Is Chondroitin Sulphate or Glucosamine Better for Joints?

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are popular supplements that may help alleviate joint pain and stiffness. The ideal supplement for joints contains both chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine.

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are popular supplements that may help alleviate joint pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and other similar conditions. Yet, their efficiency isn’t entirely backed by science, as many studies show that these compounds have mixed results in improving joint health. Here’s what you need to know.

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are natural compounds that form part of your cartilage — the tissue that connects and protects your joints. While the human body produces them independently, some people take these compounds as supplements to alleviate osteoarthritis-related pain and stiffness.

Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage begins to break down, debilitating the joint and changing the underlying bones. As the condition continues to develop and the cartilage gets weaker, osteoarthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for this condition.

Chondroitin sulfate is a complex carbohydrate found in cartilage cells, where it helps to retain water to support the tissue. On the other hand, glucosamine plays a role in the production of synovial fluid — a dense solution that reduces friction between the joints.

Some people argue that taking chondroitin and glucosamine can help alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Yet, research isn’t conclusive regarding this topic — some studies successfully treated osteoarthritis with these compounds, while others saw no improvement. Still, these compounds present a possible alternative for people who can’t take the usual osteoarthritis medications due to other health conditions.

Currently, there is a lot of debate concerning the best way to take these supplements. Some experts argue that chondroitin is better for osteoarthritis, while others claim that there’s more evidence in favor of glucosamine. Yet, most agree that the ideal supplement for osteoarthritis should contain both compounds. Here are some of the strong points of each option:

Taking chondroitin on its own

Research suggests that chondroitin sulfate may have anti-inflammatory effects that could help treat conditions like osteoarthritis. This theory is supported by the fact that chondroitin can also reduce symptoms of other inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis.

Yet, a comprehensive 2015 study shows that only about 50% of people who take chondroitin notice an improvement in their joints. On average, these participants reported a pain reduction of 20% in their joint pain. Furthermore, researchers point out that chondroitin may not be helpful in the long term.

While research is still inconclusive regarding the efficiency of chondroitin, many experts still recommend it as a treatment for osteoarthritis. This is due to the low toxicity of the compound, suggesting that the possible benefits heavily outweigh the potential risks. However, it’s essential to remember that you shouldn’t take chondroitin for more than six months if you don’t see any impact on your joints.

Taking glucosamine on its own

Similarly, glucosamine also shows mixed results when taken for managing osteoarthritis. Several studies show that participants report feeling an improvement in their joints after taking glucosamine for a short period. But more comprehensive studies suggest this improvement isn’t as effective and consistent as the one related to prescription osteoarthritis drugs.

Moreover, researchers haven’t agreed on how to take glucosamine to improve your joints. Some studies suggest that taking one large daily dose is the best way, while others indicate that dividing it into three smaller doses could yield better results.

Glucosamine could improve osteoarthritis by delaying cartilage degradation, as it can partially suppress the catabolic function in joint cells. Catabolism is the process that breaks down larger structures to create smaller building blocks for your body. While it’s an entirely normal process, inhibiting it could lead to an improvement in joint degradation.

Taking them together

Because of the mixed results these supplements provide, many experts suggest taking them together. Several studies show that this combination improves joints more effectively and consistently than taking them separately.

Yet, research still gives mixed results when these supplements are taken together. Only about 80% of participants in these studies reported a reduction of 20% in their joint pain. Furthermore, researchers consider that these results aren’t conclusive, meaning that more rigorous studies are needed to fully confirm these effects.

However, some experts agree that this combination of supplements could be a solution for people that can’t take prescription osteoarthritis medications. Glucosamine and chondroitin cause few side effects and are generally considered safe for most people.

There aren’t any known benefits to chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine that don’t relate to joint improvement. Several studies show that participants didn’t report any changes in their daily lives besides joint pain and stiffness relief.

However, this doesn’t mean that these compounds don’t have other beneficial properties. Research is still considerably limited, so experts may discover more properties in the future. For example, a 2006 review indicates that chondroitin sulfate may have anti-oxidative properties — although it’s unclear if they can affect systems outside your joints.

Similarly, chondroitin could potentially protect the eyes against fluids and lens fragments in surgery procedures. Doctors mostly use it during the preparation for cataract procedures. Yet, experts haven’t studied whether these effects have any use outside surgical procedures.

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are considered safe for most people, both when taken separately and when combined. Very few of the participants of the previously-mentioned studies reported side effects. Here are some possible side effects of chondroitin and glucosamine:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Headaches
• Skin rashes

Yet, some people may want to avoid taking these compounds if they aren’t under the supervision of a doctor. For example, people with diabetes or shellfish allergies could negatively react to glucosamine. Similarly, if you are pregnant or taking blood-thinning medications, you may want to check with a professional before taking these supplements.

If you don’t know if chondroitin and glucosamine are right for you, talk to a doctor or licensed nutritionist. A trained expert can tell you all you need about possible interactions with your medications or your current medical conditions.