Chondroitin sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is a chemical substance found in cartilage that surrounds joints in the body. Synthetic chondroitin sulfate is extracted and derived from animal sources, such as a cow cartilage.

This amazing compound is available in several forms: as a capsuled supplement, as an eye drop, and even as ointments or creams.

Fig 1. Chondroitin Sulfate

How it Works

Chondroitin sulfate slows the breaking down of cartilage in the joints because it is one of the building blocks of cartilage.

Research and Medical uses

There is strong evidence that chondroitin works well with general osteoarthritis of the finger, knee, hip joints, back and face.  Furthermore, it is most commonly used to treat osteoarthritis, and it is popularly stacked with other compounds like glucosamine sulfate, and manganese.  As a matter of fact, studies have shown that this combination reduces arthritis pain.

Other health conditions, where chondroitin sulfate can be beneficial include:

• Frequent urination: Those with an overactive bladder can use chondroitin sulfate to treat this condition.
• Bone diseases: Chondroitin sulfate can help those with back stiffness and joint issues along the spine.
• Eyes related issues: Chondroitin sulfate is often used for dry eyes and during cataract surgery.
• Other Benefits:  Research has shown how beneficial this agent can be in the treatment of coronary artery disease, muscle soreness, and iron absorption boosting.

Bodybuilding Use

Bodybuilders spend many hours lifting a lot of weights, which directly hits the cartilage that surrounds the joints.  Over time, this will cause bone on bone problems, arthritis build up, and chronic injuries.  Those with lanky limbs usually complain about joint problems, especially with the knees, which is the part of the body that suffers most of the stress during workouts. Chondroitin works effectively to protect the knees; hence, if you have existing knee issues, it is a must to run this supplement before things get even worse.

In spite of the fact that some bodybuilders use anti-inflammatory drugs and/or corticosteroids to reduce arthritis or pain during a workout, in the long run this strategy will lead to excessive and permanent damage to the joints.  What starts off as a nagging injury will soon become a chronic issue that needs serious treatment.  Therefore, taking chondroitin sulfate before the problem gets out of hand is a great preventive measure.

Moreover, bodybuilders can also benefit from chondroitin's bone strengthening effects, as well as its ability to help speed up recovery from muscle soreness.

Side Effects

Research done on individuals who used chondroitin for 6 years in a row has shown that this substance did not cause any side effects whatsoever.  Though, there have been reports of chondroitin users experiencing such issues as stomach irritation and minor asthma.  However, these symptoms are very rare, and they are always related to excessively high dosages of chondroitin.  As long as chondroitin sulfate is taken properly, the user should not have any issues with this compound.

Dosages

Typical dosages are 1000-1200 milligrams (mgs) per day in split doses.  It is best to use chondroitin as part of a supplemental stack, where the other compounds work in synergy.

Where to Find

It is very easy to find chondroitin legally over the counter in any health food store or vitamin shop. Since it is popular to use it with glucosamine, people usually buy both. However, there is a better way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone by getting a complete joint health supplement called N2JointRx, sold by N2bm.com. It contains 1100mg of Chondroitin per serving, as well as over a dozen other vitamins and compounds, all of which are designed to keep you healthy.

Nonetheless, there is a lot of cheap chondroitin sold by unreliable suppliers that does not even contain the compound.  Furthermore, another big problem frequently encountered with chondroitin sulfate, is that these supplement stacks may contain too much manganese, which can be toxic at high dosages.  Hence, it is important to choose wisely and purchase your chondroitin only from a trusted brand like N2BM.

Forums

Want to read about Chondroitin on our forums? check out these threads:

References

• Chondroitin sulphate: a focus on osteoarthritis
• Chondroitin Sulfate in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis: From in Vitro Studies to Clinical Recommendations
• What is the current status of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis?
• Effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials
• Efficacy of Chondroitin Sulfate for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: A One-Year, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Clinical Study in Japan
• Update on the role of pharmaceutical-grade chondroitin sulfate in the symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis