Chondroitin a forgotten hero

If you use a joint supplement for osteoarthritis then stop reading and get the bottle and check the amount of chondroitin sulphate (CS) in the daily dose. Most older-style formulas will have up to 20 per cent CS in the formula typically about 200mg in a daily dose. Chondroitin is a structural component of cartilage adding strength and resistance to compression.

The study that changed it all for me was published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases (Wildi et al, 2011) the study title is: Chondroitin sulphate reduces both cartilage volume loss and bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis patients starting as early as six months after initiation of therapy: a randomised, double-blind, placebocontrolled pilot study using MRI.

Eighty people with similar grades of knee OA were chosen. Half were given 800mg of CS as 400mg twice daily for six months. The other group was given a placebo. The two groups were compared after six months. The group using CS had much less cartilage loss.

The next phase gave all participants 800mg of CS for another six months. The same results occurred. Those on the placebo showed a reduction in cartilage loss while the group that had continued with CS now for 12 months continued with much less cartilage loss.

As a consequence I re-formulated my joint support formula and lifted CS to the levels used in the study. I also added a potent antiinflammatory 95 per cent curcumin (from turmeric) extract.

Even joints that show signs of degeneration can improve. As an example one man I have been helping noticed significant improvements in mobility and comfort after only a few months and is now even able to ski again. Give me a call or email john@abundant.co.nz if you need more information.

■ John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz