By Karen on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 09:33 am:

I have tried a supplement called Arthred -- a
patented formula of bovine collagen that helps
improve elasticity of joint tissue (it's used for
arthritis pain in germany, where it was
developed)- i've been taking it about 1 week, and
i do seem to be able to work the joints back in
easier than before; i've also researched amino
acids (which is what is in Arthred powder); like
vitamins, certain amino acids have specific
metabolic functions. for example, alanine, lysine,
proline and threonine are required for rebuilding
and strengthening connective tissue; would like
others' input

By ES PT on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 01:44 pm:

Karen
I am also looking into supplements for musculoskeletal support.
1. Arthred - www.nutricology.com They breakdown the amino acids in the product. Lysine and proline are important. In Total Wellness by Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. he states that: Vitamin C, iron, and alpha-ketoglutarate are required for the enzymes that form collagen out of the amino acids proline and lysine. He also thinks the herb Centella asiatica is important. This herb is found in the supplement Ortho Prolo Max (p. 202, Hauser).

By Patty on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 12:40 am:

I have found that going on a live food vegetarian diet helps me a lot. One, I've lost 34 pounds on it. Less weight on the joints = less pain.
Two, live food has live enzymes to replenish those that get used up in everyday activities (enzymes are killed in cooked or processed foods). All the things to help enzymes work better have to have enzymes to work on! I eat no meat, fish or dairy, sugar, and try to avoid white flour and salt. Tough, but do-able.
I don't expect total freedoms from pain, but I am having a lot less - like pain meds once a week instead of daily.

By bmoorthy on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 08:41 am:

I am looking for some veg items which can help my daughter (5 years old)can some one give the required input.

By P. Hollander on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 05:43 pm:

I'm 38 with Marfan's. Since high school I've tried to sustain taking a number of vitamins/supplements, though I've gone several years without. I have no idea if these help or not. I'm still alive and kicking, and haven't had to have heart surgery (yet....). Among my staples currently are 10 grams/day of Vitamin C and 4 grams/day of proline and lysine. The products I currently use include Now Food's 1,000 mg Vitamin C w/ citrus bioflavinoids and Pro-Rite (containing 500 mg/tablet of proline and lysine each) by Carlson Laboratories. I live in San Francisco and get my vitamins/supplements from Vitamin Express, which also sells online and which I highly recommend. I wish there were more information about vitamins/supplements and Marfan's.