There are some studies that show improved joint flexibility and range of motion with glucosamine sulfate,” says FarshadFaniMarvasti, MD, MPH, director of Public Health, Prevention, and Health Promotion at The University of Arizona. “That’s the one I would take if you’re going to take it for joint stiffness.” Other uses not proven with research have included treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, cataracts, glaucoma, bladder problems, heart disease, high cholesterol, or TMJ (temporomandibular joint disease).

Simental-Mendía M, Sánchez-García A, Vilchez-Cavazos F, Acosta-Olivo CA, Peña-Martínez VM, Simental-Mendía LE. Effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Rheumatol Int. 2018;38(8):1413-1428. doi:10.1007/s00296-018-4077-2 After 6 months, chondroitin sulfate led to similar pain scores as celecoxib and significantly lower scores than the placebo. Thus, the authors concluded that chondroitin sulfate may be an effective pain remedy for those with knee osteoarthritis pain ( 10). Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or under medical supervision, please consult a doctor or healthcare professional before use. Discontinue use and consult a doctor if adverse reactions occur. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing. Consult a doctor before use if you have or have had diabetes or hypoglycemia. Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. In 2019 OA treatment guidelines, the Arthritis Foundation and American College of Rheumatology give a conditional recommendation of chondroitin sulfate for hand OA. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says the evidence on glucosamine for OA pain is unclear, and chondroitin isn’t helpful, but that these supplementshaven’t been shown to beharmful. That means that there isn't strong evidence that benefits outweigh risk, but the supplement could be helpful for people with OA. When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.Chondroitin is a naturally occurring substance formed of sugar chains. Chondroitin is believed to help the body maintain fluid and flexibility in the joints.

Ultimately, no firm conclusions can be made on the effectiveness of glucosamine, chondroitin, or the two combined as a treatment for osteoarthritic pain or stiffness. Due to the large inconsistency in results and quality of available research, continued research is needed. Summary In many European countries, these supplements area prescribedtreatment for OA. In the U.S.,the recommendations on glucosamine and chondroitin are moremoderate,due tothe mixed results of studies. Glucosamine is a natural sugar compound that occurs in the body and in some other animal and non-organic tissues (like shellfish, fungi, and animal bones). 4,5 You can also get glucosamine from supplements, which are typically available in tablet or capsule form (although other varieties, like salves, exist too).

Alshammari E, Alshammari A. Glucosamine effects on lipids and blood pressure. Int J Res Pharm Sci. 2020;11(1):431-6. doi:10.26452/ijrps.v11i1.1838 Osteoarthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis. Accessed Oct. 24, 2020. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis.

In a 2014 review of 43 studies on the use of chondroitin for osteoarthritis, chondroitin taken alone or with glucosamine showed significantly lower pain scores — with a 10% mean difference — compared with a placebo. However, the overall quality of studies was low ( 11). If you have decided that glucosamine supplements are right for you, it’s essential to take the correct dosage. Always read the label on your chosen product and follow the instructions carefully. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring form of sulfur that helps support muscles and tendons in the body. In general, glucosamine and chondroitin are thought to be safe. However, as with any medication, there are potential risks. In some clinical trials, people taking the glucosamine-chondroitin combination have reported The case for these supplements protecting joint health or preventing arthritis from worsening is similarly weak.A 2016 study of glucosamine and chondroitin enrolled 164 patients with knee pain due to osteoarthritis and gave half of them a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin; the other half received an identical placebo pill. The study was stopped early for an unusual reason: those taking the supplement actually reported worse symptoms than those taking a placebo. This raises the possibility that taking glucosamine and chondroitin might make your joints feel worse than doing nothing. In a 2017 analysis in 1,625 people with hip or knee osteoarthritis, glucosamine supplements did not significantly improve osteoarthritis pain or function compared with a placebo ( 6). Another concern is drug interactions, which may be a problem with any combination of medications. For example, chondroitin may interact with blood thinners such as warfarin, so the combination could increase the risk of bleeding. Mayo Clinic researchers agree, saying that evidence supports trying glucosamine sulfate — not hydrochloride — with or without chondroitin sulfate for knee OA. There are many different brands of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are usually sold together as one arthritis supplement. Again, there is no government monitoring to ensure the purity of these products.