint can lead to arthritis. Extreme weather conditions can also affect joints when the body’s resistance is low.

Nutrition

Seafoods, such as mussels which contain mucopolysaccharides (also known as chondroitin sulphates), are of crucial importance for the alleviation of snapping, cracking joints. Eliminate white flour, sugar, coffee, tea, beef and pork from your diet. Instead, eat a large variety of vegetables and fruits. They contain the many vitamins and minerals that play a part in smooth joint movement. Eat lemons and oranges daily for vitamin C which can prevent rheumatic pain in the joints. Strawberries contain high amounts of salicylic acid, so they are an effective remedy for painful joint movement. Eat nothing but strawberries, about two to four pounds, for an entire day. This strawberry diet can be repeated once or twice a week.

Nutritional Supplements

Supplements will support healing. Vitamin C improves the lubrication of the fluid in the joints and helps prevent further injury. For knee cracking due to tightness, take vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 daily. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that improves circulation and repairs tissue. The vitamin-like substance coenzyme Q10 naturally exists in human tissue and declines with age. It also supports the immune system.

Glucosamine sulfates and chondroitin sulfates work well as anti-inflammatory agents and painkillers, and are effective for long-term treatment of chronic illnesses. In combination with proper diet and vitamins, they can rebuild damaged cartilage and help control enzymes that destroy cartilage, without producing side-effects. Most patients experience relief after taking glucosamine for six weeks.

Daily dosage:

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids,

1,000 mg three times daily

Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU

Coenzyme Q10, 400 mg

Glucosamine, 500 mg three times daily for four months

Herbal Remedies

To revitalize unhealthy connective tissue take horsetail as 1 tbsp. of juice, 3 cups of tea or 15 drops of tincture in water daily for two weeks, with a two-week break. Repeat if necessary. If using an aqueous extract, take 2–3 capsules three times daily.

Cat’s claw boosts the immune system and has a natural anti-inflammatory effect on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Homeopathy

An experienced homeopath can provide a more in-depth treatment to achieve lasting results for recurring or persistent problems.

Tissue Salts

Tissue salt remedies are not applicable.

External/Physical Therapies

Daily stretching and warm up exercises are recommended for overall fitness, but especially for any joint which cracks. These measures will promote circulation and ensure that the joint is well supplied with nutrients for proper cellular repair.

Other Suggestions

If the joint persists in cracking, consider the possibility of a food allergy, or digestive enzyme deficiencies and absorption problems.

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Glucosamine Sulfate (Albi)

Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate

(Natural Factors)

Glucosamine Sulfate (Natural Factors)

Shark Cartilage (Natural Factors)

OsteoPlus Glucosamine (Platinum)

Advanced Glucosamine Sulfate

(Quest Vitamins)

N-A-G (N-Acetyl Glucosamine)

(Quest Vitamins)

Premium Chondroitin and Glucosamine Sulfate (Quest Vitamins)

Ocean Formula (Scandinavian Naturals)

Glucosamine Sulfate plus Shark Cartilage (Sisu)

Herbal Remedies

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

Green Magma (Green Foods)

Devil’s Claw Extract (Natural Factors)

Enriching Green Factors (Natural Factors)

Joint Ease (Natural Factors)

Muscle and Joint (Natural Factors)

Natural Pain Ease (Natural Factors)

Silica Extract (Natural Factors)

Cat’s Claw (Nature’s Herbs)

Devil’s Claw Extract (Nature’s Herbs)

Inflam-Aid (Nature’s Herbs)

Silica-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Ultra-Sil (Prairie Naturals)

Inflamma-Force (Prairie Naturals)

Devil’s Claw 5:1 Extract (Prairie Naturals)

External Therapies

Glucosamine/Chondroitin Topical Gel

(Inno-Vite)