Online Host:  Dr. Jason Theodosakis has entered the room.

 
Dearest:   *IF* there's possibly a household anywhere in the country without
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in its medicine or vitamin cabinet, you 
can rest assured the inhabitants know WHAT they are and WHO 

DR. JASON THEODOSAKIS 

is, too :) Dr. Theo, as he has come to be known, lectures and is also involved in 
research projects related to arthritis and preventive medicine. A board-certified 
Preventive Medicine specialist, Dr. Theo is also fellowship-trained in Sports 
Medicine. He divides his time between practicing clinical prevention medicine/sports 
med,, and as the Director of the Preventive Medicine Residency Training Program at 
the University of Arizona College of Medicine (which trains physicians to become 
specialists in prevention).

The author of the groundbreaking NY Times #1 bestseller.....The Arthritis Cure
and the new, "Maximizing The Arthritis Cure,"
 
Dr. Theo has created the foundation for what seems to be becoming 
the standard treatment for arthritis.

Dr. Theo's appeared on numerous national TV and radio talk shows,
and been applauded by the most prestigious publications in the
world.  Dr. Theo also lectures on preventive medicine topics
such as obesity, sleep, and aging.

Dearest:   Welcome Dr. Theo! As a user of Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Sulfate, I want to personally thank you :)  What sort of feedback have you 
received from arthritic sufferers who have tried Glucosamine and Chondroitin 
Sulfate?

	
Dr. Jason Theodosakis:    About 90% get some type of relief, if they are truly taking the 
supplements.


Dearest: 	Thank you, Dr. Theo. Is it okay if we call you Dr. Theo?  :)


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Yes 


Redfencer:	What can it do for menopausal problems?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	There is no relationship I know of between the treatment and 
menopause, unless there are associated joint symptoms to be treated.


FIDUCIA124:	What is the recommended dosage and how often should 
it be taken? How long before results can be expected? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	The dose depends on weight, a table is in the books. 1-6 weeks 
is the average time to notice effects. Remember, the treatment is 9 steps! 


Norlee: 	I've seen a gelatin product sold as glucosamine for this, is it the 
same? Will it work?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	If you're referring to Arthred G, it doesn't seem to work on 
anyone! 


Norlee: 	Knox 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis:    Knox has a hydrolyzed collagen product- not the same as 
Glucosamine Sulfate or Chondroitin Sulfate.


Dearest: 	Dr. Theo, is Glucosamine and Chondroitin safe for children?  


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	We don't know since there hasn't been a single published study.


Dearest: 	Well, off the books, what are your thoughts on it?  Thanks.
I mean off the record... am too close to tax time ( g )


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	In kids with RA, I'd use it. OA is exceedingly rare in kids.


WTCRANE1:	Do you have any experience with the hyaluronate products?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Yes, I use Hyalgan and have had it injected in my own knee.  
My new book and my website explain HA's in detail.  www.drtheo.com 


RSEquines:	Can the arthritis (gluc/chond) cure help thorasic outlet 
syndrome?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	TOS has multiple causes, usually anatomic. Unlikely to help :( 


FIDUCIA124:	The gelatin product is Knox NutraJoint.  I used it for two 
months and all I got was long nails...no relief. 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	There is very little evidence that it helps in OA. Glu/Chon is first 
choice.


Dearest: 	Dr. Theo, in the meantime, let me ask you, there are SO many 
brands on the market today of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate.  How 
do we know which are pure?  Safe?  



Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	This was always a big concern.  About 30% (est.) of the 100 
brands on the market appear to be frauds.  I test a few to make sure they are 
good.  I recommend and take only: 	

Osteo-Bi-Flex (Sundown Vitamins)
					                        
GlucoPro 900 (Thompson)
					                        
Cosamin DS (Nutramax Labs)

Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Some of the others have illegally associated my name or book 
with their product.  Only in America!


RSEquines:	Can chon/etc. help an adult's clavicle that's unhealed for 
two years? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Helps little with bone, works mostly on cartilage. Other minerals,
discussed in the new book, Maximizing the Arthritis Cure, may help with 
bone.


Buchermj:	Doctor said I have arthritis in right shoulder but never took 
x-rays or anything, just felt it. Can you tell its arthritis just by feeling? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	A whole diagnostic work-up is usually needed.  I discuss details 
of history, exam, labs and x-rays.  Maximizing the Arthritis Cure chapter 3.  
Sometimes, diagnosis is obvious, but secondary causes of OA must be 
ruled-out.


Dearest: 	Dr. Theo, in the case of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate 
doses, does "more is better" hold true?  


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	No, the MINIMUM effective dose is the key. Anything that 
has an effect on the body probably will have some side effects, especially
in high doses.


Dearest: 	Have you heard of it working on an "as needed" basis
because it works that way for me. 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Yes, once people have done the initial 2 months, PRN or as 
needed is fine.


APRSN2:	What is the correct dosage to take?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Dose depends on weight.  Remember, the treatment is 9 steps, 
not just pills!  If you just take the pills, you may be doing more harm than 
good. 


Dearest: 	Dr. Theo, is it too much to briefly go through the 9 steps now?  
I think too many people are "just taking the pills"  


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	I can go through them briefly


Dearest: 	Thanks :)


Dr. Jason Theodosakis:   	
1. Have a thorough consultation with a physician.
2. Take glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates to repair damaged 
joints.
3. Improve your biomechanics to counteract stress to your joints.
4. Exercise regularly. (But the right kinds!)
5. Eat a healthful, joint-preserving diet.
6. Maintain your ideal body weight.  
7. Fight depression.
8. Use traditional medicine as necessary.
9. Maintain a positive attitude.


