What is the role of Chondroitin & Glucosamine in joint pain?

Most people with arthritis have osteoarthritis (OA), a condition characterised by deterioration of the cartilage matrix, sclerosis of the subchondral bone, and the development of bony projections called osteophytes. It is expected that the prevalence of OA will increase worldwide, especially in big weight-bearing joints such as the knee and hip1.

Researchers have found that factors such as age, genetics, obesity, inflammation, and severe mechanical loading all increase the risk of developing OA. Because of the underlying structural changes, patients experience aches and pains, as well as swelling and discomfort in their joints. Medications and non-drug approaches are both used to treat osteoarthritis. Because of their proven efficacy, analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are currently used to treat osteoarthritis (OA). However, they are only symptomatic treatments, not disease-modifying therapy for OA, and they have been linked to higher-risk adverse outcomes, such as gastrointestinal and/or cardiovascular problems. As a result, researchers have been looking for a medication that effectively alleviates OA's clinical symptoms while also being well-tolerated and safe2,3.

Osteoarthritis patients, in particular, often turn to dietary supplements for relief from the disease's painful symptoms because mainstream medicine has not yet developed a method for preventing or slowing the condition's progression.

Chondroitin and Glucosamine are the most commonly used natural supplement and have emerged as a therapy choice for some patients suffering from the pain of osteoarthritis; nevertheless, they have not been subjected to as much scientific research as other treatments have been.

What are Chondroitin and Glucosamine4,5?

Both glucosamine and chondroitin occur naturally in your cartilage. One of the most common types of cartilage can be found throughout the body as a connective tissue. Cartilage, which is typically located in the body's joints, has numerous critical functions, including providing protection and cushioning for the ends of bones. This cartilage is deteriorating in persons with osteoarthritis, which can lead to painful bone rubbing. This can eventually cause stiffness and pain in the hands, hips, knees and spine. It is believed that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin in a single supplement can reduce arthritis pain by inhibiting further cartilage breakdown and reducing inflammation. More than 3.6% of the world's population suffers from osteoarthritis, and many people use or have tried using mixed chondroitin and glucosamine supplements to lessen the condition's painful symptoms.

How are Chondroitin and Glucosamine Effective against Joint Pain 2,6,7:

Researchers have hypothesised that glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate can slow down the deterioration of cartilage caused by osteoarthritis in a number of ways:

Chondroitin: Because it is a component of the protein molecule that gives cartilage its elasticity, chondroitin sulphate may have an anti-inflammatory impact that alleviates the painful swelling of joints caused by the rubbing of bare bones. Also, chondroitin sulphate has been shown to inhibit cartilage breakdown and promote cartilage formation, both of which are important for joint protection and comfort.

Glucosamine: It has been hypothesised that glucosamine sulphate aids in the development and maintenance of cartilage.  Glucosamine sulphate has shown promise in protecting joint cartilage in laboratory studies, both by reducing cartilage breakdown and by promoting cartilage production.   Another type of glucosamine that has been shown to be just as effective as glucosamine sulphate is glucosamine hydrochloride. The body absorbs it more readily, and smaller doses have the same therapeutic impact as higher doses of glucosamine sulphate.

Reference:

  1. Glyn-Jones, S. et al. Osteoarthritis. The Lancet 386, 376–387 (2015).
  2. Zhu, X., Sang, L., Wu, D., Rong, J. & Jiang, L. Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 13, 170 (2018).
  3. Essex, M. N., O’Connell, M. A., Behar, R. & Bao, W. Efficacy and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Asian patients with knee osteoarthritis: summary of a randomized, placebo-controlled study. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 19, 262–270 (2016).
  4. Glucosamine, Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis Pain | Arthritis Foundation. Learn more.
  5. Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis | NCCIH. Learn more.
  6. Contributors, W. E. Dietary Supplements For Arthritis Pain Relief. WebMD Learn more.
  7. MD, R. H. S. Do glucosamine and chondroitin supplements actually work for arthritis? Harvard Health Learn more (2016).