My mother is 83 yrs old and is in severe, intolerable pain/mostly back pain. She is currently taking methoextrate and has to live on hydocodone. She is in so much pain she wants to die. she has just been released from the hospital after 5 weeks. Is this collagen treatment over the counter?????? We'll try anything to help her. She has limited movement it seems to have extended from her back now to her upper limbs-arms. She can't lift them anymore. Any help would be appreciated.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. It's so hard to see those we love suffer. If it's methotrexate she's taking, be careful of the toxic effects. If she's nauseated or vomiting, losing hair or any renal failures, she's toxic and needs to get to the doctor for an antidote.

Type II collagen is not sold over-the-counter. I've only heard of a couple of sources. You'd think it would be more readily available after the research done by Harvard Medical School. We get our source from France. We know they are range fed chickens without steroids.

The chicken cartilage can not ever be toxic and you can use as much as you want. The only problem she might have is cleansing too quickly and so you should go slower if that happens. The way you'll know is if she is in more pain. I've known people who take up to 6 pills a day. The recommendation is 1-6 a day. She should experience results within 2 weeks. I would start her out on 1-2 a day and then increase steadily until she feels results.

I'm assuming that what she's suffering from is Rheumatoid Arthritis. If it's anything else, you might change what you give her. Also consider giving her a full spectrum supplement. The liquid is best for her because of her age. The drugs she's on could be depleting her calcium as well, this could also cause pain in her joints and back. She might want to supplement extra calcium.

This is the only "natural" treatment that I know of for Rheumatoid Arthritis. It has been very effective for many people. I'd be happy to send you the complete article.

To be truthful, I am looking for a miracle. I am currently taking methotrexate, and desperately wish to have another baby, but can not unless I can go off the drug. If I go off the drug I will stiffen up very quickly. I need something that will take care of my disease and keep me functional for at least 6 months, 3 months to get the drug out of my system and 3 (hopefully) to get pregnant. Then once I am pregnant I will be okay for the 9 months till delivery. Problem is, I am disabled and have very little money to spend on wishful thinking. Would you be interested in letting me try your product to see if it will work for me? Tell me if you are interested, and please tell me what the difference is between this product and why it works better than algae pills and tumeric and curcuminoids.

I just looked up about Methotrexate. There are a lot of bad side effects from this drug. It states "Because of the possibility of severe toxic reactions, fully inform patient of the risks involved. Do not use in women of childbearing age unless benefit outweighs risks; may cause hepatotoxicity, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, along with marked bone marrow depression. Death from intestinal perforation may occur." So be careful with this drug. You might want to talk to your doctor about alternative sources.

We have a lot of people who have tried the chicken cartilage and have had success in using it. Our product is 100% money back guaranteed. If you did try it and you feel unsatisfied with it for any reason, we will give you your money back. It's worth a try and it's not toxic, it's completely natural.

I would definitely try a full spectrum supplement and eat healthy, unrefined, as close to natural as possible, foods. Also plenty of water every day.

It does take 3 months (90 days) for your body to produce a new cell. So you need to stay with a healthy program for at least 3 months before you see a big difference. You can get some results within 2 weeks, but you need to be patient when it comes to natural sources for your body to heal.

The difference between this product and others is that Harvard Medical School did research on people who had ACTIVE, SEVERE, rheumatoid arthritis and chicken cartilage. 9 people were used on a double-blind test. 3 had complete remission and the other 6 had relief and a substantial difference in the disease. This was done in a 3 month study. The people who took the placebo had no change. We have a copy of the research article if you're interested in reading it. Just send us your address and we'll send it to you free.

A significant amount of research has been conducted into the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. For example, a 1994 study compared 500 mg per day of glucosamine sulfate 3 times per day to a placebo 3 times per day in 252 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. After only 4 weeks, glucosamine showed significant effectiveness above the placebo in improving pain and movement. Side effects from taking glucosamine were no different than side effects reported from those patients taking the placebo; in other words, there were no side effects. [W. Noack, et. al. "Glucosamine Sulfate in Osteoarthritis of the Knee." Osteoarthritis Cartilage, vol. 2 (1994) pgs. 51-59] These results are consistent with other double-blind studies that involve glucosamine and a placebo. [A. Drovanti, et al. "Therapeutic Activity of Oral Glucosamine Sulfate in Osteoarthritis: A Placebo-controlled Double-Blind Investigation." Clinical Therapy, vol.3 (1980) pgs 260-272].

