The joints in the human body have a large number of structures and substances that allow them to maintain their stiffness and function properly. One such substance is chondroitin., which is located around the cartilage cells. Want to know the uses and benefits of this compound? Keep reading!
substance is matter it can be used as a supplement in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Indeed, Education demonstrate that chondroitin relieves pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee and hip, having an even greater effect than that of paracetamol. It can be consumed alone or in combination with other compounds, such as glucosamine.
What is Chondroitin?
Also known as chondroitin sulfate OR chondroitin sulfate, It is an endogenous substance found in the articular cartilage, surrounding the cells or dispersed in the matrix. The precise location makes it a regulatory medium for multiple biological and physiological phenomena.
The structure of the compound is varied, being made up of sugar molecules and some peptides, which makes it a complex carbohydrate. These structural variations mean that chondroitin can perform multiple functions, being particularly useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis.
It is marketed as a useful slow-acting drug in the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis. For its part, it is approved as a dietary supplement for the same condition in the United States. It is usually extracted from the cartilage of certain animals, such as cows or sharks, but it can also be synthesized in the laboratory.
How does it work?
It is important to remember that osteoarthritis is a pathology that generates joint pain and stiffness due to the degeneration of the articular cartilage. Therefore, the treatment is aimed at preventing this degeneration and stimulating the production of cartilage, as well as improving the symptoms presented.
As a complex carbohydrate, chondroitin sulfate increases the absorption of water by the articular cartilage, which increases flexibility and improves mobility. On the other hand it is also an inhibitor of the enzymes that promote the degeneration of the cartilage, slowing down the progression of the pathology.
multiple Education show it chondroitin has anti-inflammatory activity, so it is useful for reducing the pain caused by osteoarthritis in the fingers, knee and hip. This relief can also be seen in sore muscles from various causes.
Chondroitin also promotes the synthesis of various proteoglycans and endogenous hyaluronic acid, which can promote the formation of new cartilage. It also offers some structural strength and helps maintain joint integrity.
Effects and health benefits of chondroitin
Osteoarticular pathologies, such as arthritis and osteoarthritis, generate intense pain in the joints, making it difficult to move and carry out daily activities. Most of these pathologies have no cure, therefore the approach should be oriented towards symptom control.
In this sense, the use of chondroitin has shown multiple benefits in the state of health of people suffering from osteoarthritis and other rheumatic pathologies. Among the main advantages are the following.
Decreased joint pain
One of the main advantages of this substance is its ability to reduce joint pain, especially in the knee. The efficacy of chondroitin in reducing pain lies in its anti-inflammatory effect, as it prevents the synthesis of factors that stimulate inflammation, such as prostaglandins and proteoglycans.
Was tried That is able to reduce the intensity of the symptom up to 10%. It is important to note that it is a slow-acting drug and is usually administered together with other active ingredients to enhance its action.
On the other hand, the same study cited shows that the decrease in pain can reach a maximum of 20% in some patients. Results are observed up to 6 months.
Decreases joint space narrowing
Osteoarthritis generates a decrease in the cartilage of the affected joint, therefore a decrease in the joint space can be observed during the execution of an X-ray. All joints need to have some joint space in order to function properly.
Chondroitin promotes the formation of cartilage stimulate the synthesis of proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid and collagen. In this sense, it is possible to delay the decrease in joint space in patients with osteoarthritis, especially with prolonged use of the compound.
Improve the quality of life
Taking chondroitin sulfate helps improve the elasticity of the joints, thereby reducing morning stiffness. This fact helps to improve the range of joint mobility, facilitating the performance of daily activities, improve the quality of life.
The compound may also promote healing of joint and skin injuries through collagen synthesis. It is important to remember that collagen is one of the main components of these tissues, so the healing and wound healing process can be accelerated by promoting it.
Use in cataract surgery
Chondroitin is also found in some eye drops, in combination with hyaluronate. This form of presentation is used to facilitate cataract surgery. It can also help improve eye health and lower intraocular pressure. after surgery.
However, some Education show that there are higher viscosity compounds with a higher success rate. Also, the effects of those solutions that contain only chondroitin in their composition are not known.
Possible side effects of chondroitin
All marketed drugs are prone to side effects in patients and chondroitin sulfate is no exception. However, oral intake has been shown to be safe for up to 6 years. Most of the patients evaluated had no notable adverse symptoms.
The most common symptoms are mild abdominal pain and nausea. It is also possible to present signs of a different nature, even if with a much lower incidence, among which the following stand out:
- Abdominal distension.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Heachache.
- Hair loss.
- Inflammation of the eyelids.
On the other hand, there is some concern that chondroitin compounds of animal origin may be a vehicle for certain pathologies, such as mad cow disease. However, There have been no reports of disease transmission through the compound..
Chondroitin dosage and recommendations
chondroitin it can be taken orally in the form of capsules, tablets and powder for suspension. There is currently no single recommended dose. However, the most accepted is a daily intake of between 800 and 2000 milligrams.
The recommended dose can be given as a single dose or divided between 2 and 3 doses for greater patient comfort. The dietary supplement can be taken with food to reduce the likelihood of developing gastrointestinal symptoms.
Doses close to 2000 milligrams are recommended in those people with intense symptoms. For the rest of the patients, beneficial results may be observed when lower doses are ingested.
Can you supplement with glucosamine?
Glucosamine is another compound found in the human body, particularly in the fluid surrounding the joints. Its effectiveness in reducing osteoarthritis pain has been studied for many years.
In this sense, it is not surprising that chondroitin is used in combination with glucosamine to enhance the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of both. Indeed, Education they proved it the combination reduces pain, stiffness, functional limitation, and complications after 6 months in painful osteoarthritis of the knee.
On the other hand, the efficacy of combination therapy to prevent joint space narrowing has also been demonstrated. In this sense the a study conducted in 2015 determined that there was a significant decrease in joint space narrowing after 2 years of use.
Further studies are still needed
Despite all the existing evidence regarding the efficacy of chondroitin, Further studies on the action and benefits of the compound are still needed. Many of the investigations show contradictory results or have no relevant changes when comparing its effect with other available drugs or with placebo.
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