Chondroitin is important because it is like a water magnet-attracting and holding onto water which is necessary for healthy cartilage. Water acts as lubrication which keeps cartilage spongy and helps with shock absorption and a medium for the transmission of beneficial nutrients since blood does not go to cartilage. If water was not present, soon cartilage would deteriorate, become dry, thin and fragile and malnourished.

Chondroitin is molecule with a long chain and negative charge. The chondroitin chain wraps itself around proteoglycans and because they carry a negative charge, the chains repel each other. This ensures space between the proteoglycans which are known as matrixes. Fluid flows inside these matrixes and holds water in the cartilage like a sponge.

In addition to attracting and holding water in the cartilage chondroitin works to inhibit cartilage destroying enzymes. Chondroitin also interferes with enzymes that starve cartilage of fluid and stimulates glucosamine, collagen and proteoglycan production.

Eliminate Arthritis Pain Immediately

If you take blood thinning medications, you should talk to your doctor before taking chondroitin because it may cause bleeding.

Chondroitin occurs naturally in the body and is a part of the cartilage that cushions joints. Chondroitin has been found to be just as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis in several studies and chondroitin does not have the negative side effects associated with NSAIDS such as stomach irritation and gastric upset.

Studies done before the 1990’s cast doubts on the effectiveness of chondroitin and how well it is absorbed in the body, but these studies were poorly designed and too small to show anything. Now scientists know that chondroitin is well absorbed by the body and both the European League against Rheumatism and the American College of Rheumatology recommend the use of chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

One study is being done by the National Institutes of Health on the effectiveness of chondroitin and the supplement glucosamine when used together. The results are due out in the year 2005. Glucosamine also has properties that help in the treatment of osteoarthritis and are often sold in combination with each other as well as other anti-arthritis ingredients such as bromelain, sea cucumber, zinc, horetail, manganes and boswellia.

It is still unproven that chondroitin actually rebuilds cartilage but chondroitin does improve elasticity of cartilage and maintain and improve water retention in cartilage-two vital things necessary for cartilage health. Chondroitin also prevents further breakdown of cartilage by inhibiting the enzymes that cause the deterioration of cartilage.

So far, chondroitin has been shown to improve movement and decrease joint pain in the hips and knees of people with osteoarthritis, however, there is no evidence that chondroitin works on the joints of the spine, thumbs, ankles fingers or other areas.

Chondroitin does not work as well with rheumatoid arthritis as it does with osteoarthritis because rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation rather than a deterioration of cartilage as is the cause of osteoarthritis.

Studies done on chondroitin suggest that it can reduce the pain of osteoarthritis by as much as 50 percent. These studies may be flawed, however, so the actual effectiveness may be less.

Get Rid of Fibromyalgia Pain for Good

Chondroitin has been shown to have very few side effects which make it advantageous over conventional medications such as NSAIDs in the treatment of osteoarthritis pain. Only stomach upset has been reported in rare cases.

The dosage to take of chondroitin for osteoarthritis treatment is 400-600 milligrams three times per day. Results may not appear for one or two months due to the length of time it takes to repair cartilage so you will need to keep using other drugs for the pain of osteoarthritis until chondroitin starts working to repair cartilage (Chondroitin can be used safely along with drugs such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen).

However, if chondroitin does not begin working for you in several months, it will probably never work. One advantage of chondroitin over other medications is the long term effectiveness of the drug. Another advantage of chondroitin is that you do not have to worry about taking it with meals.

Chondroitin can be even more effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis if you take it along with the supplements glucosamine, niacinamide or S-adenosylmethinine.

If you are pregnant, can become pregnant or are a child, you should not use chondroitin without first consulting with your health care provider.

Discover how to Immediately Eliminate Your Arthritis Pain -- once and for all -- with proven natural inflammation supplements for joint pain relief!