• NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

With over 30 different ingredients in our Signature Formula (Proprietary Blend), our LifeSource Arthritis Relief & Joint Rebuilder takes over where ALL other supplements stop working. Most people try Glucosamine & Chondroitin, which is a great product, but if it doesn’t work then they try MSM, if this doesn’t work, we would just have to live with the pain. This is why ours is the biggest selling Arthritis Relief on the market. It goes well beyond what those other products are even able to do. LifeSource’s Signature Formula helps rebuild the joints, tissues and tendon’s, as well as the lubrication of the joints. This is what has to happen for the pain and body to heal itself. The body can heal itself, it just must have the proper nutrients to do so. The proper nutrients means vitamins, minerals, and Arthritis nutrition in conjunction with. It needs well rounded complete nutrition to heal itself and not rob form other parts of the body to get it nutritional needs met, which is how something else will go wrong with your body, by losing those nutrients being robbed.

Arthritis is a term that includes at least 25 different ailments; the main symptoms are the inflammation of the joints, and pain. Arthritis (Osteoarthritis), is much more than just the deterioration of cartilage, as most people think. Here is the skinny on Arthritis in a nutshell: Cartilage is the bodies’ shock absorber, when the cartilage breaks down, the bones start to rub together. Muscles however support the joints, when the muscles get weak they quit supporting the joints, which leads to tears in the tendons. Bones on the other hand send out spurs and other odd growths, which cause major discomfort when the cartilage begins to erode. But when changes in the bone take place first, thus affecting the shape of the joint, this will trigger a breakdown in cartilage.
Tendons and ligaments connect and anchor muscles and bones that provide strength and support for the joints. When the tendons and ligaments become weak, the cartilage is forced to bear more weight, thus causing the expediting of the collapsing of the cartilage. Along with this come the inflammation, as the cartilage degrades, immune cells engulf ands destroy the dying tissue. In their zeal, they will even attack the healthy tissue. And if that is not enough to battle, research from scientists all over the world are finding that over 50% of all people suffering from arthritis are born with mutations in their genes that control cartilage formation and destruction, which means that cartilage will be weaker to begin with and degrade faster than it should. And they are finding that Arthritis actually starts with most people in their 20's 30's and 40's.

With Arthritis being comprised of all of the above mentioned, your Arthritis Relief has to be much more comprehensive than just glucosamine & chondroitin, although they should be present. As you see, our Arthritis Relief/Joint Rebuilder goes far beyond in research, comprehensive ingredients, and overall treatment for arthritis, and it is Guaranteed!

• DOSE: Adults take 2 tablets daily or as recommended by your health care professional. The complete ingredient box is at the bottom of the page!

What Is Arthritis?

The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation, but it is often used to refer to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. These diseases may affect not only the joints but also other parts of the body, including important supporting structures such as muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments, as well as some internal organs. This booklet focuses on pain caused by two of the most common forms of arthritis--osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

What Is Pain?

Pain is the body's warning system, alerting you that something is wrong. The International Association for the Study of Pain defines it as an unpleasant experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage to a person's body. Specialized nervous system cells (neurons) that transmit pain signals are found throughout the skin and other body tissues. These cells respond to things such as injury or tissue damage. For example, when a harmful agent such as a sharp knife comes in contact with your skin, chemical signals travel from neurons in the skin through nerves in the spinal cord to your brain, where they are interpreted as pain.
Most forms of arthritis are associated with pain that can be divided into two general categories: acute and chronic. Acute pain is temporary. It can last a few seconds or longer but wanes as healing occurs. Some examples of things that cause acute pain include burns, cuts, and fractures. Chronic pain, such as that seen in people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, ranges from mild to severe and can last weeks, months, and years to a lifetime.

How Many Americans Have Arthritis Pain?

Chronic pain is a major health problem in the United States and is one of the most weakening effects of arthritis. More than 40 million Americans are affected by some form of arthritis, and many have chronic pain that limits daily activity. Osteoarthritis is by far the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 20 million Americans, while rheumatoid arthritis, which affects about 2.1 million Americans, is the most disabling form of the disease.

What Causes Arthritis Pain? Why Is It So Variable?

The pain of arthritis may come from different sources. These may include inflammation of the synovial membrane (tissue that lines the joints), the tendons, or the ligaments; muscle strain; and fatigue. A combination of these factors contributes to the intensity of the pain.

