Get moving at the Arthritis Foundation’s

The 2009 Jingle Bell Run/Walk is a fun and festive way to kick off the holidays with family, friends and coworkers. There are several options. You can sign up to walk as an individual or start a team and organize your very own holiday-themed costumes. You can even raise funds online by creating a free personal website and emailing donors or collect donations and turn them in prior to the event. Every dollar raised brings us one step closer to a cure. Participants will tie jingle bells to their shoelaces, don holiday attire, and complete a 3 mile route.

Arthritis or chronic joint symptoms are more widespread than imagined, affecting 46 million Americans, or one out of five adults and approximately 300,000 children.

As the nation’s largest holiday run/walk event, the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis offers a three-mile fun run and a three-mile fun walk with activities for the entire family.

This year’s event will also provide a run for dogs and 1K children’s race.  There are nearly 120 Jingle Bell Run/Walks for Arthritis nationwide with more than 80,000 participants. In years past, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis has raised upwards of $3 million. To find an event near you check out the Arthritis Foundation website.

Eswar Krishnan, MD, assistant professor of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, has found that high uric acid levels are a link between Gout and Heart Failure.

Our friend, Timothy Spaulding, a Top Health Blogger for the Arthritis Community on Wellsphere and author of the Current Arthritis News and Research Blog explains in his recent article.

Spaulding explains that uric acid naturally occurs in the body as a byproduct of many different foods. High levels are best known as a cause of gout.

According to Dr. Krishnan, the “study shows that high levels of uric acid significantly increase your risk of developing heart failure later in life.”

The good news is that the test for measuring this is very cheap and easily available. In fact, a simple $2-blood test may allow doctors to determine whether a patient is at risk of developing heart failure sometime in their future.

Dr. Krishnan analyzed data obtained from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute participants of the Framingham Offspring cohort study. That study began in 1971 and the participants were followed for cardiovascular events for 25 years.

There were 4,989 participants in the Framingham Offspring study, and of those, 4,912 were eligible for Dr. Krishnan’s study. There were 196 cases of heart failure recorded.

After adjusting for a long list of variables including smoking, weight, alcohol use, diabetes, kidney problems and use of anti-hypertensive medications, Dr. Krishnan found the occurrence of heart failure was significantly higher among those with high uric acid levels.

So if you suffer from Gout make sure to talk to your doctor about your risk for heart problems. Also check out Flexcin the all-natural Joint Pain Supplement. The primary component of Flexcin is CM8™, which relieves joint pain at its source, reduces inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues. It has been helpful for many sufferers of arthritis, gout, bursitis, sports injuries and fibromyalgia.

This study appeared online in August in the journal circulation of Heart Failure. Check out Timothy Spaulding’s full article here and other interesting topics on his Current Arthritis News and Research Blog.

We all know that a healthy diet is important but what about it effecting Arthritis pain. The foods

Here are some foods to avoid which most people report lead to more pain when ingested:

· Nightshade vegetables: Tomatoes, white potatoes, peppers, belladonna, and eggplant

· Citrus fruits

· Dairy Products

· Phosphorous rich food: Red meat, red flesh fish, organ meat like kidney, liver, processed meat, and soft drinks.

· Corns, wheat, oats, rye, and barley

· Eggs

· Fried food, vegetable oil, margarine: Omega 6, present in vegetable oil, worsens inflammation.

· Alcohol

· Coffee

· Foods that are rich in oxalic acid or oxalates: Star fruit, black pepper, parsley, poppy seed, rhubarb stalks, amaranth, spinach, chard, beets, cocoa, chocolate, most nuts, most berries, and beans.

· Foods that easily get mold which can cause allergy: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, nuts, berries, cantaloupe and honeydew melon.

Not everyone reacts the same to the food groups above so it’s recommended that arthritis suffers monitor the type of foods that can aggravate the pain.

Here are some foods that are found to be friendly to arthritic conditions:

· Green, yellow, and orange vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, chard, collards, lettuce, spinach, string beans, summer or winter squash, sweet potatoes, tapioca, and taro.

· Anti-inflammatory foods: Ginger, garlic, turmeric and apples.

