Chondroitin – Friend for your joints! Benefits and Proven Facts

Chondroitin, or as it is more common – chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan, which in the form of proteoglycan is one of the most important components of connective tissue (tendons and joints). It is made up of repeating units of D-galactosamine and D-glucuronic acid.

How is it produced / isolated?

It is industrially extracted from two main sources – shark cartilage and bovine tendons.

Basic physiological effects

Chondroitin prevents water and nutrients from entering inflamed tendons and joints. At the same time, it leaks other substances into the connective tissue. This is a very important property, because in general the connective tissue does not have a good blood supply. As a result of the action of chondroitin, the healing of diseased joints and tendons becomes much faster. Chondroitin and similar substances are also concentrated in the walls of the bladder and blood vessels. Here their task is to prevent the blood from flowing out of the blood vessels and the urine out of the bladder.

What are the optimal doses?

In atherosclerosis, large doses are used (about 10 grams per day, taken twice with meals). After a few months of treatment, the dose is reduced to 1.5 g, taken 3 times. In the treatment of arthritis, the dose used is 1.2 grams per day, divided into 3 doses. Chondroitin is often combined with glycosamine, which has a similar effect. It is often taken together with vitamin C.

Because it is produced in the body, it is redundant in large doses in the absence of inflammation. Bodybuilders can take preparations based on chondroitin prophylactically, the dose is not more than 1 gram per day. In the presence of inflammation, the required amount is 1.2 – 1.5 grams per day. It is best to take it with food.

Possible harmful / side effects

In general, chondroitin is a harmless and non-toxic preparation. Adverse side effects are observed only at very high doses (over 10 grams per day). It may then cause nausea and vomiting. No other side effects of the preparation were found.

Which drugs are the main source of chondroitin?

Chondroitin is included in the preparations in the form of chondroitin sulfate. The preparations containing it accelerate the recovery of the joints and the immune system. They can be both stand-alone (containing only chondroitin sulfate) and complex (in addition to chondroitin, they can contain glucosamine– a substance with similar effects, and vitamins).

The preparations are most often sold in tablets, with a chonoitin content of 500 to 1,000 mg. The stand-alone preparations are usually called “Chonditin sulphate”. You can find such preparations in the centers for sports and diet food in the country, in some gyms and pharmacies, as well as to order online.

Additional physiological effects

Animal studies show that chondroitin accelerates bone healing; helps patients with osteoarthritis to restore joint function and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack. It is similar in function to glucosamine.

How is absorbed by the body?

High-molecular-weight chondroitin sulphate is hardly absorbed when taken orally, while low-molecular-weight chondrtin sulphate is absorbed from the stomach and small intestine and then travels to the bloodstream. Keep this in mind when shopping!

What can interfere with absorption and / or reduce the effect of chondroitin?

Concomitant use of chitosan and chonditin sulfate may interfere with the absorption of the latter.

Which foods contain the most Chondroitin  ?

The only dietary source of chonitin is animal cartilage.

 

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