Glucosamine Chondroitin

Having knee pain? Lots of people do.  It has to do with the constant motion and activity of the knee, weight gain, and the natural aging process…or it could just be that you have over worked it…or a myriad of other reasons.

Most people don;t care why their knees hurt..they just want them to stop so they can get back to some sort of normal life.

So..the real question:What is glucosamine chondroitin and, more importantly, does it work?

Glucosamine and chondroitin are actually two seperate substances that are manufactured by the body.  The are found in cartilage cells.  Like everything else, your body slows down its manufacture of these substances as you get older.

You will find them together in your supplement because these substances work together well. Chondroitin helps repair cartilage, rebuild and strengthen it. Chondroitin makes the cartilage cells more elastic and helps them to retain water and moisture.

Let’s face it, no one wants dried out, old cartilage cells, right?

The really good news is that glucosamine chondroitin has been found to work as well as prescription antiinflammatories.  The better news is that it does with without those nasty side effects.

You have to take it routinely for a period of time to see results.  Give it six weeks to begin to see some results and up to three months of regular use for it to reach optimum effects.  This is not so different from the prescriptions either.  The take awhile too.

You should always consult with a doctor before you start taking supplements.  If you are diabetic you should be careful of your blood sugar levels.  Glucosamine effects blood sugar levels in some people, although it is not converted to a sugar by the body.  It should not be taken by those on blood thinners or for three weeks before surgery.  That is not different from prescription anti-inflammatories, however.  They are also discontinued prior to surgery.

If you are allergic to shellfish you should not take chondroitin as this is made from a substance in their shells.

Possible mild side effects are:

• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Gas
• Diahhrea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain

You may not experience any of these effects or only one or two.  Considering the options, glucosamine chondroitin may be a good choice.  I know that it worked really well for Marc for a long time.

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