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by Clement Williams, M.D.
SierraSil:
A Breakthrough Supplement for Arthritis Therapy
What is arthritis?
Aching joints? Swollen fingers? You may be one of 70 million Americans who suffer from arthritis or some form of joint inflammation. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, suffered by more than 30 million Americans.
Osteoarthritis impacts the hardest working joints such as the hips, knees, hands and fingers. The second most common form is rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which affects approximately three million Americans. RA, an autoimmune disease, occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue as though it were a foreign invader. Ultimately, this results in severe pain and inflammation, joint disfigurement and loss of joint movement and function.
The proper management of joint pain is the cornerstone of good medicine, particularly as we age. In my medical clinic, joint pain is the most common symptom we see on a daily basis. In recent years there have been numerous advances in integrative approaches to arthritis, most of which rely on dietary supplements. One of the newest and most promising nutritional products is SierraSil™.
SierraSil: A Clinically Validated Unique Mineral
SierraSil is a powerful, fast-acting, newly available mineral supplement that promotes joint mobility, flexibility and active lifestyles. A distinct, naturally occurring volcanic mineral deposit found only in the high Sierra Mountains, SierraSil is comprised of a uniquely balanced blend of more than 65 naturally-occurring macro and trace minerals. With SierraSil, a wide range of mineral deficiencies can be corrected.
SierraSil is manufactured exclusively for Sierra Mountain Minerals, Inc., a company that is committed to providing clinical validation and is currently engaged in a number of studies. Based on the success of a pilot study, SierraSil is being investigated in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled human clinical trial involving osteoarthritis patients. A mechanism of action study was just completed and will be published shortly.
Unlike prescription drugs and OTC products, which may cause adverse side effects and nutrient depletions, SierraSil has also been shown to be completely safe. A toxicity study found that SierraSil was unable to produce any toxic effect in 100 percent of the animals tested at approximately 80 times the recommended intake level. In fact, the animals used in the toxicity study experienced improved health and gained weight overall. While the results of early research are very promising, there is a substantial amount of positive anecdotal evidence.
Conventional Therapy: Short-Term Relief but Serious Side Effects
As baby boomers continue to age, the sales of prescription and OTC arthritis products have also increased. While OTC and prescription drugs can provide short-term relief from pain and inflammation, they do not address the underlying causes of the condition. In addition, prescription and OTC drugs may cause serious side effects and deplete important vitamins and minerals needed for overall health.
NSAIDs, the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin and others and are commonly associated with upset stomach, gastrointestinal bleeding and even the development of gastric ulcers. They are also associated with nutrient depletion of important minerals including calcium, zinc, magnesium and vitamins D, C and folic acid.
A new class of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors, available by prescription, was designed to avoid the stomach and intestinal problems. They include Celebrex® (celecoxib) and Vioxx® (rofecoxib). However, manufacturers of Celebrex and Vioxx offer serious safety warnings. Merck, the manufacturer of Vioxx, warns that “serious but rare side effects have been reported” including heart attacks, serious kidney problems and severe liver problems such as hepatitis, jaundice and liver failure.
These laboratory, man-made substances, may never be safe, long-term solutions. Today more Americans are looking for natural, safe and integrative approaches to joint health including the use of dietary supplements. Many of these products are supported by sound clinical studies, cost-effective and completely safe. Glucosamine/chondroitin supplements have been the leader in sales in the joint support category, however, they do nothing to address wideranging mineral deficiencies.
Other important supplements for joint support include MSM, SAMe and essential fatty acids. Some mineral products have also been used to promote joint support and overall health.
SierraSil, Nature’s Ultimate Mineral
Minerals perform extraordinary functions in the body. Aside from their importance in the body’s structural integrity, some of the most important roles that we are aware of are as electrolytes, enzymes, gene expression modulators and pH maintenance buffers.
The body can make many vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids and their derivative molecules but it cannot make a single mineral. If minerals are not consumed, you’ll be deficient and your body will resort to “stealing” minerals from its fluids, soft tissues (like muscles) and bones. This, in turn, causes more serious health problems. Due to mineral depletions in our soil, you cannot get all of the important minerals from the food you consume. It is critical that you supplement your diet with macro and trace minerals.
 SierraSil, called “nature’s ultimate mineral,” is an excellent mineral supplement. It is comprised of more than 65 naturally-occurring macro and trace minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous, manganese, selenium, vanadium, chromium, boron and molybdenum in a form that possesses unusual health promoting properties. Other naturally occurring minor elements found in SierraSil may be even more beneficial for health. If you provide your body a full range of minerals, your physiology will sort the needed requirements to achieve more optimal nutrition.
