02-26-2004, 06:45 PM
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#2
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Uber-Moderator!!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Posts: 5,020
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I checked Supplementwatch.com and here's what they say:
Quote:
Supplement - Chondroitin Sulfate
Description - Chondroitin sulfate falls into a category of compounds known as “glycosaminoglycans” – basically a long chain of specialized polysaccharides (or sugars). In the body, chondroitin is used as a building block for larger structures known as proteoglycans – which are in turn used to form connective tissues such as cartilage. Chondroitin is related in structure and function to another sugar derivative, glucosamine, both of which are widely used as dietary supplements to nourish joint cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate is not found in the diet in appreciable amounts - the primary source being animal cartilage (such as the trachea of cows).
Claims - Alleviates joint pain associated with osteoarthritis; Reduces inflammation
Theory - For many years, critics of chondroitin sulfate (CS) use for treating arthritis argued that the large size of the CS molecule would prevent it from being absorbed into the body. We now know, however, that as much as 10-20% of the CS is absorbed intact (and perhaps substantially more for the newer low-molecular-weight chondroitin), while the remaining percentage is likely digested and absorbed as its component parts. The theory behind the use of CS to treat osteoarthritis involves two primary concepts. The first, and most basic, is that CS simply provides the raw material (“building blocks”) that cartilage needs to repair itself. The second theory is that CS may block the activity of enzymes that break down cartilage – an activity that may yield benefits in reducing inflammation and protecting cartilage from further damage.
Scientific Support - Until recently, the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of chondroitin sulfate in alleviating joint pain has been relatively week. In several small studies, there has been some evidence for a reduction in joint pain – but several other studies have found no clear benefits. Just this past year, however, separate groups researchers have performed “meta-analyses” of all studies using CS to treat osteoarthritis. This type of statistical analysis gathers the evidence from the available research studies and looks at them together – allowing researchers to combine several small studies into one large analysis and providing scientists with more “power” (a statistical term) to determine whether an actual beneficial effect exists for a treatment or not). Both research groups found that over the course of approximately 4 months of treatment, CS was significantly superior to placebo in relieving joint pain and that patients taking CS showed improvements of at least 50% in measurements such as pain level, joint stiffness and walking speed. In other smaller studies, CS also appears to slow the progression of cartilage degradation in the knee joint – an effect measured by a stabilization of the medial femoro-tibial (knee) joint width.
Safety - Aside from some mild gastrointestinal complaints (heartburn and nausea), chondroitin sulfate has not been associated with any serious adverse side effects.
Value - Now that a bit more is known about the effectiveness of chondroitin sulfate, it appears that the supplements can indeed result in a reduction in the pain associated with osteoarthritis (following about 2-4 months of treatment). Because the scientific data is also quite strong for the effectiveness of glucosamine in alleviating joint pain, it may be wise to select chondroitin supplements that also include the effective dose of glucosamine (1500mg/day) as well. The key practical consideration for selecting a chondroitin supplement, however, is quality control – a problem that is widespread in the supplement industry. One study conducted at the University of Maryland found that at least half of the commercially available chondroitin supplements failed to supply the labeled amount of the ingredient – and some provided almost zero chondroitin. Perhaps the best-substantiated chondroitin supplement is Cosamin from NutraMax Labs (which also provides glucosamine) because it has been used extensively in pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Dosage - The typical recommendation for chondroitin supplementation is 1200mg per day. Although the daily dose is frequently supplied in divided doses of 400mg (taken 3 times per day) or 600mg (taken twice per day), taking the entire 1200mg in one dose appears to be just as effective in alleviating joint pain. A large number of dietary supplements combine chondroitin with glucosamine – but it is still not known whether this combination of ingredients is any better than either supplement on its own.
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Glucosamine an Chondroitin