Head-to-head studies also exist comparing Glucosamine Sulfate to NSAIDs. Remember that NSAIDS are common pain relieving anti-inflammatory over-the-counter and prescription level drugs. These drugs do provide for symptom relief, but have been PROVEN to promote and degenerative disease process -- NOT GOOD if you are seeking long-term improvements. In one study, the pain scores decreased faster in the first two weeks with those taking ibuprofen as compared to glucosamine sulfate. However, by week four the group receiving glucosamine sulfate had improved more than the ibuprofen group.[H. Muller-Fassbender, et al. "Glucosamine Sulfate Compared to Ibuprofen in Osteoarthritis of the Knee." Osteoarthritis Cartilage vol.2 (1994) pgs.61-69]

In general, given a similar time frame as what is occurring in studies, you should see results within approximately 4 weeks. But some individual factors in you body may delay the results or sadly even yield no results. Some of those factors would be the following:

• How degenerate is the condition of your joint. The less cartilage available in the existing joint, the slower the rate of cartilage repair and improvement.
  
  
• Are you supplementing with other important joint-friendly nutrients like chondroitin sulfate, minerals, and antioxidants: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Zinc, Niacinamide, Milk Thistle, Methionine, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin A, Copper, Boron, Manganese, and the Essential Fatty Acids (Click here for more information. To maximize the body's uptake and repair options you should consider a broad program that provides for many options for the body to use, just glucosamine sulfate provides only that one limited option. The "one nutrient will heal" is a false concept. Logic tells you that the body chemistry uses an entire symphony of nutrients in every chemical reaction. Cofactor joint support nutrients are all interrelated and work together to optimize the repair and stability of the joints.
  
  
• Do you have osteoarthritis or is it perhaps a rheumatoid arthritis condition (click here for more information on rheumatoid arthritis.) Even if not formally diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, if your condition is occuring because of trauma or injury to the joint, if it seems to flare up and down quite a bit, and if it is local to one or a couple joint areas (not a general problem in several areas of the body), then there is a high probability that your joint is being affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of several joints all over they body, and does not have as much of an active/dormant flaring. Determine if your symptoms are similar to the rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  

We have found that glucosamine sulfate provides quite unsatisfactory results to individuals with rheumatoid arthritis because an immune system problem exists that prevents the glucosamine from providing joint repair (Read the Harvard Medical Study and European Chicken Cartilage article on our site for more details.) Unsatisfactory customer results with our glucosamine sulfate/chondroitin sulfate product Flex Flow is precisely why we contracted with a pharmaceutical company in France and import our chicken cartilage product! We have had success with it; we even had one gentleman report a 2/16 to 3/16 increase in hip joint cartilage from supplementing with our chicken cartilage.

I know this is maybe sounding like a sales pitch, but if an adequate amount of time on glucosamine sulfate and your current program does not provide results I encourage you to contact us and give our program an 8 week trial. We provide an easy money back guarantee on all the products you purchase from us if you are not satisfied. You have an open door of healing opportunity to try our program with literally -0- financial risk. Thanks for your interest, hope the above is helpful.

Here is information on Celebrex.

Nutrients Depleted: Folic Acid

Potential depletion problems: Birth defects, cervical dysplasia, anemia, cardiovascular disease.

Available Compounds: Folate; Flinic Acid

Synonyms: Folacin

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency: Folic acid deficiency harms DNA metabolism, which causes abnormal cellular development, especially in cells with the most rapid rates of turnover, red blood cells, leukocytes, and epithelial cells of the stomach, intestine, vagina and uterine cervix. Folic acid needs are greater during pregnancy. Folic acid is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies. It is easily destroyed by heat, light and oxygen. Substantial losses occur in cooking and storage.

Symptoms of folic acid deficiency include megaloblastic anemia, birth defects, cervical dysplasia, elevated homocysteine, headache, fatigue, hair loss, anorexia, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, increased infections.

Anemia: Folic acid is necessary for the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes) which carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs. Folic acid deficiency results in anemia and reduced tissue oxygenation. This results in a condition known as megaloblastic anemia, which is a condition characterized by enlarged nucleated abnormal red blood cells. This condition can produce symptoms of tiredness, weakness, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Birth defects: Folic acid helps regulate neural development and the transfer of genetic material to new cells. Numerous drugs have been substantially increases a woman's need for folic acid and folic acid deficiency during pregnancy dramatically increases the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida and cleft palate. The link between folic acid deficiency and birth defects is so strong, I recommend that all women have their folic acid status checked before trying to become pregnant. If this practice were followed, thousands of birth defects would probably be prevented each year. A laboratory test called the Neutrophilic Hypersegmentation Index (NHI) has been developed that can identify the earliest stages of folate insufficiency.

