Dr. Kam Shojania
Head, Division of Rheumatology, Vancouver General Hospital
Sadiq Jiwa
Professional golfer
When lifestyle measures are not enough, this natural health product may provide help for Canadians living with arthritis.
As the famous phrase notes, “…nothing is certain except death and taxes” …and joint pain. Soreness is a part of everyday life, a near guarantee for many Canadians. It’s become one of life’s rare daily realities. What we may find began as muscle tenderness from overuse soon lingered.
One in every five Canadians experiences a form of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis. Joint complaints are the most cited reason for visiting the doctor. For hospitals, people experiencing inflammatory arthritis, like gout, represent most outpatients. Pain is now an epidemic of sorts, but new treatments are offering Canadians a glimmer of hope when it comes to long-lasting relief.
“Arthritis poses a huge cost to us as individuals and families, but it also affects us as a society,” says Dr. Kamran Shojania, Chief of Rheumatology at Vancouver General Hospital. “Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases — like rheumatoid arthritis — often start with milder, non-specific symptoms. There are excellent new treatments for these conditions, but early detection is key. If caught early, we can often put them into remission.”
The key to maintaining joint health is making healthy lifestyle choices. Staying active each day, integrating exercises that include cardio and muscle strengthening, and maintaining a healthy weight all play an important role in preventing pain. However, once aches have begun, many of us turn to over-the-counter assistance, including anti-inflammatory medications or even prescription-based treatment.
However, “there are no medications or supplements that have been shown to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis,” says Dr. Shojania. “When pain is an issue, exercise and weight management continue to be the most important ways to reduce pain and improve function.”
New discoveries provide a dose of optimism, and one such discovery has life-changing results for those suffering from chronic pain. Found on the slopes of the Sierra Mountains in the United States, a unique mineral deposit has been shown to provide incredible benefits for those suffering joint discomfort. The mineral deposit — known by the trade name SierraSil — has unique healing properties that effectively support joint health and calm inflammation, earning it two U.S. patents.
Most natural health products, like glucosamine and collagen, include ingredients that build human cartilage and joint structure, supplementing the body’s natural regenerative process. SierraSil works by calming the underlying inflammation, reducing cartilage breakdown, and down-regulating enzymes that lead to inflammation, both of which are factors causing arthritis symptoms.
As an all-natural alternative to pharmaceutical pain relievers, SierraSil is backed by clinical trials and is reliably effective in treating sore, stiff joints. Recommended for adults — from athletes seeking reduced delayed-onset soreness to those looking to reduce overall discomfort — SierraSil users report noticeable improvements in joint pain and flexibility within two weeks.
Diagnosed with Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) at age six, professional golfer Sadiq Jiwa’s childhood involved regular visits to the hospital, testing various treatments to help manage his arthritis. “It wasn’t until I was older that I decided to take a more proactive approach to my arthritis – looking into lifestyle changes: diet, nutrition, and natural supplements.” One such natural supplement was SierraSil. “I saw quantitative and qualitative benefits to my day-to-day health. It [SierraSil] noticeably helped improve the overall way I was feeling.”
Ongoing research and exciting discoveries are providing Canadians with hope, realizing the chance to live each day pain-free isn’t just within reach but a reality. “No one solution is best for everyone. Consider with your physician what works best for you,” says Dr. Shojania. “And keep active!”
