the most mercury; these fish may feast for years on smaller fish before becoming fillets themselves. Swordfish, which may be among largest sea creatures regularly consumed by humans, may accumulate several million times amount of mercury found in surrounding water, according to EPA.' Some healthy hints from Dr. Hightower:

* Eat more salmon - fish highest in omega-3-like salmon and

sardines, contain very low levels of mercury.

* Limit fish if you are pregnant [or trying]. Eat no more than 12-ounces

a week, and avoid swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish.

* Go for variety - eat different kinds of fish.

* Think small - little fish tend to be lower in mercury. Eating smaller

portions also helps.

* Don't be afraid - occasionally bingeing on sushi or eating

swordfish all week on vacation won't hurt you.

Source: ELLE Web site: http://elle.com/ Mar 14, 2003 09:23 ET

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Margot B mailto:margotb@authorsden.com Web site: http://margotb.tk

Margot B is the author of a book and 100s of articles, specializing in health and the environment....and is a Web site designer. Samples: http://margotb.tk http://nuchatlaht.tk http://margotbworldnews.tk http://websitebldg.tripod.com/

Glucosamine is a combination of sugar and amine. It’s found normally in cartilage and plays an important role in cartilage health and resiliency. As you naturally age, you lose some Glucosamine and that leads to eventual thinning of cartilage around joints. Osteoarthritis defined as deterioration of cartilage in joints. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are found naturally in your body. Chondroitin Sulfate helps draw water into cartilage (that Glucosamine is repairing) making it more elastic.

Glucosamine is derived from shells of crabs and shrimp. Most studies show that taking approximately 500mg three times a day for a total of 1500mg is effective in improving joint health. Those who have damaged their joints to point of little to no cartilage, or who have had cartilage surgically removed, probably won’t experience any benefits simply because it’s impossible to repair cartilage that no longer exists. Most oral Glucosamine is easily absorbed because molecules are very small, easily diffused and water-soluble.

After viewing brief research above, I began taking oral doses of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, 1500mg a day, 3 capsules. My first choice was AST’s ProFlex 750 Joint Support formula. I ended up going to Costco and getting Kirkland’s Glucosamine Sulfate product as well. Just so I could have a supply at home. Different products but basically, Glucosamine and some Chondroitin.

Within first few days, my elbow tendonitis symptoms started to disappear. I’ve been taking this product for about 2 weeks now, and my workouts are back to their regular intensity. Taking a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement has all but cured my elbow tendonitis. From research I could gather, it’s important to take these products when you still have a lot of cartilage to repair. It’s pretty ineffective to take it when damage is too severe or cartilage is absent. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance in body with a primary function of stimulating growth and repair of cartilage tissues.