Cervical dysplasia is a term that refers to the development of abnormal cells in the uterus. It is a precancerous condition that is usually discovered when a woman has her annual PAP exam. This condition may contribute to an increased number of hysterectomies. Over 800,000 women have hysterectomies every year in the United States. Some professionals believe that the folic acid depletion caused by oral contraceptives is linked to this high incidence of cervical dysplasia and hysterectomies.

Elevated homocysteine, also known as hyperhomocysteinemia, is now recognized as a serious independent risk factor to cardiovascular disease. Excess homocysteine is capable of causing direct damage to vascular endothelial cells, and thus it is now being called an arteriosclerotic agent. It has been reported that even moderate elevations of homocysteine represent increased risk for the development of arteriosclerosis and thrombosis.

Overview: Folic acid is a member of the B vitamin group. Isolated in 1946 from spinach leaves, its name come from folium, the Latin work for leaf. In the body, folic acid is converted to its biologically active from tetrahydrofolic acid (THFA). Niacin and vitamin C are necessary for this conversion. Structurally, folic acid consists of a pteridine (containing two rings) nucleus, conjugated with para-aminobenzoic acid, and glutamic acid. Hence, its chemical name is pteroylmonoglutamate.

Biological Function & Effect

• Like vitamin B12, folic acid is intimately involved in the synthesis of both DNA and RNA. Hence, it is essential for proper cellular division and the transmission of our genetic code to all newly formed cells.
  
  
• Folic acid may protect against certain types of cancers including precancerous cervical dysplasia in women (especially those taking oral contraceptives), bronchial squamous metaplasia in long-time heavy cigarette smokers, and dysplasia associated with ulcerative colitis and colon cancer.
  
  
• Folic acid prevents birth abnormalities such as neural tube defects, cleft palate and cleft lip.
  
  
• Essential for the healthy maturation of both red and white blood cells.
  
  
• Folic acid supplementation has been shown to prevent and reverse cervical dysplasia, which is recognized as a precancerous condition.
  
  
• Folic acid is required for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. High bleed levels of homocysteini are associated with the development of atherosclerosis.
  
  

Symptoms of Toxicity: Folic acid is essentially nontoxic, even at very high doses. Large doses of folic acid can mask an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency, which if gone undetected, could result in irreversible nerve damage. Consequently, folic acid is limited to 400 mcg in OTC nutritional supplements.

RDA: The RDA for folic acid is 200 mcg/day. Pregnant and lactating women require dosages higher than the RDA. Pharmacologic dosages in the scientific literature range from 400 mcg up to 4,00 mcg.

Dosage Range: 200-800 mcg/day; however, physicians occasionally need to administer doses to severely deficient patients ranging from 5000-10,000 mcg/day.

Dietary Sources:

• Folic acid occurs in a wide variety of foods. Best sources include dark green leafy vegetables, brewer's yeast, liver, and eggs.
  
  
• Other good sources are beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, orange juice, cabbage, cauliflower, cantaloupe, kidney and lima beans, wheat germ, whole grain cereals and breads.
  
  
• Folic acid is also synthesized by the "friendly" intestinal bacteria.
  
  

Forms: Tablet; Capsule; Liquid; Spray, liposomal; Tablet, effervescent.

My left little finger feels asleep and tingly and is somewhat deformed. Chiropractor says I have the spine of 80-120 year old with fused center-back vertabrae and spurs 1" long. I am 57 yrs old. Says probably have rheumatoid condition and should have blood tests. Says major arthritis problem. Wants to treat me every 2 days for 10 weeks. There must be a more direct way. What should I do?

How's your nutritional supplement program? Do you have one? The first thing to do for your body is to give it everything it needs to heal itself. Because your body is in such a challenged position, you will need to do extra things to get it back to a healthy balance.

Research shows that calcium spurs usually result from having your body calcium levels out-of-balance; so instead of incoming calcium going to the places it needs to, it deposits itself in your vertebrae, heels, wrists, or other weird places and builds up into spurs.

Calcium is one of the hardest minerals to absorb in the body. It needs at least 13 other known other co-factor nutrients to absorb properly. Is your calcium supplement comprehensive with these vitamins and minerals?

You might want to look at the Form of Calcium that is in your supplement. Is it a liquid? Is it chelated, or is it a cheap carbonate form that is not very absorbable? For information on calcium click here. Also, here are links so you can see what's in the Ultra Body Toddy (click here). I'm including the EFA link as well because it is also very important to have the Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in your daily supplement program (click here. I do think chiropractors are a good source of help...but the food and nutrients you take into your body are your best option for personally taking charge of your health.

Thanks for your confidence in us, and we hope this information helps you! Write again if you need further clarification or additional help.

