Dr. Morrow’s Arthritis Secrets EBook–Free
Dr. Morrow’s Arthritis Secrets
A patient’s guide to the latest knowledge about arthritis
PART 1 – FACTS ABOUT ARTHRITIS
About Arthritis
How many types of arthritis are there?
What is osteoarthritis (OA)?
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
What is gout?
How many people suffer from arthritis?
What is the societal impact of arthritis?
Causes
What causes osteoarthritis?
How do joint injuries result in OA?
What is the association between allergies and OA?
Risk Factors
What are the risk factors for OA?
What is primary OA?
What factors increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor for OA?
Symptoms and Diagnosis
What are the symptoms of OA?
What joints are most commonly involved in OA?
Could my back or neck problems be related to OA?
How is OA diagnosed?
What would my doctor see on an X-ray to diagnose OA?
What is the association between depressed mood, chronic pain, and osteoarthritis?
Treatment Options
What are some of the treatment options for OA?
What is the connection between food and OA?
How does weight loss affect arthritis?
What is evidence based medicine?
Recent Studies and References
How effective are NSAIDs at treating the pain associated with OA?
What impact does weight reduction have on OA?
How effective is chondroitin sulfate for treating OA?
How effective is acupuncture for treating OA?
Which drug is more effective for treating OA: acetaminophen or NSAIDS?
Scientific references
How effective are physical interventions in the treatment of knee osteoarthritic pain?
How effective are hyaluronic acid injections in relieving knee pain?
PART 2 – FACTS ABOUT ARTHROLEVE UHI™
What is Arthroleve™?
Who should take Arthroleve™?
What are the ingredients?
How does Arthroleve™ work?
How can joint trauma cause chronic pain?
Who should not take Arthroleve™?
How much should I take?
What are the possible side effects?
What is your guarantee?
How was Arthroleve™ developed?
What is a meta-analysis?
What scientific research was used to create Arthroleve™?
What is the NPA TruLabel Program?
Who is University Health Industries?
What other nutraceuticals are available from UHI?
References
About Arthritis
An overwhelming amount of information about arthritis exists on the internet—and sadly, much of it is outdated or just plain wrong. In this booklet, Jarret D. Morrow, MD, president and chief scientific officer of University Health Industries, presents an overview of known facts based on current research.
How many types of arthritis are there?
Researchers have identified more than 100 different types of arthritis. The most common are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
What is osteoarthritis?
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is generally associated with aging and joint wear and tear. It can also result from other disorders such as diabetes. OA affects many joints, from the large, weight-bearing joints of the hips and knees to the smaller joints of the spine, hands, feet, and shoulders.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-lasting disease where the immune system—the body’s defense against disease—mistakenly attacks itself and causes the joint lining to swell. The inflammation then spreads to the surrounding tissues, where it can damage cartilage and bone. RA can affect joints in any part of the body, but the hands, wrists, and knees are the most common. In more severe cases, rheumatoid arthritis can affect the skin, eyes, nerves, and internal organs.
What is gout?
Gout is a painful condition that occurs when the body cannot eliminate a natural substance called uric acid. The excess uric acid forms needle-like crystals in the joints that cause swelling and severe pain. Gout most often affects the big toe, knee, and wrist joints.
How many people suffer from arthritis?
More than 46 million adults in America suffer from arthritis and chronic pain. Approximately one-half of these individuals suffer from OA, and that number is growing rapidly as the population over age 50 increases. By 2030, the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion estimates that 67 million Americans will have been diagnosed with an arthritic condition.
What is the societal impact of arthritis?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritic conditions are the main cause of disability in the USA. These conditions cost the U.S. economy more than $128 billion annually, and that figure will continue to increase as the population ages.
Causes
What causes osteoarthritis?
In OA, biochemical and metabolic changes in the body result in the breakdown of joint cartilage. Over time, the joint cartilage wears away and bony growths (osteophytes) may form at the edges of joints. The cartilage loses its ability to effectively cushion the area between the two bones, and osteophytes may press on surrounding tissue. This results in pain that may range from mild to disabling.
How do joint injuries result in OA?
Chondrocytes are cells in the joint that produce cartilage. They normally die off (apoptosis) at a rate of less than 1 percent. But within 48 hours of trauma to a joint, the cell death rate shoots up dramatically—sometimes as high as 37 percent. The dying cells stimulate the release of enzymes that destroy cartilage, which in turn can lead to arthritis.
