What Is Glucosamine and Chondroitin?
Glucosamine and
chondroitin is a
dietary supplement most often used to treat
arthritis (although it is claimed to be beneficial for a few other uses as well). The two components (chondroitin and glucosamine) can be purchased and used separately, although they are most commonly used together.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar naturally found in the human body.
It is important for the production of certain proteins, lipids (fatty molecules), and other substances in the human body. Most researchers think that glucosamine works for arthritis in several ways, such as by:
- Decreasing inflammation
- Stimulating chondrocytes, the cells that make and maintain cartilage
- Decreasing the production of certain compounds that degrade cartilage.
Chondroitin is a molecule naturally found in the human body (as well as in many animals). It is part of a group of very large molecules known as glycosaminoglycans. Researchers think that chondroitin might work for arthritis in several ways, such as by:
- Inhibiting a cartilage-damaging enzyme known as leukocyte elastase
- Decreasing inflammation (by changing the way certain white blood cells respond to certain chemical signals)
- Increasing the production of hyaluronic acid, a component of synovial fluid (the lubricating fluid in joints) and of cartilage.
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