Simplified Conundrum About Dietary Supplements
Written: Feb 10 '02 (Updated Nov 23 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: These dietary supplements actually work as advertised.
Cons: Enormous capsules suitable for horses and Martha Raye.
The Bottom Line: Dietary supplements once considered bad medicine are now proven to provide relief with minimal side effects. Sometimes, alternative medicine is the way to go.
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| pogomom's Full Review: All about Glucosamine and Chondroitin |
You suffer through the infomercials during bouts of insomnia. You wonder if the product really does what the oddly groomed late-night shills testify to in their practiced rapid-pace dialogues. Your hand tentatively reaches for the bedside phone and pauses in mid air. You know better!
As a long-time member of IA (Infomercials Anonymous), I have the ability to spot a ruse on sight. The reason for my expertise in this area stems from an ongoing battle with back pain. Concentrating on mindless, thirty-minute commercials beats giving in to ever-present agony.
Free at Last… Free at Last!
Thankfully, those nights of bleary-eyed viewing ended when I began a self-prescribed course of treatment. Flushing the Fentinyl, purging the Percodan and aspirating the analgesics made my life a temporary hell. Once free of all opiates and derivatives, I learned the truth about what those medications hid from my reality: searing, throbbing and excruciating neuralgia.
Dismissing the doctor prescribing all those symptom suppressors gave me a sense of freedom. For almost two years, the umbilical cord connecting me to Dr. Feelgood’s Pain Clinic ruled my existence. I cannot blame the well-certified anesthesiologist for my medically sanctioned dependence. His office provides a most necessary service for those whose anguish makes day-to-day living a nightmare. For me, the good physician’s methods only served to quell the pain but never truly treated the malady.
Inholtra™ Pain Relief Plus nutritional supplements saved me from a life of pain. I realize this grandiose statement appears a bit over the top. Instead of treating the symptoms, Inholtra™ ministered to the actual problem. Days after my initial dose, agility and the ability to move without discomfort returned. Within weeks of first ingesting the enormous capsules, I felt complete relief.
Dogged by Pain No More!
In truth, my personal introduction to Inholtra™ had nothing to do with those energetic emulators of Ron Popiel. The product and others of its ilk receive full coverage on the late night circuit, but I managed to come across the wondrous remedy by way of my dog’s veterinarian.
While living in the Tucson area in 1994, our precious Pogo woke up one morning unable to walk. Fearing the worst, I rushed him to the vet while praying for relief from pain for our beloved canine cutie. The local veterinary practitioner liked to utilize more than mainstream methods and procedures. He incorporated acupuncture; massage therapy and dietary supplements into his patients’ prescribed regime. Most of his clients appeared open to innovative ideas so the good doctor was definitely in his element.
Our nine-year-old Pogo put up with x-rays and palpations; manipulations; injections and the gamut of usual diagnostics. An early diagnosis of hip dysplasia and lower lumbar damage (at eighteen months) prepared us for the possibility of surgery later in his life.
The kind DVM assured me that there were other less invasive possibilities to explore; first of which was a dietary supplement containing Glucosamine and Chondroitin coupled with EFA capsules. The fish oils contained within the EFA caps enhanced the properties of the other supplements. The objective was clear. If all went well, the supplements would cause a regeneration of collagen in Pogo’s hip joints and between the damaged vertebrae. In turn, the cushioning would stop the abrasion causing the ongoing damage to worsen and possibly allow the healing process to begin for our poor darling.
He Walks! He Woofs! He Crawls on His Belly Like a Reptile!
Instructed to expect no real change for at least three weeks; we watched as Pogo spent his days on the kitchen floor passing time between doses of codeine and the Glucosamine cocktail. Three days later, I woke to find my loving companion next to me, on my bed. As I watched the formerly disabled darling leap from the bed, I gasped. Pogo headed for the door with full intentions of taking a walk and so we did and continued to do for another six and half years.
Upon returning to our Florida home, I asked our local veterinarian to take another set of films to compare with those early ones from his original diagnosis and those I brought back from Arizona. While viewing the seemingly miraculous recovery, the vet refused to believe in the dietary supplements’ regenerative properties. Even though he agreed that by all standards, Pogo should not have been able to walk, again, the doctor insisted upon calling the entire concept “hoodoo voodoo.” I immediately switched to another animal hospital for the care of our pets.
Pogo continued taking various forms of Glucosamine and Chondroitin along with EFA capsules until his dying day. It made the quality of his life so much better. One aside that requires mention is the fact that after six to nine months on a particular brand of this supplement combination, the patient needs to switch to another brand. Immunity seems to occur regularly, so we learned to make the switch before the slump occurred and Pogo’s pain returned.
Pogo and Mom – Birds of a Feather
Two years after starting Pogo on his daily routine of downing enormous pills hidden in cream cheese, I found another source of all the necessary nutrients required to keep him on an even keel. A local health food store displayed Inholtra™ prominently beside the cash register. Waiting to check out with my usual vitamin supplies, I picked up the hefty brochure explaining the benefits of the featured supplement. Two of these capsules provide the perfect amount of both Glucosamine and Chondroitin suspended in fish oils. While more expensive than the two bottles I usually ordered from our veterinarian, it would make dosing Pogo much simpler.
