popularly some 20 million Americans...

popularly some 20 million Americans stiffer from osteoarthritis (OA), a painful condition caused by means of a weakening of articular cartilage--a protective substance attached to the conclusions of bones that prevents them from rubbing together. Although over-the-counter and prescription medications can provide a certain quantity of relief from osteoarthritis pain, they can't remedial treatment the disease. The good novels however, is that two dietary supplements--glucosamine and chondroitin--have shown great promise not single in treating joint pain, moreover also in halting cartilage los in OA sufferers

Supplemental glucosamine is derived mainly from crab shells and chondroitin is derived from abash fish or pork cartilage, nevertheless both substances also are produc in small amounts on our cartilage cells. In fact, they're fundamental note components to the structure of articular cartilage.

Sold as put drugs intos in many European countries, glucosamine and chondroitin have undergone clinical trials and safety studies by dint of each country's pharmaceutical governing agency. Studies display that both supplements: (1) are absorbed when taken orally; (2) benefit cartilage by dint of several means; (3) decrease pain and improve joint function when compared with placebo or traditional drugs; (4) are safe for long-term use in humans; and (5) point out a proven halting of cartilage los in OA sufferers

This last point has raised the biggest stir in the arthritis community, as glucosamine and chondroitin are the first substances known to actually help modify the disease condition. pair studies published in 1998 in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage documented significant benefit for chondroitin across placebo for knee and hand OA. sum of two units larger glucosamine studies followed in 1999 and 2000 in the journals Lancet and Arthritis & Rheumatism. In 2001 a landmark studious mood published in Clinical Orthopedic Related Research showed that combining the fill ups works better than either united alone at preventing cartilage damage.

Taking the one and the other supplements orally, in daily doses of 1500 mg for glucosamine and 1200 mg for chondroitin, has been shown to help relieve pain and improve function in arthritic joints as well as--or better than--any pharmaceutical returns they've been studied against.

further the supplements do more than sway pain. Studies show that they actually increase production of cartilage ingredients decrease enzymes that break down cartilage, impede cartilage from fraying--an early degree in the OA process--and act as cartilage antioxidants. And chondroitin has additionally been shown to increase production of hyaluronic acid, which helps make joint friction and shock. This is with what intent many doctors recommend glucosamine and chondroitin to all OA patients--even the the same in every four that doesn't experience pain relief when taking the supplements

Thus far, no medication interactions with glucosamine and chondroitin have been reported, however about five to 10 percent of family using the supplements experience tip over stomach, gas or bloating, symptoms similar to those caused from placebo in controlled studies.

Additionally, no increases in line sugar levels have been reported after long-term use. About common in 20 people allergic to shellfish can display signs of allergy to glucosamine, equable though glucosamine is derived from the shells, not the meaty portion of crab, which is responsible for greatest in quantity allergies.

The appendixs haven't been studied in children or pregnant or nursing women in the way that use in these groups is cautioned. Additionally, age and severity of osteoarthritis aren't reasons to avoid the correlatives In fact, glucosamine and chondroitin have proven to be far safer than traditional remedys or pain relievers in each case.

| fast facts | glucosamine and chondroitin

* Glucosamine and chondroitin are the merely known substances that have been shown to halt cartilage los in osteoarthritis sufferers

* Combining glucosamine and chondroitin--in daily doses of 1500 mg and 1200 mg respectively--works better than using either single in kind alone at halting cartilage loss

* Glucosamine and chondroitin can be set up on the market in tablet, capsule, liquid and chew forms. None of these forms has been shown to be absorbed or utilized better than another despite an marketing claims.

Jason Theodosakis, MD is common of the world's leading osteoarthritis specialists and author of The Arthritis method of treatment He tracks glucosamine studies and side forces on his Web site (www.drtheo.com).

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