Supplements
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are commonly used to ease joint pain due to arthritis or injury. While they have not proved effective for everyone who suffers chronic joint pain, many consumers have found them helpful, and there is scientific evidence that they can be effective in some circumstances. Since these compounds are present in the body naturally, found in healthy cartilage, most users have no significant side effects from the use of them in supplemental form.
Functions
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is produced by the body to aid in the manufacture and repair of cartilage, which is the fibrous substance that is present in the body's joints, helping to cushion and protect them. Chondroitin is a natural compound found in healthy cartilage also, helping to provide it structure, as well holding water and nutrients essential for the health and proper function of the joints.
Supplements
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are widely promoted as a means to support joint health. Aging can lower the levels of these compounds naturally present in the body, leaving the weight-bearing joints vulnerable to deterioration. These compounds, in supplement form, have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which brought them into popular use as a remedy for joint pain and inflammation. Other claims associated with these supplements are that they can aid in the treatment of osteoarthritis and hasten the healing of joint injuries.
Support
A number of studies have been done to evaluate the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements in the treatment of joint pain. Among these is a study done by the Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, University of Pisa, Italy, which found chondroitin more effective than commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at reducing inflammation in clinical trials done on patients with osteoarthritis. In another study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, long term use of glucosamine supplements were shown to slow the progress of knee osteoarthritis, as well as reducing symptoms, such as pain and inflammation by as much as 20 to 25 percent.
A study funded by The National Institute of Health, known as the GAIT study, results showed that the use of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements in those with moderate to severe arthritis pain proved beneficial, with 70 percent of these participants seeing a 20 percent or greater reduction of pain.
Doubt
While many studies support the use of these compounds in the treatment of joint pain, others have shown results that are not as promising. For instance, the GAIT study results state that participants with mild arthritis pain found little benefit from the use of glucosamine and chondroitin, and a subset of participants who were followed for 18 months after the GAIT trials showed no significant difference in the progression of disease with the use of these supplements.
Cautions
Individuals who are allergic to shellfish may wish to avoid glucosamine supplements that are derived from seafood sources, seeking out those from vegetable sources, such as corn, instead. As of 2009, no formal assesment exists regarding the safety of using these compounds as a dietary supplement for women who are pregnant or nursing. A quite rare, but notable, side effect that is possible when glucosamine and chondroitin are taken in combination is a temporary increase in blood pressure.
Tags: joint pain, chondroitin supplements, glucosamine chondroitin, present body, arthritis pain