Question
Many thanks for your prompt and concise reply. I was told over lunch yesterday that a glass of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and honey (to taste) is good in keeping uric acid deposits down. A friend of mine who apparently has a frozen shoulder swears by it. He takes it every morning and his shoulder is now so flexible he can now reach to his back and tuck his shirt in. Have you heard about this? Is it any good for osteo-arthritis or are they totally different problems?

BTW, the information I got about liquid glucosamine came from this website: http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org/glucosamine/glucosamine-product-guide.html

Many thanks again, boonlay.

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Followup To
Question -
I have initial stages of osteo-arthritis. My doctor recommended glucosamine but she doesn't seem to know much beyond that. There are several brands in the market. Can you advise me on what to look out for? Some comes with supplements and some without. Which are better? What supplements, if any, should I be looking out for? I read an article saying that the liquid form is better, but we don't seem to have that in the market here in Singapore.

Many thanks, boonlay.
Answer -
Boon Lay,

I have seen no research that suggests that liquid is better than capsules. Glucosamine is not a liquid and I have no confidence that mixing it in a liquid will make it work any better.

Cartilage is made up primarily of Glucosamine and chondrointin. Both have been shown in many studies to help the majority of people who use them to treat osteoarthritis.

My preference is a combination of the two. The supplement I recommend her in the United States is a 500 mg Glucosamine and 400 mg of Chondrointin.

The main thing to look for is a quality manufacturing company so that you know you are getting what you pay for. High price does not mean better quality. If there is a brand of vitamin / supplements that you already use and trust see if they have a Glucosamine product.

I wish you good health,

Rusty
http://arthritis-symptom.com

Answer
Boonlay,

I have never heard of this. I know that cherries have an enzyme that is similar to the one in your body that removes purines. Purines are converted in your body to uric acid. Osteoarthritis is not a problem associated with uric acid but neither is a frozen shoulder.

For osteoarthritis I recommend omega 3 fatty acids. There are a number of tests that have shown omega 3 to reduce the inflammation of osteoarthritis.

I wish you well,

Rusty
arthritis-symptom.com