What is the association between allergies and OA?
There is some evidence of a potential link between food sensitivities and joint inflammation in certain individuals. More research in this area is needed to determine the nature of this connection.
Risk Factors
What are the risk factors for OA?
· Advancing age
· Obesity
· Insulin resistance or diabetes
· Congenital abnormalities
· Joint injuries
· Lack of physical activity
· Hereditary susceptibility
What is primary OA?
Osteoarthritis is classified as primary (idiopathic) when the exact cause is unknown, and secondary if it is associated with a specific disease or condition such as diabetes. Most primary OA is related to aging. Approximately 80-90 percent of men and women have evidence of OA by the time they reach age 65.
In the vast majority of cases, OA develops silently before causing noticeable pain and stiffness. Affected individuals often do not have any symptoms until after age 50.
What factors increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor for OA?
Your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes increases with the number of risk factors. If any of the risk factors below apply to you, please talk to a health care professional about how to lower your risk and determine if testing is needed.
· Obesity. Excessive body weight increases diabetes risk.
· Apple-shaped figure. Individuals whose bodies store fat in the abdominal area have a higher risk of diabetes than those who store excess weight in the hips and thighs.
· Age. Age increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
· Sedentary lifestyle. Regular physical activity can prevent excess weight, which is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. A second benefit of regular physical activity is improved blood sugar control in people who already have type 2 diabetes.
· Family history. The genetic link for type 2 diabetes is stronger than the genetic link for type 1. Having a blood relative with type 2 diabetes increases the risk. If that person is a first-degree relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, the risk is even higher.
· History of diabetes in pregnancy. If you had diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), you have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
· Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Also known as pre-diabetes, IGT means that the individual’s blood sugar level is elevated, but still below the level that qualifies as diabetes.
· Ethnic ancestry. Being of Aboriginal, African, Latin, or Asian descent increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Risk levels for these groups are two to six times higher than for Americans of Caucasian origin.
· High blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to have or develop diabetes.
- High cholesterol or other fats in the blood. People with diabetic conditions often have high levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
What are the symptoms of OA?
Pain is the most frequent symptom of OA. Other common symptoms are morning stiffness in the joint, limited range of movement, and crepitus (a crackling sound or feeling) when the joint is moved.
The pain of osteoarthritis is described as a sharp ache or burning sensation that worsens with use. Pain increases as cartilage erodes and bone surfaces lose their protection. The chronic pain and stiffness leads to decreased movement, which in turn allows the muscles to atrophy and ligaments to become lax.
What joints are affected by OA?
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body. The most common are the large weight-bearing joints such as the knees or hips, but OA can also develop in the fingers, hands, feet, shoulders, lower lumbar vertebrae, and the cervical spine.
Could my back or neck problem be related to OA?
Yes, it could. Vertebrae are bones, and areas between them are joints protected by cartilage disks. In addition to the problems resulting from disk erosion, osteophytes can also grow around the vertebrae in the neck or back. These can put pressure on the nerve root or other surrounding tissues (impingement on the spinal foramina), creating symptoms such as
· pain that radiates down the leg or arms (radicular pain)
· muscle spasms
· muscle atrophy
· neurological deficits
How is OA diagnosed?
If you suspect osteoarthritis, your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your medical history, a physical exam, and X-rays of the affected joints. Your physician may also order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), an arthroscopy (examining the joint through a small incision), or arthrocentesis (drawing fluid from a swollen joint)
Researchers are currently attempting to identify markers in the blood that are associated with the severity of OA in each patient. A recent study found that patients with especially high levels of TNF alpha (a protein that is part of the immune system) generally had lower physical function, more OA symptoms, and worse knee radiographic scores. (Pennix et al, 2004)
What does the doctor see on an X-ray to diagnose OA?
In a joint affected by osteoarthritis, the space where the two bones meet is abnormally narrow. This condition, known as joint space narrowing, results from the cartilage breakdown that occurs with OA. The radiologist will also look for bony outgrowths at the edges of joints (osteophytes), another characteristic of OA.
What is the association between depressed mood and the chronic pain of osteoarthritis?
Arthritis and depression are common and important health problems, and older adults are more likely to suffer from both. Patients with both conditions generally experience more pain and functional impairment than individuals dealing with pain alone (Bair et al, 2004). Systematic depression management has been demonstrated to be effective in decreasing pain severity among arthritis patients (Lin et al, 2006).
