Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements – Why You Need to Take Them

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are a popular remedy for arthritis. It’s sold as a dietary supplement, composed of both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Neither one is stable enough to be sold alone, so they’re paired with an accompanying molecule the body can process in order to release the active ingredient. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are wildly popular, as their wide availability in stores will attest. Due to the various sources the active ingredients are derived from, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements vary in effectiveness, so consumers should purchase their supplements from companies they trust.

For glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, the sulfate form is the most common form of sold in stores and is considered the most effective. Glucosamine and chondroitin hydrochloride (HCL) is another effective form of the supplement. Both the sulfate and hydrochloride forms work very well together. In fact the sulfate/hydrochloride combinations are considered the best type of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements. When comparing them to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the choice is rather clear. Do you want speed or a slow, consistent result? Taking aspirin will relieve pain much faster than glucosamine or chondroitin supplements, but the effect doesn’t last very long. The supplement provides gradual, slow-acting relief, highlighted by the fact that it takes time for cartilage to regenerate.

Now that we’ve talked about the best forms of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, which Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements should consumers stay away from? Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate * NaCl (sodium chloride, also known as ordinary table salt) and glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate * KCl (potassium chloride) are not very effective formulas to take because the carrier molecule is a salt. Salts, while cheaper to use than sulfates and hydrochlorides, gobble up almost a third of the product weight, which means less of the glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are actually being ingested.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements are the most basic anti-arthritis supplement you can take. While the results come slowly—it takes at least a month for effects to really kick in—when the results come, the can be remarkable. Since both glucosamine and chondroitin are found in joint cartilage, they’re helpful in regenerating cartilage, and work to promote flexibility, mobility, and less inflammation. The common dosage of each in glucosamine and chondroitin supplements is 1500 mg of glucosamine and 1200 mg of chondroitin. It is important to note that formulas exist that have smaller dosages, but a good rule of thumb to remember is the less of the actual Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements you take, the slower the relief will be.