Glucosamine and chondroitin have been used safely and effectively for many years in Europe. Those that take glucosamine and chondroitin report very few side effects. They can be found as dietary or nutritional supplements and available without a prescription. Glucosamine comes from lobster crab or shrimp shells and chondroitin comes from animal cartilage like tracheas or shark cartilage.

Often, chondroitin is sold in a combination formula for arthritis along with the supplement glucosamine and other supplements such as the anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain, sea cucumber, zinc, horsetail, manganese and boswellia (a tree extract).

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Chondroitin is a commonly misspelled word that often appears as chondritin, chondroiton, chrondroitin and chondrotin.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural substances that are already in the connective tissues of the human body. Glucosamine is a type of amino sugars that forms and repairs cartilage. Chondroitin is a segment of a big protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives elasticity to cartilage. Both glucosamine and chondroitin have anti-inflammatory properties in them which are why they are helpful in treating rheumatic diseases such as arthritis (inflammation and pain of the joints).

Glucosamine sulfate is the number one building block for the large molecules that are inside cartilage which give the cartilage buffering properties, called viscoelastic properties. This buffering is necessary for smooth movement of the joint. Glucosamine can be taken orally and it absorbs readily (within four hours) into the cartilage.

Glucosamine is also helpful for the pain of arthritis due to the anti-inflammatory properties it contains. Glucosamine works similarly to anti-inflammatory drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without the negative side effects. Some common NSAIDs include aspirin and ibuprofen. Past studies have shown that those taking glucosamine and chondroitin for mild to moderate osteoarthritis reported pain relief similar to the pain relief from NSAIDs.

In addition, glucosamine has shown to have a protective effect on cartilage in many studies. These studies have shown glucosamine helps both build cartilage and prevent the breakdown of cartilage. Currently, a study is being done by the National Institute of Health on the slowing of cartilage damage in those taking glucosamine and chondroitin. Definitive results are expected soon.

Another study is being done on glucosamine and chondroitin in order to study the effect of these supplements on osteoarthritis knee pain. This study, which will be completed in March of 2005, will be double-blind and placebo-controlled. The study will have 1588 participants. 
 

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The following are quotes from Consumer Reports on glucosamine and chondroitin: “Our medical consultants say there’s enough evidence to conclude that products containing the amounts of glucosamine, chondroitin, or both what worked in the clinical trials might be worth trying for people with osteoarthritis—particularly if they’ve experienced or are likely to experience significant side effects from conventional painkillers.”

When you purchase glucosamine and chondroitin, remember that the quality of the product, the other ingredients in the supplement as well as the delivery system make a big difference in the amount of relief experienced.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are not indicated for use in children, pregnant women or women who can become pregnant due to a lack of studies of these supplements on the long term or short term effects on children or developing fetuses. In addition, if you are taking blood thinning medications or daily aspirin therapy, if you take chondroitin, you should have your blood clotting time checked often because chondroitin may cause blood thinning and may cause bleeding in some individuals.

Furthermore, if you are allergic to shellfish, you should consult your doctor before taking glucosamine because glucosamine is extracted from shellfish. Generally, there should be no problem since there allergies are usually caused by the proteins of shellfish, not the chitin which is a carbohydrate taken from shellfish.

As with any natural supplement, it is important to inform your doctor that you are taking them. Some people think that “all natural” products and vitamins don’t have to be reported to the doctor, but this is not true. Your doctor should be aware of any drugs and supplements you are taking. Overall, glucosamine and chondroitin are safe, effective treatments for the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis. They also are effective in creating and preventing the deterioration of cartilage.

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