· Brown rice: This is recommended instead of corns, wheat, oats, rye, and barley

· Cooked or dried fruits: Cherries, cranberries, pears, prunes.

· Fish: Salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, as they are rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acid

· Nuts & Seeds: Walnuts, almonds, linseeds, pumpkin seeds which are unsalted

· Water: Drinking plenty of water is known to help.

It is advised to include arthritis friendly foods in your diet for four weeks without any trigger foods at all. After four weeks, you can easily identify foods that cause flare-ups by bringing back the food which you eliminated previously into your diet one at a time. Observe when the pain increases and note your dietary changes. It is not advised to reintroduce major triggers such as meats, dairy products, or eggs into your diet. They can also cause hormone imbalances that may lead to joint pain.

Many people who are changing their diets are also changing their choices for medication by choosing to go all-natural. Flexcin is helping thousands of people around the nation and even the world find relief in a safe and all-natural arthritis pain solution. The primary component of Flexcin™ is CM8™ (cetyl myristoleate). Of all the ingredients in Flexcin, CM8™ is the most powerful. CM8™ functions in three different ways. First, it acts as a highly effective lubricant in the joints, muscles and other tissues, allowing them to move smoothly. Decrease or loss of morning stiffness is commonly noted shortly after commencing treatment. Next, CM8™ functions as an anti-inflammatory. Relief from swollen joints is often seen after the 4th or 5th week of treatment. Third, it is also an immune system modulator, which can be effectual against autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and juvenile arthritis. CM8™ relieves joint pain at its source, reducing inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues. It also has been helpful for many sufferers of muscle tension and fibromyalgia. All of these characteristics make CM8™ the most important ingredient in Flexcin.

In addition, Flexcin is proudly manufactured in the United States in a state of the art facility under the strict guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Good Manufacturing Practices, or G.M.P. Before you buy any drug, medical food or dietary supplement, always ask whether it was manufactured under FDA GMP Standards.

Like many Flexcin customers, Jeff wanted to find an all-natural solution for his pain before trying prescription drugs. He didn’t want to deal with the side effects that can come hand-in-hand with many pharmaceuticals. He came across Flexcin with CM8 on the internet as he read blog after blog that compared it with other arthritis and joint pain supplements on the market. Jeff is a man who does his research. After a great deal of reading up on Flexcin and the main ingredients like CM8 and glucosamine, he decided to give it a shot. Jeff says he’ll never forget the day he started taking Flexcin, a day many people will remember what they were doing when they heard the news…the day Michael Jackson passed away, June 25th of this year.

Within weeks Jeff’s pain started to disappear. He says he first noticed a difference in his feet and angles, and soon the pain began to subside in his hands and wrists as well. His initial goal was to eliminate the four Ibuprofen he was taking each day from his diet. Today he’s down to only one and says his pain level has dropped to a 1 out of 10! Before Flexcin he was unable to do some of the things he likes most such as home remodeling and finishing work. Today, he’s back to enjoying his remodeling projects around the house and using his hands to complete intricate woodworking projects.

Jeff tells us that the supplements have not only improved his physical wellbeing but his mental wellbeing as well. Emotionally he is much happier and enjoying life again now that it doesn’t hurt to walk or use his hands.We congratulate Jeff and his team at J.W. Morton & Associates on their anniversary and thank him for sharing his story of success with us!

Do you suffer from chronic lower back pain? Yoga may be the perfect addition to your alternative remedy arsenal as you search for the best combination of supplements and therapy to help ease the pain. In a recent study founded by the National Institutes of Health, Yoga classes were found to help people with chronic lower back pain improve their mood and ability to function while easing their pain.

Chris Emery, Contributing Writer for MedPage Today explains the findings in a recent post. Here’s the breakdown of his article:

· The study authors reported that people who were assigned to take yoga for two months experienced a 29% reduction in functional disability and a 42% reduction in pain.

· Yoga was also associated with a 45.7% decrease in symptoms of depression over conventional therapy alone.

· Lower back pain is a major public health issue with studies suggesting that 70% to 85% of the population experience one or more episodes during their lifetimes.