Treatment Options Options
What are some of the treatment options for OA?
A multifaceted approach is best for maximum control over osteoarthritis. Every patient is unique and should—in conjunction with a physician—use whatever combination of treatments works best:
· patient education about OA
· exercise
· weight control
· physiotherapy
· anti-inflammatory drugs
· non-narcotic analgesics such as acetaminophen
· alternative medicines and natural remedies
· acupuncture
· local injections of glucorticoids
· surgery to relieve chronic pain in damaged joints
What is the connection between food and OA?
Although the current consensus within the medical community is that is diet and arthritis are not connected, there is some evidence that certain types of diets, with specific amounts of calories, protein, and fatty acids, may affect the inflammation that occurs with arthritis. An increasing number of physicians recognize the need to re-evaluate this position in light of new knowledge about food and its potential role in treating or preventing chronic conditions such as arthritis.
How does weight loss affect arthritis?
Recent studies indicate that that weight loss through diet and exercise improves physical function in older obese adults with knee OA, and that those with the most weight loss show the greatest improvement (Miller et al, 2006). One clinical study showed that a weight loss of just 10 percent resulted in a functional improvement of 28 percent (Christensen et al, 2005).
A recent meta-analysis demonstrated that patient education and exercise regimens each had a modest, yet clinically important, influence on well-being for OA patients. (Devos-Comby L et al, 2006).
What is evidence based medicine (EBM)?
Evidence based medicine (EBM) is a new paradigm for making decisions about a patient’s health. Rather than relying exclusively on their own professional expertise, physicians using EBM also evaluate current clinical research to help make decisions about medical treatments and patient care. The evidence used may include randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews of series of trials, meta-analyses, and other information collection and research activities.
RECENT STUDIES
How effective are NSAIDs at treating the pain associated with OA?
A recent meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Pain concluded that the clinical effects of oral NSAID therapy in patients with moderate to severe arthritis are small and limited to the first three weeks after the start of treatment (Bjordal et al, 2007).
What impact does weight reduction have on OA?
A recent randomized trial concluded that an intensive weight loss intervention program of diet and exercise improved physical function in older obese adults with knee OA (Miller et al, 2006).
How effective is chondroitin sulfate for treating OA?
A very recent meta-analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that the “symptomatic benefit of chondroitin is minimal or nonexistent. Use of chondroitin in routine clinical practice should therefore be discouraged” (Reichenbach et al, 2007).
How effective is acupuncture for treating OA?
A recent meta-analysis on acupuncture for peripheral joint arthritis concluded that although further studies are needed to adequately evaluate its effectiveness for OA, acupuncture’s favorable safety profile makes it an option worth considering (Kwon et al, 2006).
Which drug is more effective for treating OA: acetaminophen or NSAIDS?
A recent review from the Cochrane Collaboration database concluded that NSAIDS appear to be more effective than acetaminophen for the treatment of arthritis (Towheed et al, 2006).
How effective are physical interventions in the treatment of knee osteoarthritic pain?
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most common knee joint affected by OA. A recent meta-analysis published in BMC Musculoskeltal Disorders (Bjordal JM, et), concluded that “TENS, EA and LLLT administered with optimal doses in an intensive 2-4 week treatment regimen, seem to offer clinically relevant short-term pain relief for OAK.” [Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, including interferential currents), electro-acupuncture (EA) and low level laser therapy (LLLT)]. If you suffer from OA of the knees, you may want to talk to your doctor about these treatment options.
How effective are hyaluronic acid injections in relieving knee pain?
“
“1. Consider injections of hyaluronic acid injections only after conservative therapy has been tried for atleast three months or the patient is unable to tolerate NSAIDS.
2. Stress to patients that pain relief may not be fully experienced until 5-7 weeks following the last injection.”
REFERENCES
Miller GD, Niclas BJ, Davis C, Loeser RF, Lenchik L, Messier SP. Intensive weight loss program improves physical function in older obese adults with knee osteoarthritis. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2006 July;14(7):1219-30.
Christensen R, Astrup A, Bliddal H. Weight loss: the treatment of choice for knee osteoarthritis? A randomized trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2005 Jan;3(1):20-7.
Penninx BW, Abbas H, Ambrosius W, Nicklas BJ, Davis C, Messier SP, Pahor M. Inflammatory markers and physical function among older adults with knee osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol. 2004 Oct;31(10):2027-31.
