Both glucosamine and chondroitin are chemical parts used in the development of normal cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the body that acts as a cushion between the bones in the joints. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are natural substances found within the cartilage and used as building blocks when the body produces cartilage.
For over two decades there has been a debate raging about the use of glucosamine and chondroitin in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This is a particular type of arthritis that is caused by the normally smooth surface of the cartilage wearing out or becoming fragmented. Often times, this is called wear and tear arthritis and it causes joint pain, swelling and deformity. It is also the most common type of arthritis diagnosed in the world today.
Approximately 27 million Americans alone suffer from osteoarthritis. Because of the increased awareness of natural treatments and holistic health, more people are open to trying new therapies and dietary supplements to find relief for their pain as well as improve their potential for overall improvement.
Glucosamine is found naturally in the body and stimulates the formation and repair of articular cartilage. This is the type of cartilage found between the joints. When an individual purchases glucosamine supplements over the counter they are often from animal sources. The second piece of the puzzle, chondroitin sulfate, is another natural substance that prevents other body enzymes from degrading the building blocks of joint cartilage.
These supplements are usually found together in tablet, capsule, powder or liquid form. They can be taken in combination with each other or with other dietary supplements to help improve the overall health of the joints. Interestingly, most research shows that when taken alone there has been no effect on pain relief with people who have osteoarthritis. However, when taken together it has been shown to help reduce pain in people who have moderate to severe osteoarthritis. Some studies indicate that it is as potent in relieving symptoms as ibuprofen, but without the side effects or the damage done to the liver. (1)
Since glucosamine is often derived from shellfish you should not take it you are allergic to shellfish. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements and so they can be sold with limited or no research to back up their claims.
Just because you are using a dietary or nutritional supplement does not mean that it won’t have side effects or trigger allergic reactions. These nutritional supplements can also interact with prescription and nonprescription medications so you should always check with your pharmacist before adding glucosamine and chondroitin to your daily regimen.
Also, because manufacturing is not standardized, side effects may differ between brands. Look for manufacturing companies who use the USP label. This is a voluntary evaluation of their manufacturing processes which ensures higher standards.
While individuals have received a significant amount of positive benefits from using glucosamine and chondroitin to treat their painful osteoarthritis there has been no known studies which show that the addition of these nutritional supplements will alter the availability of these building blocks inside the arthritic joint. There have been numerous studies though which show that patients experience more pain reduction than those receiving a placebo and sometimes those who receive ibuprofen. The difference is that these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs carry an increased risk of gastrointestinal disturbance and bleeding.
Speak with your primary care physician to ensure that these nutritional supplements will not alter your treatment in any way with other underlying medical conditions from which you might suffer. Also speak with your pharmacist to ensure that there are no interactions with other medications you may be taking, whether prescription, over-the-counter or other supplements.
Nutritional supplements are complementary medications to your medical treatments. This means, that you should not stop your current regimen which was recommended by your physician in regard to diet, exercise, medications or other therapies without first consulting with your physician and understanding the side effects which you may suffer. Do your research and find out about the supplement, the manufacturing process and how reputable the company is prior to starting a new regimen. Report any adverse effects or side effects to your primary care physician immediately. Stop taking the product if you suffer from any side effects and remember that while they are potent enough to help and they are also probably strong enough to harm if taken inappropriately.
(1) Annals of Rheumatic Diseases: Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Their Combination, Celecoxib or Placebo Taken to Treat Osteoarthritis of the Knee
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20525840
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