Glucosamine - Chondroitin for joint health

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease, affecting 21 million Americans each year, and results from a progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage. The large, weight-bearing joints tend to be most adversely effected – in particular, the spine, hip, and knee. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. In a healthy joint, the cartilage within the joint serves as a cushion, permitting the bones to rotate, glide, and roll upon each other smoothly and easily during activities like walking. Over time, acute, “micro” injuries go unnoticed, are ignored, and when not properly cared for, cause more damage that escalates the problem. The resulting chronic inflammation from repeated injury and repair (exacerbated by age, poor diet or repeated injury) can lead to elimination of the smooth matrix characteristic of healthy cartilage. The result can be eroded cartilage, exposed bone, and formation of bone spurs (small calcium and tissue deposits). As erosion takes place, the joint space narrows, and with advanced forms of OA can result in “bone grinding on bone”. There are a number of established risk factors for OA, including age, overtraining with joint-loading exercises, chronic joint injury, obesity, genetics, and low estrogen levels.

Both glucosamine and chondroitin have been subjected to an impressive array of high quality human clinical studies in adults with OA (Table 2). The two most recently conducted randomized, controlled trials conducted on glucosamine and chondroitin also happen to be the two largest trials conducted on these nutrients to date. The NIH-sponsored glucosamine/chondroitin arthritis intervention trial (GAIT) involved more than 1500 OA patients who ingested 1500 mg/day glucosamine hydrochloride, 1200 mg/day chondroitin sulfate, the combination of the two, 200 mg/day of the prescription pain medication Celebrex™, or placebo for twenty four weeks. The results after six months indicate that the glucosamine/chondroitin combination were significantly more effective at reducing moderate to severe knee pain than placebo, and slightly more so than Celebrex™ (12). The glucosamine unum die efficacy (GUIDE) trial conducted in Europe involved more than 300 OA patients who ingested 1500 mg/day glucosamine sulfate, 3000 mg/day acetaminophen, or placebo for twenty four weeks. Preliminary results indicate that the glucosamine sulfate was significantly more effective than acetaminophen at reducing pain (13). Both studies reported that the supplements were safe and well tolerated.

While the data are overwhelmingly supportive of glucosamine and chondroitin as effective alternative OA therapies, their effectiveness at preventing or reducing the risk of OA remains to be conclusively determined. However, the very nature of the two serving as structural components of cartilage (Figure 3) strongly supports a hypothesis of OA prevention or CRN BACKGROUNDER Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Joint Health 6 delayed onset. Further, in addition to the benefits of pain reduction, research has demonstrated that alone or in combination they appear slow the progression of joint degeneration, stimulate production of new cartilage, increase joint space (or reduce joint space narrowing), have an anti-inflammatory effect, and improve mobility (14-22), all of which play an important role in the development of OA (Figure 4). These effects, rather than analgesia (the traditional treatment modality for OA), are responsible for the pain reduction conferred by glucosamine and chondroitin. Experts now agree that each of these nutrients is considered to be effective over a period of 2-6 months, with longer studies showing continued safety and benefit.

The most commonly suggested doses are 1500 mg for glucosamine (either hydrochloride or sulfate) and 1200 mg for chondroitin sulfate daily. These amounts are equally effective taken all at once or divided into two or three doses per day. Individuals with existing OA or those at high risk for developing OA, such as elderly, athletes involved in high-impact exercise, or post-menopausal women, will likely benefit the most.

1. Arthritis Pain Center - Huge internet resource for arthritis pain.  This website is run by a guitar player who suffers with arthritis.  Buy liquid glucosamein and chondroitin with MSM here!
   -- http://www.arthritis-pain-center.com/
2. Arthri-Cure - Offers a proprietary formula of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin.
   -- http://arthritis-free.com/   Shopping: Health: Conditions and Diseases: Musculoskeletal Disorders: Arthritis
3. Cortaflex Health Products - Learn about and buy the dietary supplement containing Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM, which helps maintain and improve joint health and assist in the repair of damaged and worn cartilage.
   -- http://www.cortaflex-healthproducts.com/   Regional: Europe: United Kingdom: Business and Economy: Shopping: Health: Nutrition
4. Perfect Joint Blend - A dietary supplement that combines glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and ascorbic acid to help improve mobility.
   -- http://www.perfect-joint.com/   Health: Animal: Mammals: Equine: Nutrition
5. Premium Edge Pet Food - Making a complete dry food for all ages, with added supplements including glucosamine and chondroitin.
   -- http://www.premiumedgepetfood.com   Business: Consumer Goods and Services: Pet Supplies: Pet Food: Dogs and Cats
6. Nutraceuticals and the Arthritic Canine - Recommendations for the use of natural supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to help dogs with arthritis and related joint conditions.
   -- http://placervillevet.com/nutraceuticals.htm   Health: Animal: Mammals: Dogs: Conditions and Diseases: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Glucosamine - Chondroitin for joint health

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.