Devos-Comby L, Cronan T, Roesch SC. Do exercise and self-management interventions benefit patients with osteoarthritis of the knee? A metaanalytic review. J Rheumatol. 2006 Apr;33(4):744-56.
Bjordal JM, Klovning A, Ljunggren AE, Slordal L. Short-term efficacy of pharmacotherapeutic interventions in osteoarthritic knee pain: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. European Journal of Pain. 2007;11:125-138.
Miller GD, Nicklas BJ, Davis C, Loeser RF, Lenchik L, Messier SP. Intensive weight loss program improves physical function in older obese adults with knee osteoarthritis. Obesity. 2006 Jul;14(7):1219-30.
Reichenbach S, Sterchi R, Scherer M, Trelle S, Burgi E, Burgi U, Dieppe PA, Juni P. Meta-analysis: chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Ann Intern Med. 2007 April 17;146(8):580-90.
Kwon YD, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2006 Nov;45(11):1331-7.
Towheed TE, Maxwell L, Judd MG, Catton M, Hochberg MC, Wells G. Acetaminophen for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jan 25;1:CD004257.
Bjordal JM, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bogen B, Chow R, Ljunggren AE. Short-term efficacy of physical interventions in osteoarthritic knee pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007 Jun 22;8:51.
Modawal A, Ferrer M, Choi HK, Castle JA. Hyaluronic acid injections relieve knee pain. J Fam Pract. 2005 Sep;54(9):758-67.
PART 2 – FACTS ABOUT ARTHROLEVE UHI™
What is Arthroleve™?
Arthroleve UHI™ brings you the best in natural joint pain relief and cartilage repair without dangerous side effects.† Independent clinical trials report that the ingredients in Arthroleve™
· relieve bone and joint pain†
· support cartilage building and repair†
· improve joint function and stiffness†
Our physicians and pharmacologists formulated Arthroleve™ after months of reviewing university research studies worldwide. The result is a powerful nutraceutical that’s as effective as other joint pain products without risking damage to the digestive system, heart, liver, or other internal organs.†
Potent yet safe, each easy-to-swallow Arthroleve UHI™ caplet is made in America and meets stringent GMP pharmaceutical quality standards. It is available without a prescription.
Who should take Arthroleve™?
Arthroleve™ is recommended for adults suffering from
· joint or bone pain caused by trauma or excessive use
· joint or bone pain caused by strenuous or repetitive activity
· non-specific lower back pain (NSLBP)
· weakened bones and joints due to age or injury
Arthroleve™ is also beneficial for individuals who want to maintain and strengthen healthy joints.
What are the ingredients in Arthroleve™?
How does Arthroleve™ work?
Arthroleve™ helps repair and protect chondrocytes, the cells that produce joint cartilage. Its natural compounds suppress chemicals (matrix degrading enzymes) that interfere with cartilage production and contribute to pain and inflammation.
At the same time, Arthroleve™ nourishes the live chondrocytes with essential building blocks for new cartilage, thus supporting the repair and regeneration of connective tissue in the joint.
How can joint trauma cause chronic pain?
Who should not take Arthroleve™?
How much should I take?
The baseline dosage is one caplet twice daily. For additional benefit, you may increase the dose to two caplets twice daily.
What are the possible side effects?
No serious side effects have been reported for the ingredients in Arthroleve™. Higher dosages may cause mild or occasional gastrointestinal upset, mainly diarrhea, in some individuals.
How was Arthroleve™ developed?
A meta-analysis collects data from many similar research studies, then analyzes the pooled data for statistical significance.
What scientific evidence was used to create Arthroleve™?
Below is a representative sample of the scientific evidence used in formulating patent-pending Arthroleve™. The reference sources are provided at the end of this booklet.
S-adenosyl methionine
- In a double-blind crossover trial, the authors concluded that S-adenosyl methionine is as effective as celecoxib (Celebrex®) in the management of symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (Najm WI et al, 2004).
- A meta-analysis concluded that S-adenosyl methionine appears to be as effective as NSAIDS in reducing pain and improving functional limitation in patients with osteoarthritis without the adverse effects often associated with NSAID therapies (Soeken et al, 2003).
- S-adenosyl methionine plays an important role in the liver, acting as a protective agent for oxidative stress. Patients with liver disease often become deficient and may benefit from the administration of this supernutrient (Liber, 2002).