· Directly-related medical costs exceed $34 billion per year.

As noted in the report “Complementary alternative medicine utilization has increased nearly 10% in recent years, with back pain as the most commonly reported reason for its use,” the authors noted. “One of the most common complementary alternative medicine activities is yoga, with participation reported at approximately 14.9 million in the U.S.”

See the full study on the Effectiveness and Efficacy of Iyengar Yoga Therapy on Chronic Low Back Pain here.

In addition to Yoga, many people in pain are turning to Flexcin. It is helping thousands of people around the nation and even the world find relief from chronic back pain in a safe and all-natural solution. The primary component of Flexcin™ is CM8™ (cetyl myristoleate). Of all the ingredients in Flexcin, CM8™ is the most powerful. CM8™ functions in three different ways. First, it acts as a highly effective lubricant in the joints, muscles and other tissues, allowing them to move smoothly. Decrease or loss of morning stiffness is commonly noted shortly after commencing treatment. Next, CM8™ functions as an anti-inflammatory. Relief from swollen joints is often seen after the 4th or 5th week of treatment. Third, it is also an immune system modulator, which can be effectual against autoimmune diseases, such as arthritic conditions. CM8™ relieves joint pain at its source, reducing inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues. It also has been helpful for many sufferers of muscle tension and fibromyalgia. All of these characteristics make CM8™ the most important ingredient in Flexcin.

Flexcin is proudly manufactured in the United States in a state of the art facility under the strict guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Good Manufacturing Practices, or G.M.P. Before you buy any drug, medical food or dietary supplement, always ask whether it was manufactured under FDA GMP Standards.

Do you suffer from Fibromyalgia? There can be several other conditions that are co-existent with the condition and one is irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

Our friend, Timothy Spaulding, a Top Health Blogger for the Arthritis Community on Wellsphere and author of the Current Arthritis News and Research Blog explains in his recent article about IBS and Fibromyalgia.

“IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that has no apparent cause. Symptoms include intestinal discomfort and pain along with “alterations” in bowel habits. This means constipation, diarrhea or switching between the two. IBS is reported to affect as many as 20% of the general population and is 2 to 3 times more prevalent in women than men.”

Diagnosis of IBS generally is made after eliminating all other possible causes of the digestive issues.

Current studies indicate that as many as 77% of patients with fibromyalgia also have IBS. In fact, there are four conditions that have a higher than expected rate of co-occurrence with IBS that have little relationship to the digestive system:

· Fibromyalgia

· Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

· Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD)

· Chronic Pelvic Pain

Other studies have shown that patients with both fibromyalgia and IBS experience symptoms that are 38% more severe than patients with only one of the conditions. Studies have also shown that people with both conditions tend to have a worse quality of life than those with only one.”

In many cases, Flexcin can help alleviate the pain associated with fibromyalgia. The primary component of Flexcin™ is CM8™ (cetyl myristoleate). Of all the ingredients in Flexcin, CM8™ is the most powerful. CM8™ functions in three different ways. First, it acts as a highly effective lubricant in the joints, muscles and other tissues, allowing them to move smoothly. Decrease or loss of morning stiffness is commonly noted shortly after commencing treatment. Next, CM8™ functions as an anti-inflammatory. Relief from swollen joints is often seen after the 4th or 5th week of treatment. Third, it is also an immune system modulator, which can be effectual against autoimmune diseases, such as arthritic conditions. CM8™ relieves joint pain at its source, reducing inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues.

To read about the common characteristics between fibromyalgia and IBS, check out Timothy Spaulding’s full article here and other interesting topics on his Current Arthritis News and Research Blog.

Check out the video of Judy’s story.

If you can’t view the video above, click here:

Flexcin customer on News 21 in Youngstown, Ohio

According to the Arthritis Foundation nearly 46 million Americans suffer from painful arthritis. Are you one of them? It is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans over the age of 15.

If you are one of the 46 million people battling arthritis you know that it limits everyday activities that others take for granted such as walking, dressing and bathing. Women are affected more greatly than men, but even children are at risk. Of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis 24.3 million are women, 17.1 million are men and nearly 300,000 are children.

