Glucosamine - chondroitin for osteoarthritis

Glucosamine and chondroitin for better joints

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance and it can befound in the shellfish. There are numerous different types of it availableincluding the glucosamine sulfate, n acetyl glucosamine and glucosaminehydrochloride. It may also be obtained in a synthetic form. The human bodyabsorbs it rather well. Chondroitin is another naturally occurring substancewhich can be obtained from natural sources or it can be made synthetically in alab. In chemical terms, chondroitin sulfate is a combination of mineral saltand chondroitin and it is one of many forms of chondroitin available. These twosubstances are actually parts of normal cartilage. For those who do not know,cartilage is a special type of tissue which is basically a cushion betweendifferent bones in each joint. Both of them are available in the form of liquid,powder, capsule or tablet. They may also be purchased in combination with oneanother. They are also sometimes combined with other sorts of dietarysupplements. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are very good for the overallhealth of the joint.

Osteoarthritis and glucosamine and chondroitin

As already explained, the combination of chondroitin andosteoarthritis may be of great help when it comes to the maintenance of overallhealth of the joints. There are also numerous other medical conditions whichmay be attended to by taking these two in a supplemental form. Those who sufferfrom osteoarthritis and other disorders which include inflammatory conditionsof the joints should try using glucosamine and chondroitin for the alleviationof the symptoms. These supplements should never be considered as substitutesfor medications normally prescribed by a doctor, mainly due to the fact thatthey have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for alluses. These two are marketed mostly as herbal supplements. The main problem isthat there are not that many manufacture standards concerning such herbalcompounds. This may lead to the herbal supplements being contaminated withtoxic metals or other drugs during the very process of manufacture. This is whyone should always purchase such supplements only from reliable sources.

Safety Issues

Generally speaking, both chondroitin and glucosamine aresafe for use, alone or in combination. The biggest problem with them is thatmay not be that efficient in all cases. One should always consult a doctorbefore using such supplements, due to numerous reasons and health precautions. Thosewho are allergic to shellfish need to steer clear of all herbal supplementswhich contain glucosamine. One should always inform the doctor about alldietary supplements taken because combinations with chondroitin and glucosaminemay lead to certain medical complications. Women who are pregnant or areplanning to become pregnant should avoid using glucosamine and chondroitin asherbal supplements for the treatment of joint related medical problems becausethey may have some negative effects on the unborn child. Breastfeeding mothersshould also stay away from these types of herbal supplements because they mightpass into the mother’s milk and trigger some negative effects on the baby. Itis also very important to stress out that people who suffer from certain typesof medical conditions such as diabetes, blood clotting disorders and differentsorts of bleeding disorder should not use glucosamine and chondroitin herbalsupplements for the treatment of joint related medical conditions. The same canbe said for those who are on low salt diets. Persons who are overweight alsoneed to steer clear of such herbal supplements. There are a large number ofpeople who suffer from allergies to certain types of drugs, and they need toconsult their doctors before using these supplements. It is of utmostimportance to use glucosamine and chondroitin according to the directions givenby the healthcare provider, or at least follow the directions included on thesupplement label. One should never take the supplements for periods longer thanrecommended by the doctor. It is also strongly recommended never to take thesupplements in amounts larger than those prescribed by the doctor. Those whouse insulin and different types of blood thinners such as warfarin should neverstart using glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of joint related medicalconditions without consulting a healthcare professional first. Certain weightloss products such as chitosan also need to be avoided while using chondroitinand glucosamine for the treatment of osteoarthritis or other joint relatedailments and medical conditions. Glucosamine and chondroitin in theirsupplemental form usually need to be taken 1 to 2 times per day, depending oneach individual case. The first couple of months of treatment usually requirethe patient to take the supplement 3 times per day. As is the case with mostother types of prescription medications, non prescription medications, herbalremedies and all other substances commonly used for the prevention andtreatment of different sorts of ailments and medical conditions, chondroitinand glucosamine may sometimes be associated with certain side effects such asdiarrhea, heartburn, nausea and an upset stomach.