The pain of arthritis varies greatly from person to person, for reasons that doctors do not yet understand completely. Factors that contribute to the pain include swelling within the joint, the amount of heat or redness present, or damage that has occurred within the joint. In addition, activities affect pain differently so that some patients note pain in their joints after first getting out of bed in the morning, whereas others develop pain after prolonged use of the joint. Each individual has a different threshold and tolerance for pain, often affected by both physical and emotional factors. These can include depression, anxiety, and even hypersensitivity at the affected sites due to inflammation and tissue injury. This increased sensitivity appears to affect the amount of pain perceived by the individual. Social support networks can make an important contribution to pain management.

* Below is information and breakdowns and frequently asked question that are a must read for all who suffer from any arthritic discomfort of any kind:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United States, affecting millions of Americans. In osteoarthritis, cartilage—the tissue that covers and protects the ends of bones—gradually deteriorates, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints of the knee, hip, back, hand, or wrist. A variety of factors can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:

Age: Age is the strongest risk factor for osteoarthritis. Although osteoarthritis can appear in young adulthood, you're at higher risk if you’re over 45.

Gender: Osteoarthritis is more common in women than in men. Heredity People who are born with defective cartilage or with joints that don’t fit together properly are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.

Joint injury or overuse traumatic injury to the knee or hip increases your risk for developing osteoarthritis in those joints. And joints that are used repeatedly in certain occupations or sports may be more likely to develop osteoarthritis because of injury or overuse.

Overweight: Carrying excess weight during or after midlife is the strongest risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Rheumatoid arthritis changes the normal structure and function of cartilage, making joints more prone to develop osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis usually begins in the cartilage of a joint and can gradually affect the bone and soft tissue surrounding the joint. As cartilage breaks down, the body tries to repair the damage by making new bone. The ends of the bones in the joint thicken, and the new bone can result in obvious lumps, especially around the small joints of the hands.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body's own immune system attacks the joint. The resulting inflammation causes the characteristic pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness. The affected joint may also lose its shape, resulting in a loss of normal movement.

In adult rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms can appear and disappear repeatedly over time. In some people, rheumatoid arthritis may affect other parts of the body in addition to the joints, including the blood, the lungs, and the heart. People with rheumatoid arthritis may also suffer from appetite loss, fever, and lack of energy, and lumps of tissue may form under the skin.

Unlike osteoarthritis, which is limited to the joints, adult rheumatoid arthritis can affect the entire body. Typically, the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are fatigue, soreness, stiffness, and aching. The wrists, hands, and feet tend to be most affected, but the elbows, shoulders, neck, knees, hips, and ankles can become painful as well.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects millions of Americans. Like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis occurs more frequently in women than in men. Adult rheumatoid arthritis can occur in people in their 20s and 30s, though it appears more commonly in those over 45 years of age.

Researchers now believe that treating rheumatoid arthritis early and aggressively not only may control joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness, but also may slow the progression of the disease.

Knee Pain:

Your credo is simple: An active life is a full life. Whether your passion is for hiking, cycling, running, or just enjoying a game of hoops, you know that knee pain can keep you on the sidelines. And that's not your style. But you can do something about it. Step one: Learn the cause.

Is my knee pain due to arthritis?

Knee pain can have many causes, including injuries such as torn ligaments. Knee pain also can be a warning sign of arthritis. You may have arthritis of the knee if you experience any of the following:
• Pain, achiness, stiffness, and/or swelling in the knee; you may have pain all around the knee or just in one particular place
• Reduced knee motion
• Morning stiffness that lessens after moving around

The knee joint is the junction of three bones—the thighbone, the shinbone, and the kneecap.

Here is what you can do to help this process of healing your knee:

In the meantime, you can take these steps to minimize your knee pain and lessen the chance of injury:
• Balance rest and activity. Keep using your knee, but rest it when it becomes painful. Fatigue or a pressured pace may increase the risk of accidents. Rest when you can, and give yourself a break.
• Keep the knee warm. Warmth can help relieve pain and stiffness. A hot bath or hot-water bottle can bring relief.
• Distribute the pressure. Carry heavy loads close to your body, using both hands if necessary.
• Move the knee. Make sure you don't keep your leg in the same position for long periods of time. Doing so may ease your pain for a while, but if you do it regularly, it will weaken the leg muscles.
• Cushion the knee. Wear well-fitting training shoes as much as possible for shock absorption.
• Be prepared. Keeping fit is important for everyone, including people with arthritis. Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that's right for you.
• Plan ahead. Consider the time and energy you'll need for any task. Organize your activities. Have the tools for each job conveniently at hand.

