The Difference Between Glucosamine and Chondroitin – Your Arthritis Relievers

On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between glucosamine and chondroitin. They both exist in nature, and they both are used as nutritional supplements targeting joint health and arthritis relief. In fact, they’re often blended together in those same supplements. Since they usually work in pairs, the common belief is that the two are complementary; one does something the other doesn’t, but they both remedy the same problem, so why not toss them together? Let’s look a little deeper here and examine each one independent of the other, and ask why they’re so important to arthritis sufferers.

So, let’s begin with chondroitin. Chondroitin is usually contained in chondroitin sulfate, found in human tissue and is a component of bones and cartilage. Loss of chondroitin sulfate is one of the main causes of osteoarthritis, which is why chondroitin is used as part of an arthritis relief regimen. It is sold as caplets and tablets in 800- and 1200-milligram varieties, taken twice a day. Alternatively, it is also sold in powder form. Chondroitin has proven effective in decreasing pain in the joints of those who’ve taken it.

What’s so special about Glucosamine, you ask? Well, it is a naturally occurring chemical, much like chondroitin, and it has a lot to do with joint health, much like chondroitin! Glucosamine is found in cartilage, and is beneficial in helping slow the deterioration of cartilage. It’s found in a variety of forms from tablets to powder, and 1500 milligrams is the recommended dosage. What makes Glucosamine different is that it’s a vital component of joint cartilage. The main drawback is the length of time it takes before any improvement takes place—up to two months of consistent usage is needed! It’s enough to discourage some people from taking it as a supplement and pursue other remedies.

In the end, glucosamine and chondroitin have so much in common, they seem relatively interchangeable. The differences between glucosamine and chondroitin are subtle, as one seems to reinforce the positive benefits of the other. They both are found in joint cartilage. They work in tandem to slow the destruction of joint cartilage, improve mobility, and acts as a remedy for osteoarthritis. This explains the reason why they’re often blended together—the complementary action of both substances works very well for consumers, who keep buying the supplements in droves. Therefore, the difference between the two is rather negligible.