Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause chronic pain and swelling of the joints that can be disabling in severe cases. Supplements such as glucosamine chondroitin can help to replace the natural components of the joints that are lost due to damage and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. This supplement may also help decrease symptoms in other autoimmune diseases, however, these benefits are currently under ongoing research. Consult your doctor before you add glucosamine chondroitin to your treatment regimen.
Description
Glucosamine, a naturally produced substance, plays a key role in forming cartilage, the tough connective tissue that stabilizes the joints of your body. Chondroitin sulfate is also a natural compound in the body that helps the protective joint cartilage retain water. Glucosamine is an amino sugar while chondroiton sulphate is a complex carbohydrate. In the U.S., these two natural building blocks are combined as glucosamine chondroitin supplements that are sold for improving and protecting joint health.
Autoimmune Uses
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can be progressive and disabling. This disorder causes the immune system to attack your body's own joints resulting in pain, inflammation, swelling and damage to cartilage and bone of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly afflicts the hands, feet and wrists but can affect any joint in your body. It is a systemic disease, meaning that it can also affect the internal organs and other areas of your body such as the eyes, heart and lungs. Glucosamine chondroitin supplements may help reduce the progression of cartilage loss, inflammation, swelling and pain in the joints, though these effects are not yet clinically determined.
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that other autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are inflammatory bowel diseases may also respond to glucosamine treatment. The Center notes that this is particularly helpful in improving symptoms of these diseases in children who have not shown improvement with conventional treatment. However, this research is ongoing and not yet determined.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis causes several symptoms that can confused with osteoarthritis, another type of arthritis that occurs due to wear and tear and injury to the joints and is not an autoimmune disease. Symptoms include pain, joint swelling, fatigue, morning joint stiffness, loss of weight and flu-like symptoms. A blood test can differentiate between the two types of arthritis.
Dosage
It is important to take the correct dosages of glucosamine chondroitin for autoimmune disorder. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises taking 500 mg of glucosamine, three times for 30 to 90 days to decrease the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. A once daily dose of 1,500 mg may also be used. Your treatment plan may include taking glucosamine chondroitin supplements on a long-term basis to manage pain and inflammation. Consult your doctor before beginning supplement therapy.
References
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society: What is RA?
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Questions and Answers: NIH Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial Primary Study
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Glucosamine
- Arthritis Foundation: Good News for Knees
- The University of Maryland Medical Center: Glucosamine
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