Osteoarthritis

A friend of mine in his early 60s believes he can cure his advanced stage of hip osteoarthritis using a regimine of exercise, diet, supplements and a healthy dose of self discipline. Is he right?

What I learned about Osteoarthritis using AI.

In a recent conversation with my friend, he said that his regimen was working to improve his sore hips, but after watching him ride in a golf cart for 9 holes and hobble to the ball for every shot he played, I was skeptical. He seems less mobile today than last summer.

I asked if he has a backup plan in case his regimen fails. For example, has he been x-rayed and discussed hip surgery with an orthopedic specialist? If recommended, it is likely that hip surgery would not be scheduled for a least one year and this would give him time to follow his non-surgical OA cure.

From more own university studies (B.Sc. Kinesiology) about joint cartilage and meniscus repair, it was my recollection that those cells could not be rejuvenated by diet and exercise. However, I decided to see if modern science has evolved since I graduated in 1975, and if my belief proved to be false. Here is what ChatGPT presented to me on this topic. The primary source of information came from https://www.elixirindustry.com/Osteoarthritis-Causes.htm

Research now indicates…

In addition to age, several other factors contribute to the development of osteoarthritis: heredity, as well as joint damage done by injury or by chronic obesity.

Interestingly, regardless of the contributing factors, osteoarthritis results from weakening bone and joint metabolism.

An injury such as a fracture or torn cartilage may result in osteoarthritis later in life, and osteoarthritis may follow unusual or prolonged strain on a joint either in work or sport. People who constantly stress their joints are at particular risk of getting osteoarthritis - e.g., bus drivers, miners, and foundry workers - while long distance runners who are trained in avoiding and recovering from injury are not more likely to develop osteoarthritis.

Being overweight for a long period of time is also considered to speed up the process. Obviously, extra weight leads to increased stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and lower spine, and anecdotal evidence suggests that people who are overweight are also more likely to develop osteoarthritis in their fingers and hands.

While osteoarthritis may be more likely to develop in the chronically obese, the jury is still out with regard to the exact causal link.

Some forms of osteoarthritis do run in families, especially those that affect the small joints of fingers. But in general, heredity is not a major reason for osteoarthritis.

In some people, osteoarthritis may be triggered by another disease, for example, Paget's disease.

Although the main cause of osteoarthritis is known to be weakened bone, joint, and muscle metabolism, the precise causal mechanisms are still unknown. Research is continuing with regard to cells within cartilage that break down and contribute to osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is not caused by bacteria or poisons in the blood, acids in the body, diet deficiencies or excesses, gland abnormalities, the weather, exercise or sudden shock - although some of these may influence the pain.

Normally, joints operate with such a low friction level that they don't wear out, unless they are injured or used excessively. When bone and joint metabolism slows down, even at a low friction level, the joint cartilage soon wears out.

Osteoarthritis probably begins most often with an abnormality of the cells that synthesize the components of cartilage, such as collagen (a tough, fibrous protein found in connective tissue) and proteoglycans (substances that render the cartilage's resilience).

Next, the cartilage may grow too much but eventually thins and develops cracks on the surface. Then, tiny cavities form in the marrow of the bone beneath the cartilage, weakening the bone.

Bone can overgrow at the edges of the joint, producing bone spurs (osteophytes), which can be seen and felt. These bone spurs may interfere with normal joint function, causing pain.

Ultimately, the smooth, slippery surface of the cartilage becomes rough and pitted, so that the joint can no longer move smoothly. The components of the joint can all fail in different ways.

It's not uncommon for people who have developed osteoarthritis to report symptoms of osteoporosis, bone spurs or fibromyalgia. In fact, many bone-and joint-related problems can be traced back to one common source: weakened bone and joint metabolism.

With age, bone and joint metabolism slows down naturally, causing all sorts of problems with bones, joints, and muscles.

What Is Collagen?

As in all living creatures, protein is abundant in the human body, where different systems and organs require specific proteins that have a variety of functions. These functional proteins are essential for life. Collagen is one of these. In short, collagen is a special type of protein.

To understand collagen, it helps if to have some knowledge of the roles of proteins in the body and what proteins are made from. Proteins are used by the body for a whole host of purposes: e.g., in the blood (for carrying molecules and for clotting), for digestion (enzymes that break down food are proteins), in muscles (for movement), etc.

Another category of proteins is "structural protein" composed of proteins that contribute to and sustain the integrity of the human structure. Collagen is a protein that is both functional and structural.

Proteins are constructed from biological building blocks called amino acids. There are about 20 amino acids that occur in nature, and proteins are built from some or all of these. Unique proteins with specific qualities are formed from different numbers of amino acids put together in different relative sequences.

Collagen is unique in having two amino acids not found in other biological proteins: hydroxylated versions of known amino acids that confer special properties.

Why Is Collagen So Important?

Collagen is found in a number of tissues, in various sub forms, but is particularly abundant within and around joints. Tendons and cartilage owe many of their desirable characteristics to the presence of collagen. Unfortunately, collagen-containing structures, such as those mentioned, are subject to wear and tear.

Like most tissues, they are in a constant state of turnover but have the disadvantage of poor blood supply, which does not favor easy repair. Due to the demands upon the collagen-containing structures (movement and bearing weight) and their slower ability to repair, it is vital to optimize the conditions that contribute to the maintenance of joint mobility.

Bones with sufficient collagen are like steel, strong and elastic. Bones lacking in collagen are like dry, brittle wood, easily broken. Prescription drugs for osteoporosis slow down the loss of bone mass by suppressing bone metabolism. Dead bone mass and old collagen "saved" by the drugs take up all the space that otherwise would have been filled up by new bone mass and new collagen.

That's why there are so many reports that osteoporosis drugs such as Fosamax, Actonel, and Evista actually made bones more brittle and that people who were treated with these drugs tend to suffer more bone fractures.

Wear and tear on joint cartilage is the major cause of osteoarthritis. Collagen makes up 95% of joint cartilage. The more collagen there is in the joints, the less chance is there for the development of osteoarthritis.

Where Does Your Body Get Collagen?

There are many collagen supplements available for purchase. But, do they really work? The answer lies in the absorption process taking place in our digestion tract. Just like any other type of protein, collagen supplements go through the stomach and get broken down into amino acids. They will never be absorbed in their original forms, let alone being transported to bones and joints.

Then where does your body get its much-needed collagen? Simple, they are synthesized inside your body, by your body functions.

Can OA be reversed?

In order to correct osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, science needs to find a way to speed up collagen production. Clinical trial results indicate that the symptoms associated with collagen-structure degradation, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis are reduced by a new product called EZorb. Notice, however, that the producer of EZorb states that only the symptoms improve: no reversal of OA progression is cited.

I suffer from hip OA too.

Like my friend, I was diagnosed with hip and knee OA a few years ago. After playing recreational hockey for sixty years, I finally gave up the sport at age 68 in 2020 because hip pain and knee swelling after each game kept me hobbling for the entire hockey season.

I also wish to delay joint replacement surgury for as long as possible and make lifestyle choices to support that goal. Meanwhile, I keep active within my age-restricted limitations. Fortunately, my symptoms are less severe than my friend’s. I can still walk the golf course, nordic cross skate three times per week, x-c ski in winter, bicycle and nordic walk - all with only minor discomfort.

At age 72, after a lifetime of athletics, I expect that surgery will be in my future.

But, not today!