Joint supplements are taken to keep joints healthy and to ease joint pain. Joint pain may result either from chronic medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, or from acute trauma such as a sports injury. Joint supplements may ease the symptoms and possibly aid the healing of the joints. Another option would be to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), but NSAIDs carry an increased risk of side effects such as gastrointestinal complaints and bleeding.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is an amino acid which is naturally produced by the body and is a precursor of glycosaminoglycans, which are a major component of joint cartilage. Glucosamine supplements are marketed to prevent cartilage degeneration and treat arthritis, and the recommended dose is usually 1,500 mg per day. In the April 2005 issue of the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews," a large review of relevant studies concluded that with regards to osteoarthritis, glucosamine may reduce pain and is not associated with any side effects.
Chondroitin
Chondroitin is the main glycosaminoglycan in cartilage and is responsible for the cartilage's resistance to compression. Chondroitin supplementation, usually at a dose of 800 mg per day, may combat inflammation, stimulate synthesis of proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid and decrease the catabolic activity of chondrocytes. In 2007, O. Bruyere and J.Y. Reginster at the University of Liege, Belgium, reviewed the evidence regarding the use of glucosamine salts and chondroitin sulphate for osteoarthritis, and concluded that there is compelling evidence that both glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate may interfere with the progression of osteoarthritis. The evidence is less robust with regards to symptomatic relief and the authors found that glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate alone or in combination did not reduce pain effectively in the overall group of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. However, Bruyere and Reginster suggested that the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate may be effective in the subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain.
Methylsulfonylmethane
Methylsulfonylmethane, MSM, is an organosulfur compound marketed to support healthy ligaments. Compared to glucosamine and chondroitin, few studies have been carried out to investigate MSM supplementation and joint health. A study by P.R. Usha and M.U. Naidu at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences in India, found that MSM is an effective natural analgesic and an anti-inflammatory agent. The researchers concluded that supplementation of MSM in osteoarthritic patients was associated with a decrease in pain and improved functional ability of the joints. Pain reduction was more pronounced when MSN was given in combination with glucosamine. The doses used were 500 mg MSM and 500 mg glucosamine three times per day each.
References
- "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews"; Glucosamine therapy for treating osteoarthritis; Towheed TE et al.; April 2005
- "Drugs & Aging"; Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate as therapeutic agents for knee and hip osteoarthritis; Bruyere O & Reginster JY; July 2007
- "Clinical Drug Investigation"; Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis; Usha PR & Naidu MU; June 2004