What is arthritis of the knee?

Arthritis of the knee is most often osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in which cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. Osteoarthritis of the knee may be caused by everyday "wear and tear," as well as by excess stress on the joint, as from repeated injury or being overweight. Osteoarthritis also progresses more quickly in knees that are stressed by misalignment.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that also can affect the knees. In rheumatoid arthritis, the joint becomes inflamed and cartilage may be destroyed. Both knees are usually affected.

Hip Pain

Hip pain can keep you from both the things you need to do and the things you want to do. But you can do something about it. Step one: Learn the cause.
Is my hip pain due to arthritis?
Hip pain can be a sign of arthritis. You may have arthritis of the hip if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
• Stiffness in the groin, buttock, or thigh upon waking
• Hip pain that worsens as the joint is used and subsides with rest
• Limping to avoid the pain
Eventually, resting may fail to relieve the pain in your hip. Losing protective cartilage can cause the bones to rub directly against each other, resulting in hard bumps, called bone spurs that reduce motion and cause pain.

The hip joint is the ball-and-socket structure that gives us the ability to walk.

What is arthritis of the hip?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis of the hip. It occurs when the smooth cartilage that covers the hipbone and the head of the thighbone thins out, increasing joint friction. Joints that are used often, such as the hip, are generally more prone to becoming arthritic. And arthritis in a weight-bearing joint such as the hip, spine, or knee tends to be more painful than in the wrist or hand.

Hand Pain

It's a sure thing that hand and wrist pain keeps you from playing your best game. You can't give it everything you've got if your hands won't let you.
Want to get a grip on the problem? The first step is to learn the cause.
Is my hand pain due to arthritis?
Pain in the joints of the hand or the wrist can be a sign of arthritis. The joints in the hand and wrist that are used often are sometimes prone to wear-and-tear, which may lead to osteoarthritis. You may have arthritis of the hand or wrist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
• Pain, stiffness, and/or swelling in the hand or wrist
• Tenderness or warmth in the joints of the hand or wrist
• Diminished grip strength
• Wrist weakness
• Knuckle pain
• Reduced hand or wrist motion
• In some cases, osteoarthritis can lead to the formation of bony nodules at the affected joints. The hand and its fingers contain 27 bones, which come together to form several different types of jointsglossary-1003.asp - tendon.

What is arthritis of the hand or wrist?

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common forms of arthritis of the hand or wrist. Like osteoarthritis in any other joint, the smooth, protective cartilage of the hand or wrist bones can wear thin from injury or overuse, causing pain, stiffness, and weakness. Osteoarthritis of the hand appears primarily in three places:
• The base of the thumb, where the thumb and wrist meet
• The middle joint of a finger
• The tip of a finger

In contrast to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis usually affects many joints on both hands, although it's most common in the wrist and knuckles. In rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of the joints swells and may stretch the ligaments so the joints lose their strength and stability. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect tendons, further compounding the loss of joint function.

How Can You Cope With Arthritis Pain?

The long-term goal of pain management is to help you cope with a chronic, often disabling disease. You may be caught in a cycle of pain, depression, and stress. To break out of this cycle, you need to be an active participant with the doctor and other health care professionals in managing your pain. This may include physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, biofeedback, relaxation techniques (for example, deep breathing and meditation), and family counseling therapy.

The Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center at Stanford University, supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), has developed an Arthritis Self-Help Course that teaches people with arthritis how to take a more active part in their arthritis care. The Arthritis Self-Help Course is taught by the Arthritis Foundation and consists of a 12- to 15-hour program that includes lectures on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, exercise, pain management, nutrition, medication, doctor-patient relationships, and nontraditional treatment.

Things You Can Do To Manage Arthritis Pain:

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Drink Lots of water.

• Take your supplements methodically. The same time everyday.

• Get 8 to 10 hours of sleep at night.

• Keep a daily diary of pain and mood changes to share with your physician.

• Choose a caring physician.

