Glucosamine Chondroitin And Vitamin C

If you have arthritis or pain in your joints, you might be wondering what you can do to stay healthy. Glucosamine chondroitin and vitamin C are popular supplements that may support your joints. However, the Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness, so you should talk to your doctor if you are considering glucosamine chondroitin or vitamin C supplements to make sure they can help you.

Glucosamine Chondroitin

Glucosamine is a component of cartilage, such as that in your knees, and chondrotin is a type of cartilage. The Mayo Clinic states that they are common ingredients in dietary supplements that claim to support joint health and relieve arthritis symptoms. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation may reduce pain in some people who suffer from osteoarthritis, which is the most common kind of arthritis in the United States. However, the evidence does not definitively prove that these supplements are helpful in treating or preventing arthritis, and you should talk to your doctor about maintaining joint health.

Vitamin C

According to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center, vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that your body needs for making collagen for your blood vessels, bones and tendons. A deficiency can cause gum bleeding, slow wound healing and joint pain. The daily value for vitamin C is 60 mg for healthy adults, but higher amounts may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke or cataracts. Many other factors affect your disease risk, so talk to your doctor before taking vitamin C for its potential health benefits.

Recommended Amounts

The Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center recommends getting about 400 mg per day of vitamin C if you are a healthy adult. The tolerable upper level of intake, or the highest amount that is likely safe for healthy adults to take over the long term, is 2,000 mg. The Mayo Clinic states that a daily dose of about 1,500 mg glucosamine and 800 mg chondroitin may be safe for healthy individuals. Ask your doctor for recommendations about dosage and when to take your supplements.

Cautions

Many factors, such as your weight and physical activity, also affect your joint health, so do not rely solely on a glucosamine chondroitin or vitamin C supplements to treat or prevent osteoarthritis. Glucosamine supplements come from shellfish shells, and the Mayo Clinic warns not to take them if you are allergic to shellfish. Side effects from taking glucosamine or chondroitin may include headaches, difficulty breathing and difficulty regulating your blood sugar levels. Get your doctor's approval before taking any dietary supplement to make sure that it is safe and will not interfere with any medications you may be taking.

Glucosamine Chondroitin and Vitamin C