Glucosamine Chondroitin

[AndrewH]

I did a search on this, and haven't really found what I'm looking for..

SO, has anyone taken glucosamine chondroitin and found that it was beneficial? Being 16, it's sad to say that my joints are the equivalent to my father's, who is turning the bend to being 50.

I was a gymnast for eight years, so they took a good beating, and thus being the end of my career there. Also, my genes aren't exceptionally awesome. Now, it's not unordinary to have my patella subluxate daily. By doing a flip, or after a nice run...POP, its out..

Braces are nice, I know, and I use them. I was just wondering if anyone has anything to say on the outcome they have had while taking glucosamine chondroitin. Gracias

[.V.]

I've never actually used it. But I've discussed it with a physician (a real MD) who also does naturopathic medicine. He said it has about the same anti-inflammatory properties as motrin (ibuprofen). Therefore symptomatic relief of joint problems. The benefit of it is that it doesn't have the same nephrotoxic effects as motrin...WON'T KILL YOUR KIDNEYS AS FAST.

[booze]

ive taken my fair share of glucosamine for a bad neck joint injury which wont go.....and it has helped a great deal and i will continue to take it.
i dont know what glucosamine chondroitin is......ive only every heard of glucosamine.
if thats what your talking about, i do reccommend it

[.V.]

glucosanine chondroitin is how glucosamine is usually sold in the stores. You guys are talking about pretty much the same stuff.

Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed to play a role in cartilage formation and repair.

Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives cartilage elasticity.

Both are extracted from animal tissue.

The amount used in studies of glucosamine was 1,500 mg per day and chondroitin sulfate, 1,200 mg per day. It can take up to two months to get relief by using these supplements.

[rbuchman]

MSM figures in there somewhere too.

It's cheap and I think it does a little, I (23yrs old 200lbs) started taking it a few years ago when I was training for a marathon and it seemed to help.

If you have that much trouble you should probably consult a physical therapist or if it starts to interfer with daily activities (i.e. walking not back flips) a orthapedic surgeon.

[F_Mac]

Currently, I take a stack of Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulphate, and MSM. I've been using it for about 4 months now and I can definitely say that it's beneficial. Used to get bad pain in my shoulder when doing heavy bench (from a dislocation several years ago) and now the pain is barely noticable....although still present. My knees also don't grind and pop nearly as badly as they used to.

If you're lifting heavy weights, a joint compound is a MUST, imo.

[Maxgain]

Glucosamine
SUMMARY OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE:

• 1. CUTANEOUS AGING: Oral glucosamine with a mixture of antioxidants decreased the number of wrinkles in a small trial.
• 2. OSTEOARTHRITIS: Multiple short-term studies have demonstrated reductions in pain scores and radiographic improvement for patients with osteoarthritis supplemented with glucosamine.
• 3. PAIN, KNEE: A small trial of patients with unspecified knee pain demonstrated reduction in pain but minimal improvement in clinical and functional tests.
• 4. TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER: A combination glucosamine and chondroitin supplement decreased the sounds associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and a reduction of over-the- counter medication required for pain relief.

Chondroitin

cataract extraction
corneal preservation for transplantation
coronary heart disease (inconclusive)
dry eyes (effective)
interstitial cystitis (possibly effective)
osteoarthritis (effective)
snoring (inconclusive)
temporomandibular joint disorder (possibly effective)

MSM

MSM's efficacy appears to rest primarily on its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Muscle spasm, improved blood flow, and a reduction in scar tissue formation appear to be enhanced with MSM

Drs. SW Jacob and RM Lawrence have each conducted controlled clinical studies of MSM treatment for arthritis patients. Dr. Jacob's study involved 12 patients and compared Motrin (R), a nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drug, to MSM. Patients were randomly assigned to take 600 milligrams of Motrin (R) or 6 grams of MSM daily. After one month subjects in both groups reported similar pain relief. Sixteen patients with arthritis in Dr. Lawrence's double-blind study were assigned a placebo or MSM 750 milligrams three times daily. Pain relief was more effective with MSM than placebo. Drs. Jacob and Lawrence also report case examples of patient-reported relief for non-migraine headache, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, asthma, sinusitis, pollen allergies, lupus erythematosus, interstitial cystitis, and scleroderma.

[CF-OC_gal]

The sports medicine doc I saw a couple of years ago who diagnosed my ankle arthritis said to take it if I wanted to but there is no conclusive evidence that it helps all people.

He said:

Glucosamine helpes some people but for most it takes about 2 months to tell if it works. Chondroitin is supposed to promote new cartilage growth but there has been no meidcal proof that it does and it is expensive.

I take glucosamine only. it isn't perfect but it seems to lessen the pain sensitivity for me which is all I really care about.

[abear]

i've been using glucosamine only for years. the difference in my knees is like night and day when using it vs not using it.

[AndrewH]

awesome, i shall go out and buy some as soon as I can get some cash. Thanks again ya'll

[AndrewH]

sorry i put this in the wrong place.. I thought it was FOR your health, as are all supplements. Whoopsies