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Obviously, these are categories.  To learn exactly what to do,
get "Maximizing the Arthritis Cure."  It takes 260 pages to explain it all!


Dearest: 	Thank you! What exactly do you mean by "improve your 
'biomechanics' to counteract stress to the joints?" 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	There are many ways to improve your everyday movements to 
allow your body to dissipate joint forces evenly.  We think arthritis is caused 
in some, by abnormal joint forces.  Example - improper lifting, walking, use 
of the phone, etc. 


Dearest: 	Wonderful answers, Dr. Theo :)  


RCHCTH:	My daughter heard that 6 mos course of Erythomycin + some 
other medicine can cure arthritis. Please comment. 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	The tetracyclines have anti-inflammatory properties.  Not the 
anti-biotic component of the molecule, but a different part.  The drug 
companies are rushing to capitalize on this finding. 


WTCRANE1:	Hi Dr Theo. You mention tai chi in one of your books. I have 
heard that it may be hard on the knees. What is your opinion, and what do 
you think of chi gung exercises for arthritis?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	There are good and bad movements.  In general, it's great for 
OA  (osteoarthritis)

Dearest: 	Dr. Theo, there's such a high degree of stress in our lives... does 
stress cause or aggravate arthritis?  


Dr. Jason Theodosakis:    Stress lowers our pain threshold and affects most diseases, 
including OA


JDuncan395:	Would GS and CS help to "prevent" arthritis from setting up 
in area of cervical spinal fusion?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	I believe I am the first actually studying prevention of OA with 
the supplements. Just don't know yet!


Joan5000:  I HURT and have started glucosamine only, aspirin, etc.  Do I 
need to add chondroitin, and is too much aspirin, bad?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Aspirin is an NSAID known to degrade cartilage. CHondroitin
IS important to add. 


Joan5000: 	Thank you Dr. Theo.


Dearest: 	AND it's important to read the books, The Arthritis Cure and 
Maximizing The Arthritis Cure, in order to understand the proper way to 
effect good results :) You can buy Dr. Theo's books at www.amazon.com or 
on his  Web site


APRSN2:	Will your 9 steps help with arthritis in the neck? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Yes, they usually do help with the neck! 


Dearest: 	Arthritis is quite a familial condition, isn't it, Dr. Theo? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	There are genetic defects that explain about 30% of the cases. Mom 
to daughter transmission of hand and finger arthritis seems to be the highest.  
So pick your parents well.  I needed about 50 pages to explain that ? 


MIMISUSAN:	What is a healthful, joint preserving diet??  (please say 
chocolate) 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Weight Control, wide variety of fruits and veggies, avoiding food 
allergy-causing foods, certain supplements and methods of processing foods.  

 
Dearest: 	 I'm a tomato addict (not aspic), Dr. Theo, but heard that 
tomatoes aren't good for arthritis. Is that so? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	General statements cannot be made.  A higher % of the population
suffers from food allergies when nightshade veggies are eaten, but most 
people do not have a problem with them.


PianoMary:	I'm allergic to several NSAIDS.  Will the new COX-II inhibitors 
be less likely to cause a reaction? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	COX-II inhibitors are likely to have less side effects, they are 
discussed in Maximizing the Arthritis Cure. They are not disease-modifying. 
I consider them second-line.


Dearest: 	Can we tell everyone what NSAIDS and COX-11 inhibitors are? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil, motrin, alleve, aspirin are 
NSAIDs.  COX-II are (yet to be approved) newer versions with less potential 
for side-effects. 


Dearest: 	Thank you, Dr. Theo.


MARFGR:	My husband is on plaquenil.  Are there any drugs, prescription 
or non prescription, that he should avoid?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	The package insert, and the pharmacist will have the list. Yes 
there are some to avoid. I like gold for RA, but the new anti-inflammatory 
enzyme mixtures detailed in Maximizing... are better.  See 
 my Web site for a place to get the enzymes.  They have been studied 
head-to head.  Gold can cause kidney and blood problems.   
RA is rheumatoid arthritis, sorry. 


Dearest: 	OA = osteoarthritis  -- RA= rheumatoid arthritis


DawnDidIt:	Sorry to arrive late: Would you recap initial Glucosamine dosage
please? (read 9 points)


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Dose depends on weight.  I don't give out chart because people 
won't read the book and follow the other important steps. 


PPelleg288:	Re the hip:  When do you recommend replacement? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Replacement when conservative measures fail. Need 30 min 
appt to review data before my patient and I would make that decision! 


THRV Coll:	Can you explain allergy causing foods? 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Food allergies do not cause runny nose or itchy eyes.  They do 
lead, in some, to worsening of many conditions, especially arthritis.  You can get 
a blood test to check to see what you are allergic to.  The test is called IGG4 
food antibody testing. 


J6951:		IF your grandmother had arthritis will you get it?       


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Not necessarily. It tends to run in families, but not all members 
are affected.


Joan5000:	How do you feel about Relafen for arthritis?


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Sorry, Relafen is an NSAID. Glucosamine and chondroitin are 
better used first. 


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Please do not try to e-mail questions to Dr. Jason Theodosakis. I will not be 
able  to respond.   Please go to my website in the future www.drtheo.com
Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Thank you! 


Dearest: 	Dr. Theo, thank you for the very stimulating conversation about 
arthritis, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.


Dr. Jason Theodosakis: 	Thank you for having me this evening!


Dearest: 	Anyone interested in writing to Dr. Theo can E-mail him at:
PTGUEST@AOL.COM. Dr. Theo's books, .The Arthritis Cure and the new, 
"Maximizing The Arthritis Cure , at www.amazon.com, and
visit  Dr. Theo's Web site  for more information.



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