1. It Is Better Than Pain Relief
Clinical research indicates certain types of arthritis patients benefit from the cartilage building effects of chondroitin. These studies, conducted on people with osteoarthritis (OA), which is the type of arthritis that makes cartilage break down and eventually deteriorate, show that when taken over a period of time, users notice a difference in their symptoms in about one month. Although this may seem like a long time to wait for relief, it is thought that chondroitin actually reveres the disease process, which is something that no pain relieving drug can do.
2. Take the Team Approach
Common drugs used to treat OA include things as simple as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. While they cannot reverse the process, they can relieve the pain. Using these in conjunction with a chondroitin supplement gives you the best of both worlds. Another thing to consider is that some experts think taking chondroitin and glucosamine combination products is more effective than taking chondroitin alone. However, a study done by the National Institutes of Health was not conclusive on the added benefits of these drugs when combined. Some sufferers with severe OA symptoms found relief, while there was not significant data to support symptom relief in the whole group.
3. You Don't Have to Wrestle a Shark to Get It
If you go looking for chondroitin on food labels, you won't find it. Although it is made from shark or beef cartilage, it's generally not found in food, unless that food is supplemented with chondroitin sulfate. If you'd like to add chondroitin to your diet, it is available in supplement form, generally with glucosamine, and sometimes with other things such as manganese, which is a trace element that you shouldn't take in too large a dose. Read labels and make sure you are not overdosing on any one vitamin or mineral along with your chondroitin.
4. Chondroitin and Some Drugs Don't Mix
Talk to your doctor before starting any medicine or supplement, including chondroitin. Although the risk of side effects is low, it can interact with other medications and is not recommended for people with certain conditions. For instance, if you take blood thinners, chondroitin may increase the effects of your pain medication. In addition, if you take Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for OA, your doctor may recommend a decrease in the NSAIDs dosage, especially if it seems the chondroitin is helping your symptoms.
5. Other Uses for Chondroitin
Some doctors use chondroitin for other conditions such as heart disease with a history of heart attack and certain eye conditions, such as corneal preservation. Although there is no conclusive scientific evidence for chondroitin use in a few of these conditions, some research points to a therapeutic effect. .
