Chondroitin & Glucosamine

Painful chronic joint health affects about one out of every three people nationwide. As our population ages, this number will increase dramatically. Education is critical in this area because there is no clinical evidence proving these conditions are normal (normally, joints don’t wear out – they are damaged by abuse). Excluding some types of accidents, almost all poor joint health is caused by a combination of improper nutrition and dehydration - what is also true is the fact that an accident can be the result of this pattern of poor nutrition and dehydration. It can be reversed when treated before joint degradation takes place.

Commonly prescribed medications for chronic joint pain and discomfort only address the pain. This is where serious damage can take place because continued use of a joint without nutritional and hydration changes can result in serious damage to the joint.

I realize it is a common belief that joints wear out; however, I have recovered from two serious joint problems (left hip and my right knee) by improving my level of hydration, by adding Chondroitin, Glucosamine and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) to my supplements and making changes in my diet, Today, I can still walk, run, and ride my bicycle with no joint discomfort.

Clinical Studies

Short term controlled studies have reported glucosamine as effective in relieving pain in patients with osteoarthritis and for increasing their range of motion. A four-week double-blind trial of 252 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee found oral glucosamine sulfate 500 mg. three times a day more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms.

Another four-week double-blind trial of 200 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee revealed 500 mg. of glucosamine sulfate as effective in relieving symptoms as ibuprofen 400 mg. three times a day, after the second week.

In a double-blind eight week study of 40 patients with osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate 500 mg. three times a day orally was as effective as ibuprofen 400 mg. three times a day in relieving pain after the first two weeks. In all reports glucosamine was generally well tolerated with the incidence of gastrointestinal upset no higher than placebo.

The studies, though yielding desirable results were not considered well-designed studies. Well-designed studies must be conducted using sufficient numbers of patients over sufficient periods of time, at least one year, by experienced investigators, using objective measures and statistical techniques that can determine if improvement is the direct result of the treatment. The existing studies met few of the criteria and were conducted on far too few patients. Also, no research has indicated whether greater relief occurs when glucosamine and chondroitin are used in combination.

Conclusion

The consensus is that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements might lessen pain in 30 to 50 percent of patients with osteoarthritis. Many doctors now believe it is worth trying these supplements for osteoarthritis. They appear to be safe, but doctors are warning patients that the quality and effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin varies because of the non-regulation. If you want to try them, buy high quality products from a reputable source.

Note; There are a lot of supplements on the market advertising glucosamine and chondroitin. Some of them are of little value because of the amount of the active ingredients. Know your source and understand the information on the label. It's also important to note that when you are not willing to change your diet to help remove the cause of the joint problems, these supplements may do little to help you.

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