Chondroitin sulphate for sore joints
Chondroitin sulphate is classified as a dietary supplement in New Zealand but in Europe is available on prescription where it is classified as “a symptomatic slow-acting drug for osteoarthritis”.
The drug classification gives specific information: “Chondroitin sulphate, used with glucosamine, is indicated to alleviate pain and inflammation from primary osteoarthritis. This supplement is reported to improve joint function and slow disease progression.” (https://www.drugbank.ca/ drugs/db09301)
I recently read a health store flyer in my morning newspaper. One promotion was for a glucosamine-based joint product. There is no doubt that glucosamine can help joints. That is why I include it in my joint formula. But why is there no mention of chondroitin?
The large Hong Kongowned company would clearly know about the benefits of chondroitin. What then could be the reason for not including therapeutic amounts of chondroitin?
Why do most joint products sold in New Zealand have either no chondroitin or so little to have negligible impact on joint health? I think the answer is quite simple. Good quality chondroitin costs 10 times that of glucosamine. My preference is to have equal proportions of chondroitin and glucosamine and for most people to start at a double dose.
With my joint product the standard daily dose delivers 800mg of both ingredients while the double dose 1600mg each. This combined with high potency curcumin (from turmeric) extract can quickly settle sore joints. I usually add Omega 3 fish oil rather than plant Omega 3 sources (such as flax seed or hemp oils) as only fish oil has EPA, which is profoundly anti-inflammatory.
As an example I have been helping someone for a number of years who contacted me with sore and swollen knees caused by osteoarthritis. She is now much more comfortable and mobile and feeling so much better about life in general.
I have no doubt that the correct dose of high grade Chondroitin sulphate (CS) is the most important natural compound to help joints affected by osteoarthritis.
As an example I have been helping a man with osteoarthritis in both knees. The pain levels had become quite debilitating. We started with a booster dose of 1600mg of high-grade chondroitin with the same amount of glucosamine and 400mg of high potency curcumin. After three months the pain level had significantly reduced and he is now mobile again.
More recent research from the British Medical Journal (May 2017) compared highgrade chondroitin with common anti-inflammatory medication and found that 800mg of CS was beneficial. Researchers commented: “This compelling benefit-risk profile, in light of the known clinical risks associated with chronic use of NSAIDS and paracetamol, underscores the potential importance of pharmaceutical-grade [chondroitin sulfate] in the management of knee [osteoarthritis], especially in the older population requiring long-term treatment.”
The question is how can it help? Researchers have found that CS has multiple benefits. First it helps regulate inflammatory processes within the joint.
More importantly it helps specialised cells that reside in cartilage called chondrocytes. CS improves the ability of chondrocytes to secrete and repair cartilage. This comes as no surprise as CS is an important component of cartilage. I have worked with so many people with osteoarthritis that I am genuinely surprised if we cannot get an improvement within three months.
— 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 all new newsletter at www. abundant.co.nz