There is considerable doubt in many minds as to the scientific value of this popular remedy.

Now, when I am confronted with an old folk medicine or remedy used for hundreds of years, I investigate it not with a doubt or suspicion, but with a great respect. I reserve my doubts and skepticism for the new toxic chemical drugs which are put on the market daily without much testing or clinical experience as to their true therapeutic value or undesirable side effects.

It seems to me that apple cider vinegar and honey treatment for arthritis may have true merit. People with arthritis are usually in a dilapidated state of health. Their general health is broken down. The functions of the vital organs are weakened and impaired. This is especially true of their digestive and assimilative systems. Most people of middle age and over usually experience diminished secretion of hydrochloric acid in their stomach. This condition leads to poor digestion and consequent inefficient assimilation of nutrients from the foods consumed. This lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach affects the whole metabolism, especially the mineral metabolism. The disturbed calcium metabolism is but one of the many known contributing causes of arthritis.

Apple cider vinegar and honey drink taken with meals helps to compensate for the insufficient secretion of hydrochloric acid and thus improves digestion of foods. This results in a better assimilation of nutrients and in improved metabolism. Of course, other fruit acids, such as lemon juice, apple juice, or fresh pineapple juice, taken with meals, will accomplish about the same effect.

Honey has many wonderful medicinal properties and is truly one of nature’s miracle foods. In biological medicine, honey replaces white sugar whenever a sweetener is needed: in drinks, in foods, etc. Both cider vinegar and honey are beneficial for the digestive tract and exert a favorable influence on constipation, which often accompanies arthritis.

A good use for apple cider vinegar and honey is in making a salad dressing. With cold-pressed vegetable oil and a few natural spices it makes a most delicious and wholesome dressing for fresh vegetable salads. Warning: ordinary white vinegar is not suitable for these purposes and should never be used. Use only natural apple cider vinegar of health food store quality.

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Once CMO has stopped the arthritic process, and halted the continuing destruction of cartilage, the body is then free to build up cartilage to normal levels again. But cartilage production is normally a very slow process. Glucosamine sulphate can speed up cartilage replacement dramatically. Ample cartilage levels are necessary to regain normal joint function and eliminate joint pain. Obviously cartilage replacement cannot be accomplished in an instant.

Scientific studies clearly demonstrate that it takes a few weeks for glucosamine to produce noticeable results. For example, a double-blind clinical study involving 178 patients in Beijing with osteoarthritis of the knees compared the effects of glucosamine with ibuprofen. Although both groups experienced improvements, the glucosamine provided a stronger effect, and was better tolerated than ibuprofen. A general summary of several studies indicates that glucosamine gradually reduces joint pain and tenderness while improving ease of movement.

Another study, reported in the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet in January 2001 found that glucosamine sulphate used for long term did appear to prevent changes in joint structure and significantly improve symptoms of osteoarthritis. This was three year, double blind study.

In contrast, another medical study indicated that older, heavier people with severe arthritis may not respond as well to glucosamine therapy. Since some studies assert that as people age they lose the ability to manufacture sufficient levels of glucosamine, it may be even more important for older people to take glucosamine regularly as part of a maintenance therapy.

Other glucosamine medical studies indicated that patients taking nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory prescription drugs (NSAIDS) were able to comfortably cut their dosages to one-third or one-half of their customary amounts. Clinical trials have proved that aspirin and other NSAIDS inhibit cartilage repair, and accelerate cartilage destruction. Although they help relieve pain they contribute to the worsening of arthritis.

Glucosamine is needed in the formation of a wide variety of body structures including tendons, ligaments, vertebral disks, synovial fluid, cell membranes, blood vessels, skin, organs, nails, hair, bone, and the connective tissues which literally fill in gaps all over our body. Studies conducted on humans taking daily dosages of glucosamine between 500mg to l,500mg per day have demonstrated the ability of dietary glucosamine to stimulate the production of connective tissue and its repair. Some of the benefits reported from these clinical studies include:

• Improved joint structure and function.

• Maintenance of cartilage tissue.

• Repair of worn and damaged connective tissues in joints.

• Growth of cartilage, collagen, skin tissue, ligaments, and other connective tissues.

• Promotion of the manufacture of the body’s natural joint lubricant.

• Improved skin appearance and thickness.

Connective tissues are chiefly made of collagen, a tough stringy protein. Collagen is a major tissue in the human body, making up almost 30% of total body protein content. The building and rebuilding of collagen in the body is a constant process. During periods of stress, exercise, or wear the demand for the building blocks of collagen and proteoglycans increases. More glucosamine in needed to keep up with this demand. The body makes glucosamine from glucose, but there are no significant food sources of glucosamine. Taking supplemental glucosamine stimulates the production of the collagen needed to make connective tissue.

Glucosamine sulphate has been used in most clinical studies all over the world. It has a long history of safe and effective use by humans; contains a beneficial sulphur molecule; is backed by detailed clinical research on thousands of human subjects; and its absorption and bioavailability are confirmed. Some other forms of glucosamine may be inferior, but recent research indicates that glucosamine HC1 is also effective. Some scientists believe that glucosamine sulphate has added benefits because it also supplies the body with sulphur, which is an element that is used in connective tissue formation.

There are indications that long-term glucosamine use may sometimes affect blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Diabetics should monitor blood sugar levels more frequently while taking glucosamine. People with peptic ulcers should take glucosamine sulphate with foods. Glucosamine may also reduce the effectiveness of diuretics.

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