Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfate
Proposed Uses: Osteoarthritis; Atherosclerosis; High Cholesterol; Sports and Fitness Support: Enhancing Recovery
Chondroitin sulfate is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It is a major constituent of cartilage.
Based on the evidence of preliminary studies, chondroitin is used as a treatment for osteoarthritis, the typical arthritis that many people suffer as they get older.
There is some evidence that chondroitin might go beyond treating symptoms and actually protect joints from damage.
Sources
Chondroitin is not an essential nutrient. Animal cartilage is the only dietary source of chondroitin. (When it's on your plate, animal cartilage is called gristle.) Unless you enjoy chewing gristle, you'd do best to obtain chondroitin in pill form from a health food store or pharmacy.
Therapeutic Dosages
The usual dosage of chondroitin is 400 mg taken 3 times daily, indefinitely. Two studies used an "on and off" schedule of chondroitin (taking it for 3 months, going off of it for 3 months, and then taking it again). Other studies involved taking chondroitin daily. Regardless of which way you use it, be patient! The results are thought to take weeks to develop.
Therapeutic Uses
Numerous double-blind studies have found evidence that chondroitin can relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, and possibly also slow the progression of the disease ; however, the largest and generally best designed study failed to find benefit.
Safety Issues
Chondroitin generally does not cause much in the way of side effects, besides occasional mild digestive distress. However, there is one case report of an exacerbation of asthma caused by use of a glucosamine-chondroitin product. In addition, there are theoretical concerns that chondroitin might have a mild “blood-thinning” effect, based on its chemical similarity to the anticoaculant drug heparin. Reassuringly, there are no case reports of any problems relating to this. Individuals with bleeding problems, such as hemophilia, or temporarily at risk for bleeding (e.g., undergoing surgery or labor and delivery) should avoid chondroitin.
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