Understanding Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance that is a precursor to substances found in cartilage. Chondroitin is also found in cartilage and the two of them are often included together in supplements known as glucosamine chondroitin complex. Glucosamine chondroitin is one of the most commonly used supplements and is most often taken for the treatment of arthritis.
About Glucosamine
Glucosamine is found in the exoskeletons of shellfish and is extracted through a chemical process known as hydrolysis. It can also be made through fermentation of some grain products. Glucosamine has been shown to increase cartilage building capability because it is one of the building blocks of cartilage.
About Chondroitin
Chondroitin is found in animal cartilage and is commonly extracted from shark and cow cartilage. It can also be synthetically created in a laboratory. Chondroitin provides cartilage flexibility and has been shown to potentially limit cartilage destroying enzymes and may decrease inflammation.
Forms of Glucosamine Chondroitin
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are widely available in different forms of supplements. Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex is a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin with vitamin C. Glucosamine sulfate, also called glucosamine sulphate is the combination of glucosamine with a sulfate salt molecule.
Glucosamine Hydrochloride or glucosamine HCl is the formulation of glucosamine with a carrier molecule of hydrochloride. The sulfate and HCl portions of the supplement have little effect as they are simply salt carriers which will dissolve in the stomach. Glucosamine methylsulfonylmethane or glucosamine MSM is the formulation of glucosamine with a highly useful form of sulfur which is thought to increase the activity of glucosamine.
Effectiveness of Glucosamine Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin have been used for nearly 30 years for the treatment of arthritis pain. Many different studies of the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin have been done using all of the available forms. Traditional medical professionals often take a dim view of any natural supplement but many arthritis patients experience a great deal of positive benefit from glucosamine chondroitin.
Some studies have shown glucosamine and glucosamine chondroitin to be as effective at over the counter and prescription medications such as NSAIDs and celecoxib at relieving arthritis pain including a large study known as GAIT (Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial) which was performed at 13 Universities.
Glucosamine and chondroitin have a much lower risk of side effects than most traditional medications. Most natural health practitioners recommend a daily dosage of approximately 1500mg for the treatment of arthritis.
Precautions
Glucosamine is most often derived from shellfish but can be made from grains such as corn. There is a small chance that people with shellfish allergies should not take glucosamine made from shellfish. Glucosamine chondroitin can occasionally cause mild digestive difficulties such as gas formation and diarrhea. Glucosamine chondroitin should generally not be taken by pregnant women because it’s safety has not been studied.
