With age, human articular and cartilaginous tissues lose their former elasticity, lose their functionality and are destroyed. Such changes can be delayed with the help of a number of drugs. Glucosamine chondroitin is a remedy that helps maintain the functionality of cartilage and joints, relieve symptoms of developing diseases of the musculoskeletal system and improve the quality of life of older people.
What are glucosamine and chondroitin?
Let's figure out what monosaccharides such as chondroitin and glucosamine are. There is such a thing as chondroitin sulfate. This substance is an essential component of cartilage tissue, which it produces independently. The compound is part of the synovial fluid that fills the joint capsule. These facts indicate that the full functioning of the joints depends on the presence of chondroitin.
Glucosamine acts as a building base for chondroitin and joint fluid. Its deficiency provokes a deficiency of chondroitin sulfate in cartilage tissues. The consequence of this may be the appearance of pain and crunching in the joints.
How does glucosamine work in the body?
Active glucosamine from the intestines enters the blood vessels and then into the cartilage. Its main task is to maintain chondrocyte function. Chondrocytes are special cells that work like mini factories. They produce building material for cartilage: collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and other important substances.
Therefore, adding glucosamine to the diet helps activate our internal “building factories” that restore cartilage joints, thereby relieving us of joint pain.
What is the difference between glucosamine and chondroitin?
One of the questions that people face before using drugs is what is the difference between glucosamine and chondroitin? These substances have the same structure. It is important to know that glucosamine is an essential component of chondroitin, which complements it and enhances its properties. The combination of these substances makes it possible to improve their absorption, provide effective protection and active restoration of cartilage. Most chondoprotectors are drugs consisting only of these components. There are also products in which chondroitin and glucosamine complement the composition.
Chondroprotectors
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Many people with arthritis (especially osteoarthritis) take supplements to relieve pain. The most famous of them are glucosamine and chondroitin. Another supplement that can help relieve arthritis pain is methylsulfonylmethane (MSM).
Before starting to take any dietary supplement, it is extremely important to consult your doctor. He will review the list of other medications you are taking and help determine how effective a particular supplement will be in your case. In addition, you should always strictly adhere to the instructions for use indicated on the packaging and do not exceed the recommended dosage.
What are glucosamine and chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates are essential components of healthy cartilage. In the human body, they act as building blocks and stimulate the body's production of cartilage tissue. Chondroitin sulfate is also an important structural component of cartilage and provides its resistance to pressure (load).
The largest study regarding glucosamine and chondroitin was conducted in the USA with the participation of 1583 respondents. From his results it followed that only the combination of glucosamine + chondroitin had a significant effect on improving the condition of cartilage tissue, while taking chondroitin or glucosamine alone did not have much effect. An important clarification: it was glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate that proved their effectiveness, and not hydrochloride.
Chondroprotective supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin are safe and well tolerated by the body. Today they are classified not as medicines, but as dietary supplements and are widely distributed on the market. Many doctors prescribe the combination of glucosamine + chondroitin to patients with joint pain.
Which supplement manufacturers should you purchase?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are produced by many companies. To be sure of the effectiveness of the drug, give preference to well-known and already proven manufacturers.
Before you buy a product from an unfamiliar brand, check its reputation online. Find out how long the company has been on the market and check with the seller how long he has been purchasing products from this brand.
Who should not take these supplements?
Diabetics should be vigilant when consuming glucosamine as it may increase blood sugar levels.
People taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) should consult a doctor before consuming glucosamine and chondroitin. The fact is that both of these substances themselves can thin the blood, so their simultaneous use in combination with anticoagulants may require more frequent blood tests.
Having a shellfish allergy also requires prior consultation with your doctor, since glucosamine is derived from these creatures.
The effect of these supplements on a growing or developing organism has not yet been studied. For this reason, chondroitin and glucosamine are not recommended for children, as well as women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or wishing to become pregnant.
What are the side effects of glucosamine and chondroitin?
As a rule, these nutritional supplements are well tolerated by the body. Side effects are extremely rare. Here are the most common of them:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Heartburn
- Bloating
What is methylsulfonylmethane, and how effective is it for arthritis?
Methylsulfonylmethane is a supplement that is used to relieve symptoms of a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, allergies, and even snoring.
Methylsulfonylmethane is a natural, tasteless and odorless sulfur compound found in all living organisms. Sulfur is needed by the body for the normal production of connective tissue and joint function. It also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Methylsulfonylmethane is found in many foods, including meat, fish, certain fruits, vegetables and grains. However, heat treatment destroys this substance. Methylsulfonylmethane supplements have become particularly popular in recent years, and many people who have tried it have reported significant relief from arthritis pain. Methylsulfonylmethane also reduces muscle damage during exercise and reduces pain after it, and alleviates respiratory symptoms of allergies caused by pollen.
Before starting to use methylsulfonylmethane, you should consult your doctor, especially people who simultaneously suffer from several diseases. In this case, it is necessary to understand that using supplements while taking prescription drugs may interfere with the effect of the latter. Moreover, it should be taken into account that many supplements have not yet been studied, therefore, their effectiveness and safety remain in question.
What are the side effects of methylsulfonylmethane?
