Chondroitin

Many people are affected with osteoarthritis today.  And with the increasing number of people who suffer with this ailment, which is basically a painful condition caused by the destruction of the cushioning cartilage between the bones, many experts recommend chondroitin to give them a source of relief.

Chondroitin sulfate is a compound that has the capability to block the enzymes that can ruin the essential cartilage tissue.  The chondroitin is also thought to encourage water retention as well as elasticity especially in the joint cartilage.  These are mainly the main reasons that chondroitin is revered as the best solution for relieving osteoarthritis. 

Chondroitin, according to some clinical trials, is as effective as the aspirin and the other well-known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.  These drugs are specifically bets for relieving pains caused by arthritis, and it then reduce the danger of causing stomach irritation and some other gastric disturbances.

Since the early days of its conception, there are basically few studies on chondroitin.  In fact, there were some doubts about its effectiveness and safety, particularly in the case of taking it orally.  Some of the experts then reserved their decisions on the effectiveness of the chondroitin.  

Until the mid-1990s, many experts have found out that chondroitin is actually well absorbed in the body for about up to 15 percent intact.  After such discovery, so many backup researchers in people who are suffering from osteoarthritis encouraged both the American College of Rheumatology as well as the European League Against Rheumatism to suggest the chondroitin supplement in their publicized guidelines for treating osteoarthritis.

From such discovery and recommendation, the chondroitin supplement is mostly sold along with glucosamine, which is another compound that provides some positive effects to cartilage formation and repair.   There are now some studies that are conducted to hold some findings on the function and further benefits of both chondroitin and glucosamine, for they believed that these compounds really worked better if combined. 

Some of the recent findings demonstrate that chondroitin has really the capabilities for enhancing the joint mobility and slow the cartilage loss.  Such findings, support the claim that chondroitin helps to rebuild cartilage and reduce the joint pain.  However, there is still no exact evidence to show such level of effect when it is applied to other joints such as thumbs, fingers, ankles, and the spine.

It is interesting to know that chondroitin is actually not a major treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, which is a less typical, but more disabling type of arthritis that leads to serious immune dysfunction as well as inflammation, instead of the cartilage wear and tear of osteoarthritis.  However, it is still believed that chondroitin will greatly aid in restoring the stability of the joint, even if it will not be strong enough to repair the cartilage damage.

Chondroitin now comes in the form of tablet, powder, and capsule.  Sometimes it is combined with the glucosamine in the form of supplement.  In fact, it is being sold in various health food outlets along with formulas for arthritis, so other anti-arthritis ingredients such as MSM, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain, boswellia, sea cucumber, manganese, horsetail, and zinc may be included as well.