Overview
Glucosamine & Chondroitin: If you have joint pain, you’d be crazy not to try this supplement.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are substances which the body
uses to make ‘proteoglycans’ which, in turn, are used to maintain
and repair the cartilage in joints. Proteoglycans also attract
water into the joint space for lubrication during movement.
Many studies have shown a clear benefit of glucosamine
supplements in reducing pain and improving range of motion in
osteoarthritic
joints. Other studies have demonstrated that osteoarthritis
patients taking chondroitin sulfate see improvements of at least
50% in measurements such as pain level, joint stiffness and
walking speed. In clinical studies improvements were seen within
8 to 12 weeks at doses of 1500 to 2000 mg/day of glucosamine
sulfate and 1200 mg/day of chondroitin sulfate.
The typical daily dose of this product is 3 capsules — higher doses may work faster.
Read Glucosamine & Chondroitin Monograph
Glucosamine is an altered form of glucose in which one of the oxygen atoms in the glucose molecule has been replaced by a
nitrogen atom. Chondroitin molecules are specialized polysaccharides (i.e., chains of certain sugars).
In
the cartilage of joints glucosamine is incorporated into longer chains
known as ‘glycosaminoglycans’; these are then combined with chondroitin
to form very large structures known as proteoglycans. It is thought
that proteoglycans are needed for maintaining and repairing damage to
the joint cartilage, and for attracting water into the joint space for
lubrication during movement.
Many studies have shown a clear benefit of
glucosamine supplements in reducing pain and improving range of motion
in osteoarthritic joints. Other studies have demonstrated that
osteoarthritis patients taking chondroitin sulfate see improvements of
at least 50% in measurements such as pain level, joint stiffness and
walking speed. In clinical studies improvements were seen within 8 to
12 weeks at doses of 1500 to 2000 mg/day of glucosamine sulfate and
1200 mg/day of chondroitin sulfate.
This product combines glucosamine sulfate (stabilized with potassium chloride) and chondroitin sulfate in the ratio considered
optimum for joint improvement. The typical daily dose is 3 capsules — higher doses may work faster.
