Glucosamine Crondroitin Info
The problem of osteoarthritis affects a majority of the American population. Osteoarthritis occurs when articular cartilage is damaged or eroded. Up until this time, there has been no known way to reverse this articular cartilage damage and only limited ways to delay this damage.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are both basic constituents of articular cartilage. Many researchers and recently major publications recommended the use of Glucosamine orally in the treatment of the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine does appear to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect that causes a reduction in pain. Several studies have found Glucosamine to be better than ibuprofen (Advil) and placebo in the reduction of pain. All studies on Glucosamine have demonstrated fewer side affects than anti-inflammatories. Unfortunately however, there is at this point, no medical evidence that Glucosamine taken orally can reduce or repair articular surface damage. In fact, in the majority of animal models studied, Glucosamine is not as effective in reducing inflammation as many of the newer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and specifically indomethacin (Indocin).
Glucosamine is sold over the counter in the United States as a dietary supplement and is often combined with chondroitin sulfate. Generic forms of this supplement can be purchased for approximately $35 for a month-long supply when taken twice a day. Some suppliers recommend the dosage be increased to 3-4 times per day when the pain is severe. The addition of chondroitin sulfate to Glucosamine does increase the cost and does appear to positively affect its benefits.
In summary, Glucosamine with or without chondroitin sulfate does appear to have some affect on the inflammatory response caused by arthritic degeneration in joints and specifically in knees. This positive effect occurs in approximately 80% of people who take it for at least 2 months. Unfortunately from a medical viewpoint, Glucosamine has not been shown to slow or repair articular cartilage degenerative changes. For this reason, no specific recommendation for the use of Glucosamine with or without chondroitin sulfate can be made. It should be noted however, that there is no known side effects to taking this dietary supplement and therefore there appears to be no contraindication to trying it on an individual basis.