Glucosamine and Chondroitin - Effective Joint Pain Relief Due to Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis that causes the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage between the bones and joints. This debilitating condition causes pain to over 20 million people in the United States. Primary osteoarthritis is commonly related to the aging process. Other causes include genetic factors, weight, and sports/work trauma.

The cartilage degenerates due to the increase in water content and a decrease in protein. Loss of cartilage, the protective cushion between joints, results in pain, swelling, inflammation, and the loss of mobility.

Glucosamine is a natural sugar that is produced by the body. It is also found in certain foods. Notably, this natural sugar has a significant function in the production, maintenance and repair of cartilage. Glucosamine stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans (two vital building blocks of cartilage).

Chondroitin Sulfate is also a crucial element in the creation of cartilage. (One source of chondroitin sulfate is shark cartilage and shell fish. It is important to consult a health care professional before taking this product if you have shellfish allergies.) The chondroitin sulfate attracts fluids which assists you in three ways:

It draws nutrients into your cartilage
It increases the flow of fluid into the cartilage to add resiliency
It acts to block enzymes that destroy cartilage

The glucosamine is believed to promote the formation and repair of cartilage while chondroitin is thought to promote water retention and elasticity in cartilage as well as inhibit enzymes that breakdown the cartilage. Therefore, use of glucosamine and chondrotin taken together over the course of several weeks is effective in soothing aching joints, maintaining joint flexibility, reducing inflammation, improving mobility and assisting in rehabilitation of damaged cartilage.

Several studies have shown that glucosamine and chondroitin are effective in reducing the pain of osteoarthritis. Taken in a liquid form, it has an 80% to 85% absorption rate. This creates maximum bioavailability and fast relief. There have been no reports of serious side effects that are usually associated with Cox-11 inhibitors.