Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements
Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements help people with osteoarthritis manage the condition.
Combined in a single formulation, these cartilage’s structural components are said to cushion tissue joint tissues, hence relieving you from arthritis-related pain. The two components act as natural anti-inflammatories and slow down joint cartilage degeneration.
However, the question remains, do these supplements really work? In this article, we look into the science behind Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements and how they work to increase joint flexibility, mobility, and overall health.
What are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements?
Chondroitin and Glucosamine are naturally occurring compounds found in cartilage. They are also available in supplement form and are usually taken together to reduce osteoarthritis-related pain and manage the symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that occurs as a result of insufficient joint cartilage regeneration, a common condition among the elderly. According to Emily Scott, D.O., C.A.Q.S.M., of Direct Care Physicians of Pittsburgh and a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage and bone degeneration and narrowing of joint space.
Cartilage is a key connective tissue in the body and serves important purposes including protecting and cushioning the bones’ ends, the reason why it’s found within the joints.
Cartilage tends to wear down in old age, causing the bones to rub together. Wearing down of cartilage over time leads to a decrease in joint mobility and flexibility. It mostly affects the hips, knee, spine, and hands, often leading to joint pain, trouble walking, and sometimes disability.
According to a publication in StartPearls Journal 3.6% of the worldwide population living with incapacitating conditions, have either tried or used a combination of chondroitin and glucosamine to manage osteoarthritis pain.
Many arthritis patients, especially those with osteoarthritis combine supplements in their diet to ease arthritis pain, and Chondroitin and Glucosamine are the most popular supplements. Dr. Leah Johansen, M.D., a family medicine physician specializing in functional medicine at LifeForce, an online health optimization platform suggests taking chondroitin and glucosamine due to its potential to inhibit joint deterioration progression and cartilage loss, and alleviate joint pain.
However, like any other supplement, we recommend talking to your doctor first before adding Chondroitin and Glucosamine to your health routine. Consulting with your doctor will help you decide whether or not these supplements for arthritis are right for you.
What Evidence Supports Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements for Arthritic Pain Relief?
A number of studies have been carried out on the efficiency of glucosamine and chondroitin on arthritis pain. A good number of positive results have been noted from these studies, an indication that these two compounds indeed have the potential to treat and manage osteoarthritis
Glucosamine
Glucosamine has been expansively studied and its role in managing osteoarthritis pain determined. A 2018 research analysis comprising 1,625 participants with knee or hip osteoarthritis pain showed improvement after regularly taking supplements with glucosamine. This is according to research published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Another research published in Seminars on Arthritis and Rheumatism showed that overweight women between the age of 50-60 years who took glucosamine supplements had a low risk of knee osteoarthritis compared to those who didn’t use it, making it a great compound for preventing arthritis.
Chondroitin
Chondroitin has also been studied and found to be an ideal remedy for managing osteoarthritis. A 2017 study published in Annals in Rheumatic Diseases investigated the effect of chondroitin on osteoarthritis.
According to the results, the participants with knee osteoarthritis who took chondroitin experienced significant improvement in knee pain. The researchers concluded that chondroitin can be an effective compound for managing osteoarthritis pain.
Another research conducted and published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review sought to find out the effect of chondroitin supplementation on osteoarthritis pain. According to the results, supplementation of chondroitin alone or taken with glucosamine led to a significant reduction in joint pain. The same research found that supplementation of chondroitin led to improved joint function and mobility.
How Do Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements Work to Improve Arthritis?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are cartilage’s structural components, the cushioning tissue found around the joints. Chondroitin supplements are sourced from animal
cartilage while glucosamine supplements are made from vegetables or shellfish cartilage.
Chondroitin and glucosamine have been found to have the potential to alleviate joint pain while impeding cartilage loss and progression of joint deterioration. Most joint supplements contain both glucosamine and chondroitin compounds because of their ability to support joint health. Both chondroitin and glucosamine are considered cartilage building blocks that play the role of cushioning the bones and joints, says Payam Vahedifar M.D., a physician and pain management specialist in the greater Los Angeles area.Chondroitin plays the role of shock absorption, water retention, and joint elasticity. At the same time, you can use chondroitin and glucosamine together to help reduce pain and inflammation and also maintain the joint’s structure and integrity, adds Dr. Vahedifar.
Glucosamine helps the body build connective tissues including cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It works alongside other compounds in the body to improve the health of ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, says Robert Miller, M.D., a Florida-based internal medicine doctor providing physician services for Vista Staffing. Cartilage acts as a bumper around joints and bones but over time as one ages, this bumper begins to rub against each other and it erodes until there is little or no bumper, leading to what experts call osteoarthritis.
If you find yourself in this condition, you may want to do something to improve flexibility and relieve pain, and taking glucosamine supplements may help with this, says Dr. Miller.
These supplements help to increase fluid volume and cartilage mass to slow down or prevent cartilage breakdown while increasing cartilage mass, adds Dr. Miller.
Explore The Best Joint Supplements Made With Glucosamine And Chondroitin
Should I Use Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements for Arthritic Pain Relief
While some studies have concluded that glucosamine may not benefit osteoarthritis patients, a good number of researches have indicated its potential to relieve joint pain and manage other arthritis-related symptoms over time.
Arthritis patients or those individuals trying to get ahead of cartilage degradation (wear and tear) are likely to benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
While research on glucosamine supplements is not yet conclusive, a good number of researches have demonstrated the two compounds’ ability to improve joint pain and slow down cartilage breakdown.