Methylsulfonylmethane is considered an extremely safe substance, so complications from its use are extremely rare. Reported but very rare side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Fatigue
Properties, benefits and role for the human body
Speaking about why glucosamine chondroitin is taken, it is worth turning to the research of scientists. With long-term therapy with drugs that include this compound, pain relief in gonarthrosis in elderly patients is noted. Their quality of life improves as their joints become more functional. The need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in this case is reduced (). The properties of glucosamine chondroitin allow the drugs they contain to perform the following functions:
- ensuring the regeneration of failed and damaged tissues;
- support of the process of cellular nutrition;
- prevention of the formation of age spots;
- fight against inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract;
- preservation of tissue structure at the molecular level;
- preventing the appearance of vascular plaques.
Observations by scientists have led to the conclusion that glucosamine chondroitin is effective as a remedy against osteoarthritis. Its mechanism of action is based on triggering the active production of proteoglycans that have a healthy structure. The benefit of glucosamine chondroitin is that it prevents the destruction of cartilage tissue by inhibiting the activity of matrix metalloproteinase. This compound also helps prevent the spread of inflammatory processes ().
Preparations with glucosamine: indications for use
Glucosamine for joints is taken both for prevention and directly for the treatment of diseases. First of all, it is responsible for the high-quality restoration of cartilage, and as a result, it relieves moderate and mild joint pain.
Taking medications with glucosamine restores cartilage tissue
What diseases does glucosamine help with?
- Osteoarthritis of joints (ankle, knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, wrist, jaw).
- Osteochondrosis (cervical, thoracic, lumbar).
- Arthritis (rheumatoid, reactive, gouty, traumatic and others).
Doctors recommend additional sources of glucosamine:
- Overweight people. Excess weight creates additional stress on the joint capsules.
- Sedentary people.
- People with an active lifestyle, which is accompanied by heavy physical activity. These could be professional athletes, loaders or miners. Relevant for extreme sports enthusiasts, travelers and those who regularly visit the gym.
People over 35 years of age and strict vegetarians, whose diet lacks sources of glucosamine, are especially deficient in the substance. The risk group also includes patients who have been diagnosed with joint diseases of an infectious autoimmune nature. Timely prevention helps to avoid the destruction of cartilage tissue, which means keeping joints healthy and mobile.
Indications for use and instructions for use
According to the instructions for use, glucosamine chondroitin is prescribed in case of diagnosis of osteoarthritis, tendinitis, osteoarthritis and discosis. It is recommended to use drugs with this compound for people prone to injuries, such as dislocations and fractures. Glucosamine chondroitin should be used by people who engage in weightlifting, powerlifting or bodybuilding. Their body is subject to great physical stress, after which it needs help in recovery.
Popular release forms
Glucosamine chondroitin is available in the form of external and internal use. These can be creams, ointments, capsules, tablets and powders. Products for external use do not always give the expected results and do not act as quickly as drugs that need to be taken. Tablets may be slightly less effective than capsules because some of the active ingredient dissolves on the way to the intestines, causing it to lose its benefit. In addition, the tablet form of the drug can cause intestinal irritation. Capsules are more effective and safe. They do not contain additional components that provoke adverse reactions from the gastrointestinal tract, and deliver the active substance intact to the stomach, through the walls of which it is completely absorbed into the bloodstream. Powders are more convenient to use if it is difficult to swallow tablets or capsules.
Artracam is a working drug with glucosamine!
Artracam is a drug that belongs to the group of chondroprotectors.
The drug with glucosamine is designed for the long term - Artracam slowly but surely restores mobility by accumulating in the body. It affects all joints at once, relieves symptoms (pain and swelling), and has a direct effect on cartilage regeneration. The powder has a neutral taste, consists of glucosamine sulfate sodium chloride and glucosamine sulfate, made from natural raw materials. It can be combined with chondroitin.
To achieve lasting and maximum results, it is advisable to take it in courses (1 course = 6 weeks). If necessary, taking glucosamine for joints is combined with NSAIDs, physiotherapy, exercise therapy (physical therapy), and proper nutrition.
Artracam is an effective and safe drug
with glucosamine, which is enough to take once a day so that the joints work properly, and most importantly... painlessly!
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How to drink glucosamine chondroitin: norm per day, dosage
Glucosamine chondroitin is a drug with a cumulative effect, which is why the duration of its use can be up to 12 months, depending on the clinical picture. Athletes are recommended to drink 1500 mg of the drug in 2 or 3 doses. The maximum daily dose of glucosamine and chondroitin for humans is 2000 mg. The drug is started to be taken in a small amount equal to 400 mg, increasing the dosage according to the dosage regimen. It is drunk during or after meals, since the effect of the active substance slows down on an empty stomach.
Contraindications and side effects
Do not take the drug if you are hypersensitive, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Contraindications to the use of glucosamine chondroitin are also:
- minor age;
- blood clotting disorder;
- diagnosing diabetes mellitus;
- presence of asthma or hypotension;
- disruption of vascular function, including thrombus formation.
When talking about whether glucosamine chondroitin is effective, it is worth taking into account the cumulative effect of the drugs. In order for the therapy to bring results, you need to take the drug for at least 6 months. Thorough research helped determine how safe long-term use of the drugs is. It is noted that effective relief of pain and restoration of joint functionality is observed both while taking the drugs without breaks, and when they are used in courses of 3 months with breaks of the same duration. Side effects of glucosamine chondroitin have been observed in isolated cases. These include abdominal pain after discontinuation of use and a papular rash during use (). In some cases, drugs can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
