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NCP Miracle II
161 Richardson-Bass Rd
Kenly, NC 27542
Tel:(919)284-6002 Fax:(919)284-4197
EMail: info1@ncpmiracle2.com
161 Richardson-Bass Rd
Kenly, NC 27542
Tel:(919)284-6002 Fax:(919)284-4197
EMail: info1@ncpmiracle2.com
| Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate |
What are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate?
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in the body.
Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed to play a role in cartilage formation
and repair. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives
cartilage elasticity.
Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are sold as dietary or nutritional supplements.
They are extracted from animal tissue: glucosamine from crab, lobster or shrimp shells; and
chondroitin sulfate from animal cartilage, such as tracheas or shark cartilage.
What do they do?
Past studies show that some people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) taking either
glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate reported pain relief at a level similar to that of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Some
research indicates that the supplements might also slow cartilage damage in people with
OA. Definitive results about the effects of these supplements are expected from an in-depth
clinical study currently being conducted by the National Institutes of Health.
Plays a key role in stimulating the body to manufacture "proteoglycans" which maintain fluid
in the cartilage. Cartilage is a rubbery pliable pad that line joints and acts as protective
shock absorbers, so that we avoid bone-on bone contact. Cartilage is made up of living
tissue that is continually broken down and replaced, however, injury, stress on joints, and
the aging process itself, can harm cartilage tissue. Glucosamine helps prevent arthritic
symptoms and relieves the pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In
addition, Glucosamine is involved in the formation of the nails, tendons, skin, eyes, bones,
ligaments and heart valves.
What do I look for?
Because dietary supplements are unregulated, the quality and content may vary widely. If
you decide to take these supplements:
• Choose products sold by large, well-established companies that can be held
accountable.
• Read the product labels carefully to make sure the ingredient lists make sense to you.
If you have trouble, ask your pharmacists for help.
• Be sure to consult your doctor before deciding to try these supplements.
• Make sure that OA is the cause of your pain.
• Do not stop or reduce your current prescribed medications without talking with your
doctor.
How do I take them?
If you decide to take these supplements, consult your doctor about the proper dosage. The
amount used in studies of glucosamine was 1,500 mg per day and in studies of chondroitin
sulfate, 1,200 mg per day was used.
You can try the supplements along with your current medications for six to eight weeks. If
you don't experience any difference in your symptoms within a few months, you probably will
not get any relief from using the supplements.
Are there side effects?
The most common side effects are increased intestinal gas and softened stools. If you
experience these problems, you might want to try another supplement brand before you
stop using them altogether.
More studies need to be done to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the supplements.
Be sure to contact your doctor if you notice any unusual or new symptoms while you are
taking them.
Plays a key role in stimulating the body to manufacture "proteoglycans" which maintain fluid
in the cartilage. Cartilage is a rubbery pliable pad that line joints and acts as protective
shock absorbers, so that we avoid bone-on bone contact. Cartilage is made up of living
tissue that is continually broken down and replaced, however, injury, stress on joints, and
the aging process itself, can harm cartilage tissue. Glucosamine helps prevent arthritic
symptoms and relieves the pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In
addition, Glucosamine is involved in the formation of the nails, tendons, skin, eyes, bones,
ligaments and heart valves.
Cautions
• Children, women who are pregnant, and women who could become pregnant should
not take these supplements. They have not been studied long enough to determine their
effects on a child or on a developing fetus.
• Because glucosamine is an amino sugar, people with diabetes should check their
blood sugar levels more frequently when taking this supplement.
• If you are taking chondroitin sulfate in addition to a blood-thinning medication or daily
aspirin therapy, have your blood clotting time checked more often. This supplement is
similar in structure to the blood-thinning drug heparin, and the combination may cause
bleeding in some people.
• If you are allergic to shellfish, consult your doctor before deciding to take
glucosamine. In most cases, however, allergies are caused by proteins in shellfish, not
chitin, a carbohydrate from which glucosamine is extracted.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in the body.
Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed to play a role in cartilage formation
and repair. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives
cartilage elasticity.
Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are sold as dietary or nutritional supplements.
They are extracted from animal tissue: glucosamine from crab, lobster or shrimp shells; and
chondroitin sulfate from animal cartilage, such as tracheas or shark cartilage.
What do they do?
Past studies show that some people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) taking either
glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate reported pain relief at a level similar to that of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Some
research indicates that the supplements might also slow cartilage damage in people with
OA. Definitive results about the effects of these supplements are expected from an in-depth
clinical study currently being conducted by the National Institutes of Health.
Plays a key role in stimulating the body to manufacture "proteoglycans" which maintain fluid
in the cartilage. Cartilage is a rubbery pliable pad that line joints and acts as protective
shock absorbers, so that we avoid bone-on bone contact. Cartilage is made up of living
tissue that is continually broken down and replaced, however, injury, stress on joints, and
the aging process itself, can harm cartilage tissue. Glucosamine helps prevent arthritic
symptoms and relieves the pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In
addition, Glucosamine is involved in the formation of the nails, tendons, skin, eyes, bones,
ligaments and heart valves.
What do I look for?
Because dietary supplements are unregulated, the quality and content may vary widely. If
you decide to take these supplements:
• Choose products sold by large, well-established companies that can be held
accountable.
• Read the product labels carefully to make sure the ingredient lists make sense to you.
If you have trouble, ask your pharmacists for help.
• Be sure to consult your doctor before deciding to try these supplements.
• Make sure that OA is the cause of your pain.
• Do not stop or reduce your current prescribed medications without talking with your
doctor.
How do I take them?
If you decide to take these supplements, consult your doctor about the proper dosage. The
amount used in studies of glucosamine was 1,500 mg per day and in studies of chondroitin
sulfate, 1,200 mg per day was used.
You can try the supplements along with your current medications for six to eight weeks. If
you don't experience any difference in your symptoms within a few months, you probably will
not get any relief from using the supplements.
Are there side effects?
The most common side effects are increased intestinal gas and softened stools. If you
experience these problems, you might want to try another supplement brand before you
stop using them altogether.
More studies need to be done to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the supplements.
Be sure to contact your doctor if you notice any unusual or new symptoms while you are
taking them.
Plays a key role in stimulating the body to manufacture "proteoglycans" which maintain fluid
in the cartilage. Cartilage is a rubbery pliable pad that line joints and acts as protective
shock absorbers, so that we avoid bone-on bone contact. Cartilage is made up of living
tissue that is continually broken down and replaced, however, injury, stress on joints, and
the aging process itself, can harm cartilage tissue. Glucosamine helps prevent arthritic
symptoms and relieves the pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In
addition, Glucosamine is involved in the formation of the nails, tendons, skin, eyes, bones,
ligaments and heart valves.
Cautions
• Children, women who are pregnant, and women who could become pregnant should
not take these supplements. They have not been studied long enough to determine their
effects on a child or on a developing fetus.
• Because glucosamine is an amino sugar, people with diabetes should check their
blood sugar levels more frequently when taking this supplement.
• If you are taking chondroitin sulfate in addition to a blood-thinning medication or daily
aspirin therapy, have your blood clotting time checked more often. This supplement is
similar in structure to the blood-thinning drug heparin, and the combination may cause
bleeding in some people.
• If you are allergic to shellfish, consult your doctor before deciding to take
glucosamine. In most cases, however, allergies are caused by proteins in shellfish, not
chitin, a carbohydrate from which glucosamine is extracted.