Arthritis sufferers will tell you that the condition can come in many different shapes and forms affecting each individual differently. Arthritis causes pain, loss of movement and sometimes swelling. Here are some types of arthritis as described by the Arthritis Foundation:

• Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone. It is the most prevalent form of arthritis.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of the body’s immune system activity. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women.

• Gout: It is usually the result of a defect in body chemistry. This painful condition most often attacks small joints, especially the big toe. Fortunately, gout almost always can be completely controlled with medication and changes in diet.

• Ankylosing spondylitis: A type of arthritis that affects the spine. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow together.

• Juvenile arthritis: A general term for all types of arthritis that occur in children. Children may develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or childhood forms of lupus, ankylosing spondylitis or other types of arthritis.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus): A serious disorder that can inflame and damage joints and other connective tissues throughout the body.

• Scleroderma: A disease of the body’s connective tissue that causes a thickening and hardening of the skin.

• Fibromyalgia: A condition in which widespread pain affects the muscles and attachments to the bone. It affects mostly women.

Half of the Americans with arthritis don’t think anything can be done to help them. But Flexcin is helping thousands of people around the nation and even the world find relief in a safe and all-natural solution. The primary component of Flexcin™ is CM8™ (cetyl myristoleate). Of all the ingredients in Flexcin, CM8™ is the most powerful. CM8™ functions in three different ways. First, it acts as a highly effective lubricant in the joints, muscles and other tissues, allowing them to move smoothly. Decrease or loss of morning stiffness is commonly noted shortly after commencing treatment. Next, CM8™ functions as an anti-inflammatory. Relief from swollen joints is often seen after the 4th or 5th week of treatment. Third, it is also an immune system modulator, which can be effectual against autoimmune diseases, such as arthritic conditions. CM8™ relieves joint pain at its source, reducing inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues. It also has been helpful for many sufferers of muscle tension and fibromyalgia. All of these characteristics make CM8™ the most important ingredient in Flexcin.

In addition, Flexcin is proudly manufactured in the United States in a state of the art facility under the strict guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Good Manufacturing Practices, or G.M.P. Before you buy any drug, medical food or dietary supplement, always ask whether it was manufactured under FDA GMP Standards.

Parts of this article were taken from the Arthritis Foundation’s website at www.arthritis.org.

Flexcin is proudly manufactured in the United States in a state of the art facility  under  the  strict  guidelines  of  the
U.S.  Food and Drug Administration’s Good Manufacturing Practices, or G.M.P.

• Buy 2 Get 1 Free Flexcin - saves you $39.95
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Take advantage of this offer now because it will only last for one week, through Wednesday, September 9th.

Come along on a culinary journey around the world with Melinda Winner in her second cookbook, A Complete Illustrated Guide to Cooking with Arthritis, which will bring the millions of physically challenged individuals back into the kitchen pain free and fearless. As a physically challenged individual herself, Melinda shares techniques for creating mouthwatering recipes for everything from appetizers to desserts, as well as delicious rubs, sauces, and jellies.

A Complete Illustrated Guide to Cooking with Arthritis is packed full of delectable, original recipes sure to delight any palate and is a must-have for any cookbook collection.  Each easy-to-read recipe is written for use by anyone, physically challenged or not, and includes an informative section of kitchen terms, culinary resources, and basic tips to help make everyday life simpler.

“If you have arthritis and love to cook, you must have this book!  Even if you don’t have arthritis, you will love the great mix of traditional and modern recipes.”     - Gayle Long Ward, Wilmington, NC

Melinda Winner has had a passion for cooking since childhood.  She has five forms of arthritis and a birth injury that left her right arm with very limited use, but Melinda still attended culinary school and now enjoys preparing food of all types from simple Southern to fine cuisine.  Melinda has won several national recipe contests, cooked off on a major television network, and published her first cookbook, Yankee Cooking with Southern Charm, in July 2008.  In her spare time, Melinda enjoys horseback riding, swimming, traveling, and hiking.  She has three grown children and five grandchildren. Melinda enjoys life to its fullest each and every day!

Endorsments for A COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO COOKING WITH ARTHRITIS: