What is Chondroitin?

What is Glucosamine Chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are both substances that are found naturally in the human body. Glucosamine sulfate is a type of amino sugar that scientists believe plays a part in the formation and repair of joint cartilage. These amino sugars absorb water and provide lubrication and shock absorption for the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joints. As you age, glucosamine amino sugar levels decline and lose some of their ability to absorb water.

Taking glucosamine supplements has been shown to improve the amount of this amino sugar that is taken up into the cartilage and thus improve the joint pain from arthritis. Glucosamine sulfate has been shown to be as effective as ibuprofen in some double-blind clinical trials. Chondroitin is a fibrous protein that helps to hold water in the cartilage, it is essential to the proper functioning of cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) which gives cartilage it's elasticity.

Studies have shown that people with arthritis often have low levels of natural Chondroitin.

Benefits of Glucosamine Chondroitin:
for Arthritis Sufferers Glucosamine and Chondroitin work better when used in combination, one multiplies the effect of the other. The main benefits of these supplements is a decrease in the amount of joint pain and stiffness felt by arthritis suffers.

Glucosamine chondroitin sulfate can be bought both as dietary or nutritional supplements, separately and in combination. The two main forms available are pills and a liquid. Liquid glucosamine is preferred by many people because it's faster acting and more easily absorbed by your body.

Chondroitin Sulfate is generally used in combination with glucosamine in what is known as a "synergistic" way. This means that they work together to give you additional benefits, helping to relieve the joint pain associated with arthritis.

Glucosamine is made (extracted) from crab, lobster or shrimp shells; and Chondroitin sulfate is produced from animal cartilage, such as tracheas, shark or cow cartilage. Human studies have shown that both of these supplements may relieve arthritis pain and stiffness with fewer side effects than conventional arthritis drugs. (vegetarians see below)

A glucosamine and chondroitin supplement can help when your body can't keep up with the repair of cartilage.

Pain Relief Studies for Glucosamine Chondroitin:
Studies have shown that some people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis, reported pain relief at a level similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen taking, when either glucosamine and/or chondroitin. Some research indicates that the supplements might also slow down cartilage damage in people with arthritis.

Definitive results about the effects of these supplements are expected from an in-depth clinical study currently being conducted by the National Institute of Health. Scientific studies also suggest that glucosamine may help to stimulate the production of cartilage building proteins. Also chondroitin may inhibit production of some cartilage destroying enzymes and thus fight inflammation.

Reducing joint pain for arthritis suffers.
Increasing lubrication of the joint, helping joint stiffness.
Stimulating cartilage matrix repair.
Inhibiting enzymes that breakdown cartilage - helps to stop further cartilage damage.
Preserving joint space.
Anti-inflammatory actions - but with less side effects than anti inflammatory drugs.

Glucosamine Sulfate combined with MSM Supplements The latest independent double-blind study by an Indian University found the combination of Glucosamine Sulphate and MSM greatly superior to either supplement used singularly.

Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCl) and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) both contain quite different sulphur molecules. Each having quite different roles in helping to building articular cartilage and synovial fluids. MSM has the additional benefit of being a constituent building block of keratin which is found in your hair and nails, collagen found in your skin and elastin which gives flexibility to your skin.

New Vegetarian Glucosamine Chondroitin Supplements Up until very recently the main source material for Glucosamine Supplements was the shells of crabs, prawns, shrimp and some other shellfish. This has made the supplements unsuitable for vegetarians. Now, an American based company has succeeded in making a Glucosamine Supplement that is produced from a corn base. Many retail outlets now offer vegetarian and vegan versions of their glucosamine products.

BEST SELLER:
Solgar's Chondroitin Sulfate

STAFF PICK:
Natural Factors Chondroitin Sulfate