If you want to prevent your joints from deteriorating, take chondroitin long-term
Added 12.02.2009
Our body produces chondroitin naturally and it can be found in connective tissue of cartilage and the cornea of our eyes. Chondroitin is responsible for building and maintaing our cartilage, keeping it elastic and giving us healthy joints. We start developing osteoarthritis when our body can no longer produce chondroitin in sufficient quantities, either because of aging or due to an excess of wear and tear of our joints.
Chondroitin thickens cartilage
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study has found that high concentrations of chondroitin significantly reduce joint space loss in osteoarthritis sufferers. What happens with osteoarthritis is that the cartilage between the joints deteriorates resulting in less space between the joints. Cartilage acts like a cushion to joints so when it deteriorates, what is left is joint grinding against joint causing the painful symptoms typical of osteoarthritis.Chondroitin rebuilds joints, thickens cartilage and treats the chronic inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. The study also reported that chondroitin considerably reduces pain in a short period of time. If you want to get the beneficial effects of chondroitin, remember that long-term consumption (at least two years) is vital.
References:
Dr. Bo Nielsen's comments:
Osteoarthritis is a very common problem in the Western world. The most commonly used traditional treatment is painkillers, also called NSAIDs. Unfortunately, most NSAIDs cause our cartilage to break down further, which in the long-term worsens the osteoarthritis! In this and many previous studies, the combination of chondroitin and glucosamine and other natural nutrients rebuild cartilage, treating the cause of osteoarthritis. Why use painkillers, proven to have serious side effects, if you can choose a 100% natural treatment that is demonstrated to effectively improve your osteoarthritis or your sports injuries by re-establishing your joints to their normal condition.