Harpagophytum procumbens
- A recent double-blind pilot study comparing Harpagophytum procumbens to rofecoxib (Vioxx®) found both treatment groups responded equally well in the treatment of lower back pain. The authors also found that 20 percent of the patients treated for low back pain with Harpagophytum procumbens were completely pain free after six weeks of treatment (Chrubasik et al, 2003).
- In a recent review of the literature on Harpagophytum procumbens, the study authors concluded that there is strong evidence for its effectiveness in treating non-specific lower back pain (NSLBP) and moderate evidence for its effectiveness in treating osteoarthritis pain (Gagnier et al, 2004).
Glucosamine sulfate
- In Drug Discovery Today, a 2004 review article concluded that glucosamine sulfate was effective in narrowing joint space, as a structure-modifying agent to protect joints, and in symptomatic relief of arthritic pain (Curtis et al, 2004).
- A recent review of the scientific literature published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy concluded that available evidence suggests glucosamine sulfate may be effective and safe in improving symptoms and delaying the progression of knee osteoarthritis (Poolsup et al, 2005).
What is the NPA TruLabel Program?
|
Every year university labs around the globe identify research and test natural compounds and formulations which have the potential to improve our quality of life.
The majority of these potentially life changing discoveries are never commercialized for the benefit of the public.
|
|
University Health Industries, in collaboration with university based researchers worldwide, researches and identifies those compounds that have proven evidence based effects and have the greatest potential for improving our lives. |
|
University Health Industries’ mission is to deliver the latest advances and discoveries in natural compounds packaged in our unique patented formulations and delivered to satisfy the needs of consumers for the promotion of health for many common age-related health concerns. |
UHI is a proud American company with offices and manufacturing facilities in Boca Raton, Florida. All of our products are GMP-approved and made in the United States to ensure they adhere to standards the American public can trust.
· Zenstral PMS™ for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)†
· Premium SAMe UHI™ for mood support†
· Cold & Flu RMD for immune system support and relief from the common cold†
Curtis CL, Harwood JL, Dent CD, Caterson B. Biological basis for benefit of nutraceutical supplementation in arthritis. Drug Discovery Today. 2004;9:16572.
Bressa GM. S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) as antidepressants: meta-analysis of clinical studies. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 1994;154:7-14.
Najm WI, Reinsch S, Hoehler F, Tobis JS, Harvery PW. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms: a double-blind cross-over trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004 Feb 26;5(1):6.
Liber CS. S-adenosyl-L-methionine: its role in the treatment of liver disorders. AM J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(5):1183s-7s.
Setty AR, Sigal LH. Herbal medications commonly used in the practice of rheumatology: mechanisms of action, efficacy, and side effects. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Jun;34(6):773-84.
Jacobsen S., Dannekiold-Samsoe B, Andersen RB. Oral S-adenosylmethionine in primary fibromyalgia. Double-blind clinical evaluation. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 1991;20(4):294-302.
Williams Al, Girard C, Jui D, Sabrina A, Katz DL. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) as treatment for depression: a systematic review. Clinical & Investigative Medicine – Medecine Clinique et Experimentale. 2005 June;28(3):132-9.
Soeken KL, Lee W, Bausell R, Anelli M, Berman BM. Safety and efficacy of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for osteoarthritis. ACP J Club. 2003 Jan-Feb;138(1):21.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Jarret Morrow University Health Industries Arthroleve Arthritis Dietary Supplement , Joint pain fibromyalgia Zenstral PMS

Read several of your articles and blogs
Will likely have left knee replacement ( minimal cartilege) in several years. Trying to lose 20 lbs
and will try cortisone if no improvement
Daily pain but virtually none WHEN IT RAINS
Isnt this contrary to typical experience ?
Thanks
Wayne, thank you for your comment on this post. I am sorry to hear about the condition of your knees. I myself grew up in Canada playing hockey and downhill skiing which means that I too have experienced a significant amount of cartilage damage to one of my knees.
Weight loss is a good choice for relieving stress on your knee joint. You can also talk to your doctor about hyaluronic acid knee injections–although they can be very expensive. I can’t use wordpress to advertise, but my company also makes a nutraceutical joint health product.
My article on weather and arthritis discussed how cold weather as well as how high pressure systems affect joint pain. I am not a meteorologist, but my understanding is that rain often occurs during low pressure systems. If I am correct, then it would not be surprising that you do not experience knee pain when it rains.
Cheers,
Dr. Jarret