Chondroitin Sulfate - Glucosamine - Uses - Benefits - Side Effects
Chondroitin sulfate is a popular dietary supplement. Chondroitin sulfate is often used in combination with glucosamine. Information on the uses, benefits, and side effects of chondroitin sulfate. Studies of chondroitin-glucosamine for osteoarthritis have shown the combination is better than placebo, but benefits seem to depend on severity of pain.
Chondroitin is a component of human connective tissues that are found in cartilage and bone. A form of chondroitin, known as chondroitin sulfate, is used as a dietary supplement for osteoarthritis.
Long awaited results from GAIT (Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial) and GUIDE (Glucosamine Unum In Die Efficacy) were presented at the 2005 ACR meeting.
How much glucosamine or chondroitin should a patient take to achieve a beneficial or therapeutic effect?
Chondroitin and glucosamine are dietary supplements used together to help ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis. The combination was popularized by the 1997 book "The Arthritis Cure", that mixed factual information with anecdotes of the clinical effectiveness. The exact mechanism of action of chondroitin is unknown. But, it's known that chondroitin inhibits enzymes that degrade cartilage.
Over 40 million Americans take the dietary supplement chondroitin as a treatment for arthritis. Since chondroitin is derived from cow cartilage, some fear that contamination with the infective agent of Mad Cow Disease is possible.
For almost two decades there has been a debate in the treatment of arthritis about the use of the joint supplements glucosamine and chondroitin.
Osteoarthritis is also known as "wear-and-tear" arthritis. It is typically seen as a primary disease in older people but can occur as a secondary condition in younger people. Injury, occupation, excess weight, and genetics are among the factors which cause the cartilage of a joint to wear away. Take our Osteoarthritis Screening Quiz.
Essential information and profile of the supplement chondroitin, from UMM.
