(26-10-2012, 11:06 PM)AbiDrew85 Wrote: (26-10-2012, 02:23 AM)flamesabers Wrote: I wasn't aware pm could have a positive effect on arthritis.
It makes a sort of sense though when you think about it. Arthritis is a skeletal disorder, and a change in the testosterone/estrogen balance could quite definitely effect it.
Arthritis is more correctly thought of as the normal, natural repair process of articular cartilage, gone awry. It is not a problem of excess wear and tear, and in fact joint movement, especially weight bearing exercise promotes health of articular cartilage.
(26-10-2012, 11:06 PM)AbiDrew85 Wrote: Especially since arthritis tends to be caused by too much calcification,
This statement is false. Arthritis is NOT caused by too much calcification. Periarticular exostoses (bone spurs) around a joint are NOT the result of excess calcification. Rather, they are the result of abnormal stimulation of bone which causes excess bone growth (google Wolff's Law), very likely from muscle and connective tissue imbalances that affect the joint.
Bone spurs are only one of the three hallmarks of osteoarthritis visible on plain-film x-rays and not even the most important finding. The other two are decreased joint space and subchondral cysts. Again, neither of these signs is caused by 'too much calcification.'
(26-10-2012, 11:06 PM)AbiDrew85 Wrote: and estrogens tend to increase the rate of bone breakdown and re-absorption.
Estrogens DO affect bone health, but not in that way. Post-menopausal women used to be advised to start estrogen-based HRT to PRESERVE bone density. If estrogens promoted the breakdown and reabsorption of bone, then post-menopausal women would NOT be at higher risk for osteoporosis, which, in fact, they are. Estrogen generally helps to maintain bone density, not decrease it. Neither decreased nor increased bone density is a factor in the development of arthritis, nor is a diet high in calcium. Please do the research if you don't believe me.
All of this information is just a click or two away. Simply do a google search on "estrogen and bone mineral density" and/or "decreased bone density and osteoarthritis".
Hope this helps.