Suggested benefits of chondroitin and glucosamine supplements are largely based on anecdotal evidence from individuals who experienced pain reduction and improved joint flexibility after taking them.
A 2018 meta-analysis published in Forbes Health Journal noted that chondroitin supplementation showed the ability to alleviate pain while also enhancing physical function in osteoarthritis patients. On the other hand, supplementation of glucosamine showed the potential of reducing joint stiffness.
A study involving 318 osteoarthritis adult patients was carried out to investigate the effect of glucosamine supplementation on joint pain as published in Arthritis and Rheumatism. According to the results, participants who took 1,500 mg of glucosamine daily for six months noticed a reduction in joint pain and improvement in joint function.
An independent analysis containing a number of high-quality studies as published in the Cochrane Database of System Reviews concluded that formulation containing glucosamine improved certain measures of joint function and joint pain.
Another two studies involving 200 patients as published in the Archives of Internal Medical and Lancet Journal showed that daily consumption of 1,500 mg of glucosamine for three years improved osteoarthritis’ overall symptoms including joint pain, function, and stiffness.
Risks and Side Effects
Arthritis supplements according to health experts are generally well-tolerated including glucosamine and chondroitin. However, side effects are likely to occur. Research studies published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research and Arthritis Research Therapy have reported that both chondroitin and glucosamine are safe for consumption for most people without causing serious side effects. Research has pointed out only mild side effects like:
- Stomach upset (diarrhea)
- Nausea
- Headache
- Constipation/intestinal gas
However, note that glucosamine is derived mostly from chitin, a compound found in shellfish, making it not suitable for use by those with shellfish allergy. Such individuals may opt for glucosamine made from pigs or cows.
Also, due to the fact that glucosamine is of animal origin, these supplements may not be ideal for use by individuals who are vegan or following a vegetarian diet. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are said to affect blood sugar levels, decrease insulin sensitivity, and interact with anticonvulsant medication such as Warfarin. This is according to a publication in Arthritis Research & Therapy.
So, before using any of these supplements, it is recommended that you first consult with your doctor a healthcare professional to determine whether or not they are suitable for your consumption.
How To Buy Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements for Arthritic Pain Relief?
- Research on the manufacturer: Since glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are not FDA-regulated, it is vital that you read through the product’s label carefully and research the manufacturer of the supplement before making a purchase decision.
- Buy from a reputable brand: Random purchase of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements online increases your chances of buying a fake and potentially harmful product. However, buying directly from a reputable brand’s official website guarantees you a genuine product.
- Determine the quality of the product: Considering the quality of the product you intend to buy is important. You should ensure that the amount of glucosamine in the supplement you intend to buy is the recommended amount to ensure product efficiency and safety.
- Consider buying a third-party certified product: When buying glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, choose those with quality certification from a third-party agency.
- Consider a supplement combining both glucosamine and chondroitin: A recent research published in Forbes Health noted that chondroitin and glucosamine used together are more effective than when it is used individually to treat osteoarthritis.
Dosage and Side Effects
Most glucosamine supplements are consumed in 500-milligram doses, three times daily for osteoarthritis patients. A study published in Clinical Rheumatology and Scientific Reports shows that osteoarthritis symptoms improved after the patients routinely took a dosage of 1,500 mg glucosamine sulfate and 1,200 mg chondroitin sulfate.
However, due to conflicting data on the glucosamine and chondroitin effectiveness, available standard recommendations are currently missing. Also, since glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are not FDA-regulated, there is no established effective dose, says Dr. Miller. It is, therefore, best to first talk to a healthcare professional to provide you with a recommendation tailored to match your health needs.
FAQs
What are Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements?
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are naturally occurring compounds found in cartilage, used in supplement form to reduce osteoarthritis-related pain and manage symptoms.
How do Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements help with arthritis?
These supplements act as natural anti-inflammatories, cushioning joint tissues, slowing down cartilage degeneration, and improving joint flexibility and mobility.
What evidence supports the effectiveness of Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements for arthritis?
Studies have shown that these supplements can reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in osteoarthritis patients, improving overall joint function and mobility.
Are Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements safe to use?
Generally, these supplements are well-tolerated, but may cause mild side effects like stomach upset, nausea, and headaches. People with shellfish allergies should avoid glucosamine from shellfish.
How should I take Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements for best results?
The typical dosage for osteoarthritis is 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate and 1,200 mg of chondroitin sulfate daily, but it is best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Can anyone take Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements?
shellfish allergies, vegans, those with diabetes, and people on anticoagulant medications should consult their doctor before taking these supplements.
What are the potential benefits of Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements?
These supplements can alleviate joint pain, reduce inflammation, improve joint function, and slow cartilage breakdown, potentially enhancing the quality of life for arthritis sufferers.
How do I choose a high-quality Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement?
Look for reputable brands, third-party certification, and supplements combining both glucosamine and chondroitin. Research the manufacturer and ensure the product contains the recommended dosages.
Conclusion
Chondroitin and glucosamine are popular health supplements are popular health supplement for alleviating arthritis-related pain including osteoarthritis joint pain. While the use of glucosamine and chondroitin in treating and managing arthritis-related symptoms remains controversial due to conflicting research, a good number of studies have noted their potential to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints.
The supplements appear to be well-tolerated by most users and their safety has also been noted except for vegans, those allergic to shellfish, diabetic patients those with metabolic disorders, or those on anticoagulant medications.
If you are considering adding glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to your health routine, it is recommended that you first speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional to help you determine if the supplements are right or safe for your use.