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Another approach to arthritis
Are you among the one in seven Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that is a common form of arthritis? If so, you may want to learn more about glucosamine and chondroitin.
Both glucosamine and chondroitin occur naturally in our bodies and are important to proper cartilage and joint function. Chondroitin helps to form, nourish, and replace collagen, which helps make up our cartilage. Glucosamine works alongside chondroitin to help stimulate the production and maintenance of collagen.
Together, glucosamine and chondroitin play important roles in cartilage metabolism, maintenance, and regulation. Adequate amounts of these two nutrients can be crucial for our joints.
Quick Facts About Glucosamine Chondroitin
- Glucosamine has been called an amino acid sugar, but it is not an amino acid. Rather, it is manufactured from an amine and glucose. (This is how it got its name.)
- There are no food sources of glucosamine. The only natural sources are in your body and in chitin (the exoskeleton of shellfish -- crab, lobster, shrimp, and so on).
- Chondroitin can be found in all mammals, including humans, and some shellfish. It connects the protein filaments in your cartilage.
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What Works Best -- and Worst -- with Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid drugs often prescribed for arthritis have been described in some research to inhibit a body's own glucosamine and chondroitin production.
- Most people do not need supplementation, unless they suffer from arthritis or other joint problems.
- Since these substances naturally occur in our bodies, they do not seem to interfere with anti-arthritis medications.
Product Forms Available
- Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements come in several forms, but appear most often as glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. They are available separately or combined.
- Chondroitin is available in 400-mg tablets and capsules.
- Glucosamine is available in 500-mg tablets and capsules.
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Glucosamine is made from interacting glucose with the amine glutamine. Chemically, it is known as 2-amino-2-deoxyglucose. Glucosamine sulfates are sulfur-containing glucosamine compounds.
Chondroitin is a very large molecule with a molecular weight of 5,500 to 6,000. Studies of isolated chondroitin reveal that this compound is a glycosaminoglycan (a mucopolysaccharide). It has a repeating chain, N-acetyl-chondrosine. Each disaccharide unit contains a sulfate group.
Chondroitin supplements come from either natural sources, such as shark or bovine cartilage, or can be manufactured in the lab.
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Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may benefit you if you have arthritis, especially osteoarthritis. Proponents of these supplements claim that they may help ease the pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with arthritis or other joint problems.
Glucosamine and chondroitin have been claimed to address this problem -- the wear-and-tear that destroys cartilage and leads to the hardening and formation of bone spurs in your joints. These supplements are said to have a role in regenerating lost cartilage and possibly repair existing cartilage. If you have experienced joint problems, such as joint pain and stiffness, glucosamine and chondroitin may be able to help you.
Glucosamine stimulates the manufacture of substances necessary for proper joint function, and is also responsible for stimulating joint repair. Chondroitin helps create a rejuvenating effect on cells and tissues, and assists in joint mobility and range of motion.
Your joint tissues naturally contain both glucosamine and chondroitin. The natural production of chondroitin declines with age, and is also disrupted by stress or injury.
Common Uses
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may helpful in treating:
- Symptoms of arthritis, especially osteoarthritis
- Joint problems, such as joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation
Remember that no health claims for glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have been evaluated by the FDA.
Storage
You should keep both glucosamine and chondroitin supplements in a cool, dry place.
Dosage and Administration
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate supplements come individually in 500-mg tablets or capsules to take three times daily, or as directed on label. They also appear as a combination product, to take as directed by the manufacturer.
If you are taking diuretic medications, you may need a larger amount of the supplements. Talk to your doctor regarding an appropriate dosage.
Since these substances naturally occur in our bodies, they do not seem to interfere with anti-arthritis medications.
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Warnings
If you are taking diuretic medications, you may need a larger amount of the supplements. Talk to your doctor regarding an appropriate dosage.
Side Effects
There appear to be no adverse effects associated with taking glucosamine or chondroitin supplements. You may, however, experience some mild side effects, such as an upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, and indigestion.
If any of these side effects persist, you should talk to your doctor.
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Sources & Further Reading
Books
1. Balch, James, F., P.A. Balch. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing Group, 1997.
2. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. Facts and Comparisons, 1998.
3. Murray, Michael. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
1. Cerrato, PL. "Can these compounds curb arthritis?" RN. 61(4):57-8. Apr, 1998.
2. Edward, M. "Effects of retinoids on glycosaminoglycan synthesis by human skin fibroblasts grown as monolayers and within contracted collagen lattices." Br J Dermatol. 133(2):223-30. Aug, 1995.
3. Heldin, P; Suzuki, M; Teder, P; Pertoft, H. "Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan modulates the permeability of hyaluronan-containing coats around normal human mesothelial cells." J Cell Physiol. 165(1):54-61. Oct, 1995.
4. Kelly, GS. "The role of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfates in the treatment of degenerative joint disease." Altern Med Rev. 3(1):27-39. Feb, 1998.
5. Locci, P; Becchetti, E; Venti, G; Lilli C; Marinucci, L; Donti, E; Paludetti, G; Maurizi, M. "Glycosaminoglycan metabolism in otosclerotic bone cells." Biol Cell. 86(1):73-8. 1996.
6. Lozada, CJ; Altman, RD. "Chondroprotection in osteoarthritis." Bull Rheum Dis. 46(7):5-7. Nov, 1997.
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