10-04-2001

Americans and Europeans are turning to natural glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate because of their widely reported joint supporting benefits. These complementary therapies have gained the increased credibility of the once skeptical medical community. At the end of the year 2000, the National Institutes of Health embarked on a $10 million, 1,500 patient multi-year study to determine how these two supplements impact those suffering from joint pain, stiffness and inflammation.

New Rigorous Research Supports glucosamine sulfate

Osteoarthritis literally means “degenerative joint disease.” It affects more than 16 million Americans and is the most common form of arthritis. After the age of 45 it occurs ten times more commonly in women than men. Current treatments include medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in severe cases, joint replacement surgery.

The prestigious medical journal The Lancet published a research paper that investigated the long-term effects of glucosamine sulfate over a three year period. This double-blind placebo-controlled study tested the effectiveness of a daily dose of 1500mg of glucosamine sulfate compared to placebo. The results were published in January, 2001.

In addition to symptomatic improvement, radiographic images of the patients’ knees also showed improvements. Images showed that knee damage was reduced with glucosamine sulfate use.

This study confirms many earlier studies that yielded positive results, such as a study in May, 2000, conducted by Jean-Yves Reginister, MD, PhD, whose findings showed that patients taking glucosamine had far greater improvements in joint health than those who went without it.

Decreasing Fibromyalgia Symptoms with Glucosamine

A study conducted by the Vulvodynia Project, a research group run by the non-profit Vulvar Pain Foundation in North Carolina, showed glucosamine to be beneficial to female Fibromyalgia patients. It increases the texture and health of the skin, which in turn could reduce the extreme sensitivity experienced in the vulva and other parts of the body. Results show that 65% of female FM patients in the study, had improved pain relief as a result of glucosamine sulfate supplementation.

Glucosamine sulfate – for joint elasticity and longevity

Glucosamine is the basic building block of cartilage, joint fluid and other connective tissue.

The main function of glucosamine on joints is to stimulate the manufacture of molecules known as glycosaminoglycans, key structural components of cartilage. If sufficient levels of glucosamine are not available in the body, the cartilage loses its ability to effectively regenerate itself and act as the joint’s shock absorber.

Chondroitin Sulfate – hydration for joint mobility

Chondroitin sulfate another immensely popular nutritional aid in the joint health category, provides the structural components of the cartilage found in the joints. It ensures the necessary hydration and material for joint mobility. Since cartilage does not have blood vessels to supply nutrients, chondroitin sulfate serves as the conduit for these nutrients to flow through the cartilage.

Several double-blind placebo-controlled studies have investigated the effect of chondroitin sulfate. In one study, [Busci and Poor, 1998], 85 people with osteoarthritis of the knee received either 400mg of chondroitin sulfate twice daily or placebo, for six months. The intensity of daily joint pain was assessed, as well as the time to walk 20 meters, and other standard clinical pain indicators were used.

Statistically significant differences in favor of the treatment group, compared to the control group, were seen in most measures of pain assessment. At six months, physicians rated the improvement as good or very good in 69% of those taking chondroitin sulfate, but in only 32% of those taking placebo.

Published research continues to demonstrate why glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate have become two of the nation’s most popular selling nutritional supplements. The recommended daily dosage for this combination is 1500mg of glucosamine sulfate and 1200mg of chondroitin sulfate. It is important to look for the sulfate form as this is the most readily absorbable by the body, and is the form used in scientific research studies. The benefits take about three to six months to notice but apparently, it is well worth the wait. HW