Osteoarthritis Diet: Health Supplements That Improve Your Joint Disease

Glucosamine tablets and chondroitin sulfate are associated with treating osteoarthritis (OA) which is a degenerative joint disease. Commonly known as “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage or the cushion between the joints tears, causing swelling pain and stiffness. Chondroitin sulfate is essential in repairing these worn and torn cartilaginous structures between joints as these are supplements made from natural products like cartilage of animals like cows, sharks, pigs or can also be made in laboratories. Glucosamine, on the other hand, is a natural, healthy compound found in the fluid that surrounds joint. Supplements of glucosamine are obtained from shellfish or shell or can be made in the laboratory. These two are the most important supplements in curing osteoarthritis.

Supplements that relieve osteoarthritis:

Chondroitin Sulfate

A journal of 2011 on “Arthritis and Rheumatism” stated that chondroitin sulfate is very beneficial in relieving pain and in functional improvement in cases of OA in hand and knee. Made from fish, if this supplement is regularly consumed, there will be relief for about 8 to 10 percent, and results start showing in about three months. Patients are generally prescribed a dosage of 800 mg in 6 months. Although it works in shortening stiffness caused in morning, in about a minimum of three months, it does not improve grip strength. Chondroitin sulfate can be used as an alternative to NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for patients who cannot take the same. Although condroitin sulfate is slower in showing results, it is a safer alternative as NSAIDs, although more effective in removing pain faster, cause serious side effects like risks of heart attack or gastrointestinal bleeding or stroke. However, this is an overall introspection and those who have seen stark improvements should not stop the consumption as recommended by the practitioner.

Glucosamine Tablets

Glucosamine tablets are useful in providing a modest relief from the pain caused in spine, hip and knees. Having a higher rate than chondroitin sulfate, it can be used in place of NSAIDs because of its safe components. Also, it works as a placebo or as a pill that does not have any medicine. It makes patients feel better. However, a  Journal of the American Medical Association published a study in 2010 that stated glucosamine did not show any additional relief as compared to placebo, with a chronic lower back pain in the lower spine caused by osteoarthritis.

Most Effective Dietary Supplement is a Combination of Both

The most effective of all is the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate that showed significant relief from severe to moderate pain in knee OA.  However, it has been observed that the combination did not show any prevention in joint damage. Also, joint consumption made the body to absorb less or none of the combinations together. The combination also did not provide any greater relief that is significant over a long period of consumption. Differences in the effectiveness of the respective supplements have reasons. In case of condroitin, it maybe because of varied dosages and quality that it failed to show significant results. For glucosamine too it has been found that these two factors vary on the basis of various brands.

You can buy Glucosamine supplements at the lowest prices from Purayati. Also check out the best multivitamin tablets for men.