Glucosamine But Hold the Chondroitin, Please.

"Well, I've been having this pain in my knees for a while, especially when I run.  What can I take to make my joints feel better?"

This is a very, very common question that comes my way.  What a'do about joint pain.  It can affect more than just knees as well - hips, elbows, any joint that is worked consistently.  My Love was unlucky enough to tear every ligament and tendon in his knee freshman year of college.  Years later, he still feels the pain when he plays basketball.  He takes a glucosamine supplement.  

Now, there is conflicting evidence saying whether or not glucosamine supplements are truly beneficial.  However, it has shown to be safe.  So, if it's safe to take, why not try it?  Before we go any further though, let's decipher all these ingredients you might see mentioned in joint health supplements.  

Glucosamine:  Building block for proteoglycans for synthesis of cartilage and synovial fluid.    

Chondroitin:  Found in joint cartilage and synovial fluid.  It is like big cinder blocks used to build a house.   

HLA:  Also known as hyaluronic Acid.  It is found in the synovial joint fluid.

MSM: Also known as methyl sulfonyl methane.  It acts as a source of sulfate to help build cartilage.

5-Loxin:  Extract of Boswellia serrata thought to affect an enzyme called 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), a precursor of inflammatory processes.  ****Note that not all Boswellia extracts are the same as this marketed extract.  

Whew!  Now we know what's in all these different products like Osteo Bi-Flex®, Schiff® Move Free, Nature Made® Tripple Flex.  But, I mentioned to "hold the chondroitin."  Why is that?  Well, it's been shown that chondroitin may affect the absorption of glucosamine.  If I was going to chose a glucosamine product, I'd try to look for one without the chondroitin then.

Now, as you'll get to know me, I like to try to make healthier choices for my family by using natural products (when possible).  When it comes to joints, there actually is a product that's preservative-free and chondroitin-free. It contains a special Boswellia extract for better absorption...Shaklee's New Advanced Joint Health Complex.  It's also shellfish-free, completely vegetarian friendly, and has been shown to out-do its competition.

So, I hope you've learned a little something reading this.  At least next time you walk through a grocery store or pharmacy you'll know a little more about what's on those boxes.  After all, the best way to a healthier self is a better informed self.

New Advanced Joint Health Complex found here.

*Baker, et al. Analgesic control and functional outcome after knee arthroscopy: results of a randomized double-blinded trial comparing a hyaluronic acid supplement with bupivacaine. Clin J Sport Med. 2012 Mar;22(2):109-15.

*Cohen, et al. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of a topical cream containing glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and camphor for osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol. 2003 Mar;30(3):523-8.
*Lee, et al. Effect of glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate on the osteoarthritis progression: a meta-analysis. Rheumatol Int. 2010 Jan;30(3):357-63. Epub 2009 Jun 21.

*Messier, et al. Glucosamine/chondroitin combined with exercise for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a preliminary study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007 Nov;15(11):1256-66. Epub 2007 Jun 11.

*"MSM." 2 August 2012. http://www.msmguide.com/

*Nguyen, et al. A randomized double-blind clinical trial of the effect of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride on temporomandibular joint disorders: a pilot study. Cranio. 2001 Apr;19(2):130-9.

*"Origin - Boswellia Serrata."  2 August 2012. http://5-loxin.com/?page=origin

*Product Bulletin. New Advanced Joint Health Complex.  Shaklee Corporation. http://www.shaklee.net/pws/library/products/20281_jointhealthbulletin.pdf

*Sawitzke, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010 Aug;69(8):1459-64. Epub 2010 Jun 4.