SierraSil is a unique mineral complex with extraordinary properties. Dr. Haydn Murray, a renowned mineralogist, has studied mineral deposits throughout the world. After conducting an x-ray diffraction analysis of SierraSil, Dr. Murray reported, “In my more than 50 years of mineral research, I have never seen a combination of minerals like this before. The parent igneous rock material was altered by an underground hot water solution that resulted in a very unusual mineral suite.”
Powerful SierraSil Testimonials
The company has already amassed a large body of significant anecdotal evidence. This includes the endorsement by high profile athletes and sports figures including Ken Venturi, the 1964 U.S. Open Champion, Susie McAllister, an LPGA champion, Greg Body, a former NHL hockey player, Jay Utter, a U.S. Tae Kwon Do champion and aspiring Olympic competitor.
Ken Venturi’s story is quite remarkable. Ken was forced to retire at the young age of 35 due to carpal tunnel syndrome. While he went on to become the longest-running television sports analyst providing color commentary on golf events, he yearned to play golf again in comfort. Unfortunately, as he aged, Ken developed arthritis, which affected his hands. Ken tried everything, but nothing worked. A good friend of Ken’s recommended SierraSil. “I’ve been taking SierraSil every day for 12 months, and it’s been amazing,” Ken said. “The strength has come back to my hands, and I have more flexibility than before. I’m back to hitting golf balls almost every day, and I’ve picked up distance again.” A son of Irish and Italian Americans, you can see the glint in Ken’s eyes; he has returned to the game he loves.
Kathy DeLap, 43, an elementary school educator and mother of two, suffered from a debilitating neck condition for nearly her entire adult life. Kathy tried practically everything from chiropractic care, physical therapy, orthopedic surgery and even traction for an hour a day. She reconciled herself to living with pain. Every morning upon awakening, Kathy would reach over to her nightstand to take pain medication. In March, her cousin Dale recommended that she try SierraSil. Kathy tried SierraSil and within days experienced powerful results. “Five days after I started taking SierraSil,” Kathy says, “I sat in my classroom at school and tears started rolling down my face. It took me a millisecond to realize why; I had not thought about my neck once that entire day, which is something that hasn’t happened in 25 years.” Today, Kathy is able to play volleyball with her beautiful daughter Mindy, without any discomfort or anxiety about how she’ll feel the next day.
Jane Gnoza, 42, a physical therapy assistant, had arthritis in her shoulders that caused a terrible pain. The discomfort started in high school when she swam competitively. Over the years, the pain got worse and she thought that her only option was surgery. Imagine trying to provide physical therapy when you, yourself can barely lift your arms over your head without discomfort. Being a yoga practitioner and health conscious, Jane tried so many products over the years she can’t even remember them all. Her physical trainer recommended SierraSil. She gave it a try. “Since I started taking SierraSil, I feel wonderful. For the first time in 20 years, my shoulders have been pain-free,” Jane said.
My knowledge of SierraSil also comes from personal and clinical experience. I am a long-time proponent of antiaging and integrative medicine. Earlier this year, I injured my knee. It became so painful that walking from my desk over to examine my patients was difficult—and this was a distance of only three steps. I tried a couple of prescription drugs but they didn’t work; instead it got worse. SierraSil was attractive because it is a natural product. Within a week I noticed positive results and can now walk painfree. My patients have also experienced similar results.
The Next Breakthrough in the Joint Support Category
Over 2000 years ago, Hippocrates, the great Greek physician, wrote that “exercise is the best medicine.” Today, nothing has changed. However, the key component to optimum health is an optimal nutritional program and SierraSil is a cornerstone of this program. SierraSil, a powerful macro and trace mineral supplement, exhibits beneficial properties in small amounts. The recommended daily intake of SierraSil for joint mobility is two-to-three grams or just three to five capsules daily. Unlike some joint support formulas that can take up to three months to work, SierraSil users often have noticeable benefits in less than 10 days. Also, unlike many other joint support products, SierraSil is completely vegetarian.
Initial scientific studies and anecdotal evidence regarding SierraSil and its ability to promote joint health are very promising. SierraSil is poised to become the next breakthrough supplement for those suffering from arthritis and challenging joint conditions.
Clement Williams, M.D., physician and surgeon, is the director of the Dundarave Medical Clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia. Currently Dr. Williams is involved in a number of clinical studies on men’s health issues and is planning research on SierraSil with arthritis patients.
For more information on SierraSil you can visit their web site:
sierrasil.com
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