Provides the structural components of joint cartilage and acts as an antioxidant

400 mg 60 tablets, #364, $26.95

Supports healthy joint metabolism by stimulating the synthesis of hyaluronic acid (joint lubricant).* and act as an antioxidant that inhibits free radical enzymes that degrade joint cartilage and collagen, and facilitate the entry of glucosamine into inflamed joints. Like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate attracts water into the cartilage matrix and stimulates the production of cartilage. Likewise, it has the ability to prevent enzymes from dissolving cartilage. Recent studies have shown very good results from long-term treatment with chondroitin sulfate, reducing pain and increasing range of motion. Glucosamine alone or in combination with chondroitin sulfate has the ability to repair and improve joint function in addition to providing pain relief.

More recently, as the knowledge of the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate in particular has become widespread, many people want to take chondroitin sulfate by itself, or augment the Chondrox formula with extra amounts. In addition to possessing anti-inflammatory properties, chondroitin sulfate is also a potent antioxidant. In a study published in the journal FEBS Letters (V-403, I-2, 1997), chondroitin sulfate was specifically shown to inhibit copper-induced LDL cholesterol oxidation in the arterial wall. Chondroitin sulfate protected against both early stage initiation of oxidation and subsequent free radical propagation.

1 tablet (400 mg) contains:
Chondroitin sulfate ..............400 mg
supplying:
Glucuronic acid ...................210 mg
N-acetyl-galactosamine .....190 mg
Other ingredients: dicalcium phosphate, cellulose, stearic acid, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and silica.

Dosage and use:
1-3 tablets daily are recommended for suppression of inflammation and LDL cholesterol oxidation.

This product is effectively utilized when taken with meals.

Excerpt from LE Magazine: Arthritis and Aging A new perspective

by: William Faloon

Rebuilding lost cartilage

Arthritis patients have a choice of using FDA-approved drugs and/or natural therapies to help protect the linings of the joints against autoimmune attack by dangerous cytokines and prostaglandins. But what about the cartilage destruction that already occurred?

According to the March 15, 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a review of all known studies on glucosamine and chondroitin in the treatment of arthritis showed a mean improvement in quality scores of 35.5%. The conclusions of the authors were:

"Trials of glucosamine and chondroitin preparations for osteoarthritis symptoms demonstrate moderate to large effects, but quality issues and likely publication bias suggest that these effects are exaggerated. Nevertheless, some degree of efficacy appears probable for these preparations."
This rather pessimistic conclusion may be warranted based on the knowledge that to adequately treat arthritis, it is crucial to suppress cartilage-destroying cytokines like TNF-a and pro-inflammatory fatty acid-derivatives such as PGE2. This is where a holistic approach to treating arthritis starts to make sense even in the world of conventional medicine. Since glucosamine and chondroitin preparations obviously provide some benefit, it makes sense to combine them with nutritional and/or drug therapies that suppress inflammatory damage to the lining of the joint.

Among the natural therapies for osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate is probably the best known. It is extensively used as a drug for osteoarthritis in Europe, and it has been readily available in health food stores in the United States in recent years.

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance in the body, synthesized in the chondrocytes. The body uses supplemented glucosamine to synthesize the proteoglycans and the water-binding glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the cartilage matrix. In addition to providing raw material, the presence of glucosamine seems to stimulate the chondrocytes in their production of these substances. Glucosamine also inhibits certain enzymes, which destroy the cartilage, e.g. collagenase and phospholipase. By blocking pathogenic mechanisms that lead to articular degeneration, glucosamine delays the progression of the disease and relieves symptoms even for weeks after termination of the treatment.41

Chondroitin sulfate is a major component of cartilage. It is a very large molecule, composed of repeated units of glucosamine sulfate. Like glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate attracts water into the cartilage matrix and stimulates the production of cartilage. Likewise it has the ability to prevent enzymes from dissolving cartilage. Although the absorption of chondroitin sulfate is much lower than that of glucosamine (10-15% versus 90-98%), recent studies have shown good results from long-term treatment with chondroitin sulfate, reducing pain and increasing range of motion.42-44

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