The icing on the proverbial cake came within those printed pages. I learned that the combination of supplements had undergone extensive research along with a double blind study at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. In the trials, humans took the combination with results ranging from satisfactory to remarkable. The only reported side effects (loose stools) disappeared within two or three days of initial treatment.
I purchased two copies of the informative issue and telephoned my mother. The following day, FedEx delivered two bottles of Inholtra™ along with the informative booklet to Mom’s door. At the time, her only relief came from adopting a prone position with ice packs pressed against her spine and 3-Star Anesthall® liniment periodically massaged in after a hot shower.
Mom suffered from debilitating bouts of sciatica until braving her first dose of Inholtra™. Whether her amazing recovery was psychosomatic or due to the supplements; she spent the second day of treatment cleaning. Kitchen cabinets and those obscure dusty items she normally ignored received a full treatment. She called to say that she no longer stands on one foot when washing dishes – a habit developed to control or avoid the pain during bouts of sciatica - Inholtra™ gave my mother back her independence.
96 Pages of Enlightenment
The booklet, titled ”Frequently Asked Questions All about Glucosamine & Chondroitin” offered up a wealth of information. The last of my family to adopt the daily routine of swallowing two Inholtra™ capsules was me. Reading and rereading the pages of dry facts combined with witnessing the recovery enjoyed by both my mother and my pet convinced me to try it. Sure, Mom’s sudden upswing from bed-ridden to bouncing around might be the result of suggestion. Pogo’s miraculous rebirth was nothing of the kind; no preconceived notions colored his recovery. The substances worked for them and took me off the disabled list with equally rapid results.
Without the data and FAQ contained within ”Frequently Asked Questions All about Glucosamine & Chondroitin,” I probably would not have subjected my mother to what proved to be a truly innovative, pain-free and successful treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions All about Glucosamine & Chondroitin
The book featured in my never-ending commentary is endowed with enough pertinent content to enable most non-medical professionals to conclude whether or not this mode of treatment is appropriate for their specific circumstances. The author, Jack Challem, answers most questions in terms anyone can understand. For my own purposes, I used the collection of facts in conjunction with another booklet (now out of print) the manufacturers of Inholtra™ shipped with early orders of their product. Since Mr. Challem’s publication is widely available online and in stores catering to those subscribing to a healthy lifestyle, please allow me to share some of the particulars contained within the more specific Inholtra™ pamphlet titled:
INHOLTRA PAIN RELIEF PLUS
Allow me to share some of the more useful Questions & Answers:
”What makes Inholtra™ unique enough to be patented?
Inholtra™ is the first synergistically complete nutritional formula for joint pain. This nutritional formula offers true pain relief by getting to the root of the problem. In addition to easing inflammation, Inholtra™ helps repair damaged joint cartilage. Inholtra's nine ingredients are carefully combined to help relieve the inflammation, stiffness and pain associated with joint discomfort. Typical painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications only treat the symptoms. Inholtra™ makes a beeline to the cause of the problem, so the pain goes away for good.
How have the ingredients in Inholtra™ been tested?
Medical professionals have studied the ingredients in Inholtra™ for decades. The benefits of these ingredients in relieving inflammation and pain are well documented in American and European reports. Inholtra™ was formulated before the ingredients were widely popularized in The Arthritis Cure, by Jason Theodosakis, M.D.
Cetyl-Myristoleate (CMO) has been used in other arthritis formulas. Why is this ingredient not found in Inholtra™?
Inholtra™ does not include CMO since the effectiveness of this product is still under debate and the cost is prohibitively high.
Are there any side effects?
None, when taken as directed.” (Pogomom’s note: Someone neglected to mention bouts of diarrhea during the first few days of use.)
“Why does Inholtra™ use two forms of Glucosamine?
Inholtra™ combines Glucosamine sulfate and N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) for maximum effectiveness. Clinical studies have shown glucosamine sulfate to be one of the best natural products for maintaining healthy joints and cartilage. NAG is believed to have the same beneficial effects, and has been clinically proven to help repair the musocal membrane of the gastro-intestinal tract. Irritation to the GI tract or "leaky-gut syndrome" contributes to certain forms of joint discomfort and tends to aggravate inflammatory processes in the body.
Inholtra™ contains only quality glucosamines. The utilized glucosamine sulfate is potassium (rather than sodium) bound. This is good news for people looking for ways to lower their sodium intake - including those with high blood pressure. Potassium helps regulate water retention and prevent muscle cramps.
Why are vitamins C & E in the formula?
These vitamins are major antioxidants. They break the chain of free radicals that are extremely damaging to the body's cells, tissues, and membranes - protecting the joints. Experts report that 200 times more free radicals are found in rheumatic than non-rheumatic tissue. Vitamins C and E also protect the essential fatty acids (EPA,DHA, and GLA) from oxidation.
What is the purpose of the special oils found in Inholtra™?
