Over 30 million people suffer from arthritis or joint inflammation. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. The human body contains over 130 joints and any one of them can be susceptible to osteoarthritis. It typically targets hands, knees, shoulders and hips and elbows. This can cause moderate to severe pain and loss of mobility for people.
It is basically the breaking down of the cartilage between the bones of our joints. This causes the bones to rub together and the result being pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis causes this cartilage to fray, wear down, and in extreme cases disappear totally. This disease impacts our motor ablity. Early warning symptoms can be stiffness in the morning, joint pain after exercise, joint pain during damp weather or constant pain in your joints after normal activity.
WHAT CAN CAUSE OSTEOARTHRITIS?
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known. Some scientists seem to think that it is just part of the normal aging process. Some also believe that genetics come into play. Families can pass on small genetic joint defects that could contribute. Weight may also play a factor. The more weight one carries the more pressure they can put on joints, especially hips and knees. The good news here is that it has been shown that even a small decrease in weight tends to alleviate the condition. It can also be triggered by sports or work related injuries.
HOW CAN GLUCOSAMINE AND CHONDROITIN HELP?
Glucosamine is actually what is called an amino sugar. It is a necessary component for building cartilage and connective tissue. It is a building block of a larger molecule called proteoglycans which with other substances combine to form protective tissue. These large molecules act like a sponge to absorb water and give connective tissue elasticity and cushioning abilities. This is what protects us from wear and tear on our joints. Without glucosamine tissues such as tendons, nails, ligaments and mucous membranes would not be able to form properly.
Normally our bodies produce the needed amount of glucosamine we need to produce the connective tissue and cartilage that we need. However, over time this requirement can change due to things like injuries, burns, age, arthritis and other inflammatory disease. This is when our bodies are not able to produce enough glucosamine, resulting in a decrease in proteoglycans needed to produce cartilage. This reduces the amount of protection that our joints have.
This is the reason researchers started looking at glucosamine supplements. They found that glucosamine taken orally could lead to the production of molecules needed to produce cartilage. Another important discovery that they made is that it does so without the toxicity of drugs like Cox-2 Inhibitors. You should be aware that dietary glucosamine is generally made from shellfish, so anyone with allergies to shellfish should consult their doctor before hand.
Cartilage naturally contains Chondroitin Sulfate. It acts by drawing water to our cartilage giving it elasticity and also slows cartilage breakdown by protecting it from harmful enzymes. The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin act synergistically. In its supplemental form it is derived exclusively from cattle products. This combination of glucosamine and chondroitin has been given in parts of Europe as a prescription drug to maintain joint health for decades now.
There is no clinical evidence that chondroitin can restore formation of cartilage. Studies have shown that it is effective in promoting mobility and relieving pain associated with cartilage loss. It acts to facilitate the entry of glucosamine into the joints. For this reason Glucosamine and Chondroitin should be taken in combination.
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About the Author:
John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He is committed to a healthy lifestyle through natural means. To learn more about the benefits of Glucosamine and Chondroitin we have included additional links at the bottom of the page to help educate you on the subject. Or you can subscribe to our Vitamin and Supplement Blog where you will find information on topics concerning natural supplementation.
