Glucosamine with Chondroitin - Triple Strength for Joint Health

Name: Glucosamine with Chondroitin - Triple Strength for Joint Health

Scientific Name:

Intro: Chondroitin is a simple molecule that occurs naturally in the body. It is a major component of cartilage -- the tough, connective tissue that cushions the joints. Chondroitin helps to keep cartilage resilient by absorbing fluid (particularly water) into the connective tissue. It is also believed to block enzymes that break down cartilage and it provides the building blocks needed for cartilage to repair itself. Chondroitin is believed to be more effective when taken along with glucosamine, a supplement thought to be effective in treating OA.

Chondroitin is also an effective treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a type of arthritis caused by the inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage. Chondroitin supplements have been shown to decrease the pain of OA and slow the progression of the disease.

Nutrient Content:

Benefits:

May be an effective treatment for OA -- particularly OA of the knee or hip
Protects existing cartilage from premature degeneration by blocking certain enzymes that destroy cartilage and prevent nutrients from being transported to the cartilage for repair
Significantly reduces OA pain
Improves functional status of people with hip or knee OA
Reduces joint swelling and stiffness
Provides relief from OA symptoms for up to 3 months after treatment is discontinued
May aid in alleviating distress associated with osteoporosis

Comments: Unlike other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), chondroitin causes virtually no side effects. The Dietary Supplement Informaion Bureau recommends a dosage of approximately 600 mg , 3 times a day, of Chondroitin a day.

Caution: Mild side effects of chondroitin reported in recent studies include diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. There have been rare reports of swelling and accumulation of fluid in the eyelids and lower limbs, irregular heartbeats, and alopecia (hair loss) after taking the supplement.
Since the safety of chondroitin has not been widely studied, pregnant and breastfeeding women should refrain from using this supplement until more scientific evidence becomes available.

Possible Interactions

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use chondroitin without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Blood-thinning Medications
Chondroitin and heparin, a drug used to thin the blood, are similar in chemical composition. For this reason, some researchers speculate that people may suffer bleeding complications from chondroitin, particularly when it is used in combination with other blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin or heparin.

Cisplatin
Preliminary animal studies also suggest that chondroitin sulfate may reduce the kidney toxicity associated with cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug used for cancer treatment. Further studies are needed to determine whether chondroitin has the same effect in people taking cisplatin.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Taking chondroitin supplements may result in a decreased need for NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to relieve the pain and swelling associated with OA. Because NSAIDs and aspirin can cause serious side effects, such as stomach bleeding and ulcers, chondroitin may be a useful adjunct or even alternative. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider before adding chondroitin to your healthcare regimen.