An informative summary of chondroitin sulfate and how it helps with joint pain and sports injuries...
Chondroitin Sulfate
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is found naturally in the body and is one of the critical compounds in connective tissue. It's responsible for building and supporting the substance of cartilage found in joints, cartilage, and connective tissue.
The active form of chondroitin sulfate is chondroitin-4-sulphate and chondroitin-6-sulphate, both found naturally combined with Type II collagen.
CS is also found in the walls of blood vessels. Because CS attracts water, it is an important factor in keeping cartilage fluid and elastic; these are important features of healthy joints. With aging, the water content of cartilage decreases, causing problems in joint mobility. Acute traumatic injury, arthritis, malnutrition, and other conditions can also damage cartilage.
CS is a nutritional supplement that provides support for strong, healthy cartilage and joints.
CS is a glycosaminoglycan that plays a role in the physiology of joint cartilage. Glycosaminoglycans are generally able to inhibit enzymes present in the synovial fluid, which may damage or inflame joint cartilage (elastase, hyaluronidase). CS's role in halting or reversing joint degeneration appears to be due to its ability to act as a substrate for, and to stimulate the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid.
Researchers suggest chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine may have anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to lower mortality. CS has been reported to act synergistically with glucosamine and galactosamine though studies are not conclusive.
Chondroitin Dosage Info
Dosage Range: 200-2,000mg daily.
Most Common Dosage: 600mg, 3 times a day, with meals.
For maintenance: 300mg, 2 to 3 times per day, with meals.
Dosage Forms: Tablets, capsules, and nasal spray.
Absorption of Chondroitin
Absorption happens in the gastrointestinal tract.
Toxicities & Precautions
There is no known toxicity associated with chondroitin sulfate.
Chondroitin Functions in the Body
Cartilage
Repair and maintenance of cartilage/connective tissue.
Inflammation Support
Inhibits enzymes that damage the joint.
Clinical Applications of Using Chondroitin
Osteoarthritis
Chondroitin sulphate has been shown to reduce symptoms of OA over an extended period of use. Chondroitin has also shown positive results when used in combination with glucosamine.
A recent study suggests that chondroitin sulfate could be an effective alternative for treating knee osteoarthritis and psoriasis instead of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which have been reported to induce or exacerbate psoriasis in patients suffering with both health conditions.
Sports Injury
Research in animals suggests CS supplementation may be useful in the healing of joint injuries in athletes.
Snoring
Results of a small placebo-controlled pilot study on snoring using chondroitin sulfate as a nasal spray were encouraging. Seven individuals were evaluated during sleep and the time spent snoring was reduced by a statistically significant percentage.
Symptoms and Causes of Deficiency
Since humans can synthesize CS, there is no deficiency condition directly associated with it. However, endogenous production of CS tends to decrease with age.
Article courtesy of NHI Corporation/NHIonDemand.com.