There has been scientific research done on a natural supplement with Type II collagen, which is found in chicken cartilage. The results of the study were published in the September 24, l993 edition of the Science Journal. It was done in a 3 month period and in that time, all of the patients improved in all of the major clinical symptoms of severe active joint misery. Four of the patients in the collagen group had complete remission of the disease. In 10 days all the pain and inflammation were gone; in 30 days the patients could open up a new pickle jar and in 90 days they had maximum return of function.

We personally have had many people who have been helped with the European Chicken Cartilage. We have a copy of the Harvard Study article that we could send to you via "snail mail" if you'd like more info on it e-mail us your physical address. (Click Here for more information on the Harvard study.

My father is 66 and was diagnosed almost 2 years ago. He suffers from joint pain and swelling in the ankles and wrists most severely and is now most recently being bothered by a painful hip. He is not that physically active and is always zapped of energy probably because of the several medications he has been prescribed which include a steroid - Pretazone (sp?) Methatrexate (anti-inflammatory injection), etc. I would appreciate any information and I have enjoyed this web site. Thank you.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) works like an auto-immune disease, where the body attacks itself. Doctors don't know how to treat the disease, because they don't know why the body attacks itself, so they treat the symptoms, which can be helpful as far as pain, but there's always those side-effects.

The only research I know about where they actually treated the cause of the disease, and also relieved the symptoms of the disease, is in that Harvard Medical School study. It was a double blind study done on 60 patients with SEVERE, ACTIVE RA. They used a placebo and type II collagen (which comes from chicken cartilage).

There were no changes in the people who took the placebo but in the ones that received the Type II collagen ALL of them experienced a decrease in swollen and tender joints, and 4 of them had COMPLETE REMISSION OF THE DISEASE. Best of all, there were no side effects.

A complete nutrition program is vital for balancing your body and giving it everything it needs to heal and help itself. Here in our office, we have many satisfied customers who have been helped by chicken cartilage and full spectrum nutrition.

We provide a 60 to 90 day money back guarantee and hope you will take advantage and give our program a try. Here is a link for you to review our RA-Kit (nutritional support for Rheumatoid Arthritis at a $10 savings off of the wholesale prices.)

My whole body hurts (fibro they say) but my elbows to my finger tips are crippling me, I wake up screaming in pain (not to mention can't do anything and get my son to do my "net" things).

Arthritis can hit any season! But, it does hurt the most in the cold seasons. In fact, I know people who can predict the weather because of their arthritis!

Arthritis is a disease that is not going to go away unless you do something about it. There are a few different types of Arthritis. Osteo, Rheumatoid, Gout, and Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is the new kid on the block. Rheumatoid and Gout act as auto-immune diseases and have to be treated differently than the others. So, it's best to know what kind of Arthritis you have and then give your body what it needs nutritionally to help your body heal itself.

First thing I would recommend is to get on a full spectrum vitamin supplement. You body is obviously lacking something! In order for the body to function at it's peak, it needs over 54 nutrients every day. The way life is today, I think it's safe to assume no one gets all these in our foods. So first thing is to make sure your body is getting it. Then give it the "extras" like glucosamine and chondrotin sulfates for the arthritis.

We have a supplement that we highly recommend. Take a look at the website and find out what kind of Arthritis you have, then you can give your body the "extras" it needs to take care of itself. Then click on Products, then on full spectrum. The Ultra Body Toddy is the top of the line, I recommend that one. The Total Toddy is if you're not active or have trouble with vitamins.

My husband has been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. He will be 60 this year. He tried Celebrex, Vioox, and Naprosyn. None of these worked for him. He was referred to a Rheumatoligist, who started him on Methotrexate just this week. He is taking 3 tablets of 2.5mg per week. It has only been three days since he took his first dose. The pain in his hips is so bad that he has difficulty walking. X-rays of his hands and wrists show erosion of his joints. He began taking Lotrel for high blood pressure in October, and since that time his pain has increased tremendously. I would like to know if there is any relation between the the Lotrel and the increased pain, and if it is desirable to take the Methotrexate long term? I am a concerned wife, who can't stand seeing my husband suffer too much. Do you have any suggestions?

Have you seen the article on our website about Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? Harvard Medical School did research on RA and Type II collagen (which is only found in Chicken Cartilage). They found that Type II collagen can and does help! It's all natural...no side-effects. I'll give you the link so you can look at article (Click here to view the article). I know personally some people who have been tremendously helped by using a Full Spectrum Vitamin Supplement and chicken cartilage.

Any drug that you take will have side effects...sometimes you have to take the risk, sometimes you don't. Personally, I would always try nutrition first...since that's what our bodies are made from, and our bodies can heal themselves IF they have the raw material to work with!

Always work with your doctor on coming off of medications. Don't do any medication "cold turkey" if you decide to try to get off the medications.

For more information on rheumatoid arthritis click here.