Inholtra™ contains essential fatty acids derived from fish oils (EPA and DHA) and borage oil (GLA). These acids increase the synthesis of chemical messengers called prostaglandins, which help the body fight inflammation and joint swelling (two major sources of arthritis pain). By supplying these ingredients, Inholtra™ harnesses the body’s own healing powers to reduce pain.
Is Inholtra™ easy to digest?
Yes. Inholtra™ has developed a soft-gel capsule called Quicksorb especially for people with sensitive digestive systems. Quicksorb capsules are designed to be absorbed into your system more quickly and efficiently.
How should Inholtra™ be taken?
Recommended dosages of Inholtra™ are based on body weight. Most people experience positive results within six to eight weeks. Once you begin to enjoy the benefits of Inholtra™, your dosage can be reduced to maintenance level.
What about the quality of Inholtra™?
Inholtra™ contains only the highest quality all-natural ingredients, each tested for quality, potency, and uniformity. Doctors currently studying Inholtra's formula include:
· T.C. Theoharides, Ph.D., M.D. at Boston's Tufts University School of Medicine where he has consulted with more than 500 arthritis patients.
· Henk Oswald, M.D. in three pain clinics in Holland, Germany, and Italy.
· Vincent Villar, Ph.D., M.D. at the University of Valencia in Spain (Villar has recommended Inholtra™ to world-famous José Maria Olazábal (1999 Masters Golf Tournament winner).
· Gary Kitchell, sports trainer for numerous tennis champions, such as Ivan Lendl.
· Dr. Arnold Fox, co-author of The Arthritis Cure (who recommends "and is personally using" Inholtra™).”
Ingredients
Two Gels (recommended average daily dose) contain:
· 21 Calories
· 2 grams Total Fat (3% DV)
· 2 mg Cholesterol (1% DV)
· 1 mg Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate) (2% DV)
· 7 IU Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) (22% DV)
· 60 mg Manganese (Manganese aspartate) (33% DV)
· 465 mg Omega-3 Fatty Acid
· 250 mg D-Glucosamine Sulfate
· 335 mg N-acetyl D-Glucosamine
· 200 mg Omega-6 Fatty Acid
· 135 mg Chondroitin Sulfate
The Daily Value (DV) is Based upon a 2000-calorie diet.
You Want Me to Do What With That?
The enormous size of the Glucosamine and Chondroitin combination supplement manufactured under the Inholtra name seems to be the only drawback. My inventive mother resolved the possible problem with swallowing the large capsules by sharing this simple trick:
1.) Fill a medium drinking glass with approximately eight ounces of water.
2.) Place the capsules on the center of the tongue. (Any tongue will do.)
3.) Drink the water through a straw while looking up at the ceiling.
The pills will miraculously bypass any gag reflex. If all else fails, down the supplements with applesauce or peanut butter, this actually works well with any oral medication.
A Nod and other Niceties
Please allow me a tiny bit of latitude while I interject a note of thanks to Nirav Tolia, the man behind Epinions’ success. I know Nirav will forgive my quoting (or possibly misquoting) a statement he made several months ago during one of our organized chat sessions:
"The most helpful product review is one that provides scads of useful product info calculated to help the consumer make better buying decisions.”
Setting up specific guidelines makes the member-writer’s job so much easier. While my reviews and my style tend to fall under the wordy category; please know that I, along with so many other concerned members of Epinions, strive to provide all the details necessary to give the potential consumer a basis with which to make a truly informed purchasing decision. I prefer to offer the reader a one-stop source for all the details. Please bear with me and my tendencies toward information overkill; I feel if it is worth doing, it is worth doing well.
One of our most esteemed members, Mrsfitts, taught me early in my Epinions career the importance of including all aspects of the product or services’ function, footprint and frequency – the three “F’s” so to speak. No less imperative is the inclusion of where to find the “on/off” button since without that directive, in many cases we simply end up covering the particulars of a latent doorstop. So, thanks to the mentoring of Mrsfitts and the directives of Nirav Tolia, I hope I rendered all the details necessary for you, the consumer, to arrive at a conclusion regarding the featured booklet, ”Frequently Asked Questions All about Glucosamine & Chondroitin” and the best of the Glucosamine and Chondroitin formulas, Inholtra™.
Is That Your Final Answer?
Yes, Regis, lord of the soon to be canceled series Millionaire, that just about covers it. For those who stood the test of time by reading every single syllable, here is a little bonus for you:
Those insufferable infomercials, on the most part, proffer few products of merit. The only exception I am willing to acknowledge is the expanded commercial under the “Pain Free” guise touting the benefits of Inholtra™, which obviously works well on preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. So, if you are one of the minions suffering with pain-induced insomnia some post-midnight hour, take a chance, pick up the phone and get a little relief in the mail in seven to ten business days. For those lucky folks with a charmed life and a healthy body, thanks for taking the time to read two thousand eight hundred forty-one words, eighty-four paragraphs and one hundred thirty-nine sentences created with the consumer in mind. You deserve a medal!
© Pogomom – February 11, 2002
Recommended:
Yes
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Web/puter person who, disguised as mild-mannered Pogomom, offers unsolicited opinions to all she encounters.
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