The Office of Complementary Medicines (OCM) has announced that an additional condition of listing will be imposed on any medicines containing Ginkgo biloba leaf extract as an active ingredient.

Manufacturers will be given a three month transitional period, whereby any batches of existing medicines manufactured on or after 18 January 2010 are required to comply. Medicines listed after 19 October 2009 will be subject to this condition from the date of listing

The TGA has recently conducted testing on twenty-two (22) batches of medicines, covering twenty (20) products, and a number of associated Ginkgo extract raw materials. The testing focused on determining the quality of the Ginkgo extract used in the formulation of the medicines.

As the body ages, the cartilage supporting and cushioning all the joints tends to wear down. Glucosamine may help to postpone this process by giving cartilage a boost, protecting and strengthening it overall. The complications of osteoarthritis and similar, largely age-related, disorders are therefore also less likely to occur.

What is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a sugar produced in the body, it is present in most human tissues and is highly concentrated in the cartilage and other connective tissues. These sugars absorb water and provide lubrication and shock absorption for the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joints. When people age or get arthritis, glucosamine and other sugars decline in concentration and lose some of their ability to absorb water. Glucosamine products provide this essential sugar, which has shown in double blind placebo trials to be taken up in the cartilage to ease the pain from arthritis as effectively as ibuprofen. Tests have shown that when taken as a dietary supplement , glucosamine helps to relieve the pain, stiffness, and swelling of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc. Sufferers also report improvement with other types of joint injuries.

Some 70 countries around the world sanction glucosamine as a treatment for individuals with mild to moderately severe osteoarthritis. You have to bear in mind that glucosamine is only found in small amounts in food and there is no readily available source of glucosamine, although the shells of crabs, shrimp and oysters contain it but these shells are not typically consumed.

Supplement forms have proved effective for treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc and several studies suggest that glucosamine may be as effective in easing arthritic pain and inflammation and not nearly as irritating to the stomach as the anti-inflammatory drugs typically recommended.

Glucosamine appears to protect and strengthen the cartilage around joints, particularly in the knees, hips, spine, and hands. In so doing, it may help to prevent further joint damage. And while it can do little to actually restore cartilage that has completely worn away, or reverse joint damage that has already occurred, glucosamine appears to slow the development of mild to moderately severe osteoarthritis. Some traditional anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed for arthritis, in contrast, actually impair the body’s cartilage-building capacity. In a 2001 study published in the esteemed medical journal The Lancet, Belgian investigators reported that glucosamine actually slowed the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Over the course of three years, those on glucosamine showed no further joint narrowing in the knees. The glucosamine appeared to protect the shock-absorbing cartilage that cushions the bones. In contrast, the condition of the patients taking the placebo steadily worsened.

Because it helps to reinforce the cartilage around joints, glucosamine may hasten the healing of acute joint injuries, such as sprained ankles or fingers. The same is true of muscle injuries such as strains. In strengthening joints, glucosamine may also help to prevent future injury.

By helping to reinforce cartilage, glucosamine is believed to strengthen the tissue supporting the spinal disks that line the back. Back pain resulting from either muscle strain or arthritis may therefore improve with glucosamine. The supplement may also speed up the healing of strained back muscles in this way. Pain in the upper spine and neck may similarly respond to glucosamine.

Glucosamine has been studied for over 40 years. The first published study came from Germany back in 1969, with additional studies coming from Europe and Asia in the 1980’s. The objectives of the studies were to compare glucosamine to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (better known as NSAIDS), the typical medications used to relieve symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA). There is good evidence that glucosamine reduces the symptoms of OA and possibly slows the long-term progression of the disease. In addition it is well tolerated with minimal adverse effects or drug interactions.

Picture 1 – Normal joint:
Cartilage is supple and elastic, protecting the bones.

Picture 2 – Advanced arthritis:
Cartilage is brittle and eaten away, causing bones to become deformed.

Not all foods were created equal – some are so packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and other beneficial substances that they’ve been deemed “superfoods”.