What Research Is Being Conducted on Arthritis Pain?

The NIAMS, part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring research that will increase understanding of the specific ways to diagnose, treat, and possibly prevent arthritis pain. As part of its commitment to pain research, the Institute joined with many other NIH institutes and offices in 1998 in a special announcement to encourage more studies on pain.

At the Specialized Center of Research in Osteoarthritis at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, researchers are studying the human knee and analyzing how injury in one joint may affect other joints. In addition, they are analyzing the effect of pain and analgesics on gait (walking) and comparing pain and gait before and after surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

At the University of Maryland Pain Center in Baltimore, NIAMS researchers are evaluating the use of acupuncture on patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Preliminary findings suggest that traditional Chinese acupuncture is both safe and effective as an additional therapy for osteoarthritis, and it significantly reduces pain and improves physical function.

At Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, NIAMS researchers have developed cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involving both patients and their spouses. The goal of CBT for arthritis pain is to help patients cope more effectively with the long-term demands of a chronic and potentially disabling disease. Researchers are studying whether aerobic fitness, coping abilities, and spousal responses to pain behaviors diminish the patient's pain and disability.

NIAMS-supported research on arthritis pain also includes projects in the Institute's Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Centers. At the University of California at San Francisco, researchers are studying stress factors, including pain that are associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Findings from this study will be used to develop patient education programs that will improve a person's ability to deal with rheumatoid arthritis and enhance quality of life. At the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, health care professionals are looking at the causes of pain and joint disability in patients with osteoarthritis. The goal of the project is to improve doctor-patient communication about pain management and increase patient satisfaction.

The list of pain studies continues. A NIAMS-funded project at Stanford University in California is evaluating the effects of a patient education program that uses a book and videotape to control chronic pain. At Indiana University in Indianapolis, Institute-supported scientists are determining whether strength training can diminish the risk of severe pain from knee osteoarthritis. And a multi-center study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and NIAMS, and coordinated by the University of Utah School of Medicine, is investigating the effects of the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for knee osteoarthritis.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: When I play basketball with the guys from work on the weekends, I pay the price afterwards. My knees are really achy. I keep telling myself it was just a tough game, but could it be arthritis?

A: This symptom may represent strain on the soft tissues surrounding the joint, but it may also represent the early stages of osteoarthritis (OA). If this symptom persists or worsens, or if the knees become swollen, it would be wise to consult with your physician.

Q: My neighbor lost 20 pounds and said her arthritis went away. Is that possible?

A: Weight loss can reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis, slow the progression of existing disease and reduce the symptoms of existing disease. Your neighbor's arthritis did not go away, but her symptoms may have lessened significantly or completely.

Q: I'd swear my shoulder can tell me when it's about to rain. Does the weather really affect arthritis?

A: The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis are frequently worsened in cool, damp or rainy weather. This association is blamed on atmospheric pressure changes that alter the pressure within a person's joints.

Q: My father had painful arthritis in his hands for as long as I can remember. Does this mean I'm going to get arthritis, too?

A: A study published in the British Medical Journal in 1996 demonstrated that the chance of inheriting OA of the hands may run as high as 65 percent. However, there are likely to be multiple genes involved as well as environmental factors, so I would not consider this to be a foregone conclusion.

Q: I am in my late 20s and have recently noticed that my joints crack a lot more than they used to. Why might this be happening? Is it age-related? Can you recommend any dietary supplements or exercises that would help?

A: Cracking and popping of joints is actually normal and nothing to be concerned about. Strangely enough, the exact reason joints pop and snap is not totally understood. One theory is that the ligaments (tethers that hold the bones together) make these noises as they get tight rapidly when the joint is moving. In some instances, popping may be due to a tendon snapping over or around the joint. Another theory is that nitrogen bubbles in the fluid inside the joint are rapidly brought into or out of solution when the joint is manipulated, such as cracking the knuckles in the hand. Whatever the cause, these sounds do not need to be specifically treated. There are no long-term silencing of these noises, and there is no basis for the admonition to not crack your knuckles because it can lead to arthritis. There are no supplements or exercises to prevent these noises. The only time to worry about cracking or popping of a joint is if there is pain when the joint pops. Swelling is not normal and should be evaluated if it accompanies the noises. If the joint gets locked or stuck when it pops or cracks, then it may indicate a joint problem that should be evaluated.