It appears that, with increasing age, the body loses its ability to produce glucosamine/chondroitin in sufficient quantities. Weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, and also the wrists and shoulders are most commonly affected by arthrosis. It leads to the destruction of cartilage mass, indurations, and the deposition of large bone spurs at the joint margins. The results are pain, deformation, and a limited radius of movement.

Glucosamine: The main components of joint cartilage are glycosaminoglycans (amino sugar complexes); glucosamine is one of its constituents. Glucosamine consists of glucose and the amino acid glutamine. The more the body has of this substance, the more glycosaminoglycans (and therefore cartilage mass) are produced. Furthermore, glucosamine makes the joint cartilage elastic and also more resistant.

Unfortunately, sufficient quantities of gluco­samine cannot be taken in food, as none of our foodstuffs except shellfish contains adequate quantities of glucosamine. Therefore it has to be given as a supplement. Gluco­samine is available in several forms. The sulfate form (stabilized with a mineral salt) is the preferred form of administration, as it is most extensively researched. Usually potassium chloride is used for stabilization, because our food, in any case, is very deficient in potassium.

Chondroitin: Chondroitin consists of repetitive molecule chains (mucopolysaccharides) and is also an important consti­tuent of cartilage. It gives joint cartilage its structure, is responsible for its water-binding capacity, and the permeability of nutrients. The latter is especially important, as cartilage does not contain any blood vessels and is nourished by diffusion alone.

Chondroitin plays a role in the restoration of joint function, arthrosis, and even fracture healing, as many trials have shown.

Chondroitin also has to be administered to the body, as the only source of sufficient chondroitin is animal cartilage. The pharmaceutical form is also a sulfate, similar to glucosamine.

The medications currently used for the treatment of arthrosis (cortisone drugs and painkillers) usually bring about short-term relief. In the long term the destruction of joints cannot be prevented. This is because only the symptoms (pain, inflammation) are addressed, while the cause of the disease (degradation of cartilage substance) remains untreated. All of these preparations have, in part, grave side effects which may be damaging to health in the long term. However, the trials conducted so far in respect of glucosamine and chondroitin show that the treatment of arthrosis must include more than the symptomatic manage­ment of pain and inflammation.

Glucosamine-chondroitin on its own has no analgesic or anti-inflammatory effect. Leading medical experts and scientists therefore recommend a combination of anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents along with glucosamine-chondroitin (Glucochondrin^®) for a short while.

However, in the long term glucosamine-chondroitin should be taken alone because it stimulates the production of cartilage substance. Glucosamine and chondroitin, as contained in Glucochondrin^®, are a safe and effective natural alternative or supplement to conventional medications for arthrosis.

Glucosamine and chondroitin promote the production of the substances required for sufficient joint function in the body. Both are responsible for the renewal of cartilage mass in the joints. Pain disappears and the person regains his freedom of movement. The most significant outcome observed in patients treated with glucosamine-chondroitin (Glucochondrin^®) was the nearly complete regeneration of the damaged cartilage mass; the cartilage returned to its previous healthy state. When we give the body the substances it needs to regenerate damaged cartilage cells, we will achieve cure only if the treatment is continued for a long period of time.

One capsule contains 400 mg chondroitin sulfate and 500 mg glucosamine sulfate in pharmaceutical quality in a hypoallergenic rice starch base.

Glucosamine-chondroitin is not known to have any major side effects. Therefore specialists recommend glucosamine-chondroitin (Glucochondrin^®) as the «ideal substance» for (oral) treatment of rheumatic symptoms.

When more than 10 grams per day are taken the individual may experience nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms (indigestion, heartburn, etc.). In such cases Glucochondrin^® should be taken during meals. A very small number of patients may be allergic to glucosamine, especially those who are also allergic to shellfish.

This product is available at pharmacies or via Pharmatrans Inc.

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