Superfoods have incredible health benefits, packing a powerful nutritional punch that helps protect against cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, protect the organs from toxins and improve digestive health. Some nutritionists even say superfoods can help you live longer.

Here are 10 superfoods that can supercharge your diet, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, legumes, grains and fish.

Acai: This exotic berry from the Amazon has been the subject of intense hype, but there’s a good reason why it’s so trendy. Named by famed nutritionist Nicholas Perricone as his number one superfood and one of the most powerful foods in the world, acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) contains a remarkable concentration of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. It’s considered one of nature’s best offerings to combat premature aging thanks to its high monounsaturated oleic acid content. Oleic acid helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate cell membranes, making them more supple.

Yogurt: It’s alive! Yogurt contains active cultures known as “friendly bacteria” that restore healthy balance in the digestive system. Among the most well-known cultures is Lactobacillus acidophilus, which passes through the stomach and populates the intestines, helping the body fight off infection. One cup contains 50 per cent more calcium than the same size serving of milk, and it’s also full of potassium, riboflavin, magnesium and phosphate.

Broccoli: This cruciferous vegetable is loaded with vitamin C, folic acid and carotenoids, which are packed with vitamin A and can protect your cells from the damage of free radicals, enhance immune system function and improve reproductive health. Just one serving (1 medium stalk) provides 175 per cent of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, which helps build strong bones and plays an important role in blood clotting. Just half a cup of broccoli per day is also said to help prevent a number of cancers, particularly cancers of the lung, colon, rectum and stomach.

Lentils: Among the most nutritious legumes, lentils are a great source of cholesterol-lowering fibre and lean protein. They contain lots of iron and B vitamins and are very filling, yet low in calories. Folate and magnesium also contribute to heart heath and improve the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

Sweet potatoes: They’ll satisfy your craving for starches but are far healthier than their white, nutritionally lacking cousins. Carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium and fibre are just a few of the benefits of eating this savoury-sweet veggie, which is ranked among the highest vegetables on the nutrition scale. Sweet potatoes can help stabilise blood sugar, making them a great choice for diabetics, and are relatively low in calories.

Blueberries: Hidden within the juicy, deep blue-purple flesh of this tasty fruit is cancer-fighting ellagic acid, an antioxidant that has been proven in laboratory research to slow the growth of some cancerous tumours. Blueberry extracts have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and help prevent infectious bacteria from clinging to the walls of the gut, bladder and urethra.

Wild salmon: Packed with omega-3 fats, wild salmon can help reduce the risk of sudden-death heart attacks and contains lots of vitamin D and selenium for healthy hair, skin, nails and bones. Wild salmon can be eaten with little fear of mercury or excess contaminants and is more nutritionally rich than farmed salmon. Wild salmon also has a smaller environmental impact. Consume two to four four-ounce servings a week for optimal benefits.

Goji berries: They’ve been called the most nutritionally dense food on Earth, and they taste something like salty raisins. Lycium barbarum, commonly known as goji berries, contain more vitamin C than oranges, more beta carotene than carrots and more iron than steak. The dried Himalayan fruit is also a great source of B vitamins and antioxidants and contains 15 amino acids. Goji has been used medicinally in China for centuries to improve blood circulation, strengthen the limbs, improve eyesight, protect the liver, increase libido and boost immune function.

Kale: A dark, leafy green in the same vegetable family as broccoli and brussels sprouts, kale contains high amounts of beta carotene, iron and folate. It’s also a low-calorie, low-carb source of protein that’s packed with fibre, which improves digestive health and helps you feel full. A small cupful of cooked kale provides more than half the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.

Barley: This low-glycemic grain is high in both soluble and insoluble fibre, which help the body metabolise fats and promote a healthy digestive tract, respectively. Eating hulled barley on a regular basis is said to lower blood cholesterol levels, protect against cancer and keep blood-sugar levels stable. Barley is rich in niacin, vitamin E, lignans and phytochemicals that function as antioxidants.