Chondroitin

Chondroitin sulfate comprises of mucopolysaccharides and is the primary component of cartilage. It is sulfur rich and is classified as a category of glycosaminoglycan. It is related to glucosamine. The most noteworthy food source of chondroitin sulfate are non-vegetarian foods. Chondroitin sulfate comprises of alternating sugars of N-acetylgalactosamine and glucuronic acid.

It is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan and is usually attached to proteins as proteoglycan. A chondroitin chain can have over 100 individual sugars. Each sugar can be sulfated in different positions and quantities.

Chondroitin sulfate is a primary component of extra cellular matrix, and aids in keeping up with the structural integrity of the body’s tissue. This particular function is analogous to large accumulating proteoglycans, namely, versican, neurocan, brevican and aggrecan.
It is also an important structural feature of cartilage and helps in overcoming compression. The highly charged sulfate groups synthesize electrostatic repulsion, which in turn offers resistance against compression. Deficiency of cartilage chondroitin is one of the major contributing factors for osteoarthritis. Chondroitin sulfate in unison with glucosamine is used as a dietary supplement in osteoarthritic patients, resulting in osteoarthritis reversal.

Oral consumption of glucosamine and chondroitin may boost the pace of new cartilage development. This is done by supplying the necessary building blocks. This is the reason behind the utilization of these supplements in osteoarthritis treatment. Chondroitin is recommended for cardiac arrests and myocardial infarction. 50-100 mg of chondroitin is recommended every day to curtail osteoarthritis, under the physician’s guidance. This is given intradermally. Chondroitin may also be pooled with vitamin C. Intake more than 10 grams per day results in nausea. No other side effects are reported.
Chondroitin provides configuration and holds water and nutrients, but it allows other molecules to progress through cartilage. There is no blood supply to the cartilage. Therefore, joint remedy is greatly improved through supplementation. Chondroitin and similar compounds also exist in the bladder and vessel lining. Here they help to prevent atypical progress of urine, blood, or components across the barrier of the vessel or bladder wall. Chondroitin sulfate in synovial fluid collected from the temporomandibular joint acts as a marker of the harm, and that chondroitin acts as an indicator in determining the thickness and suppleness of tissues and fluids.

Dietary deficiency is not seen, as chondroitin is synthesized by the body. Chondroitin sulfate may be used to re-establish and revamp cartilage in the osteoarthritic joints. In atherosclerotic individuals, 5 grams per day, twice with meals is advised, and the amount is reduced to 500 mg thrice a day after a few months. Such high amounts, is recommended under the guidance of a nutritionally oriented doctor. 400 mg three times per day is the level for osteoarthritic patients. Chondroitin is often combined with supplement glucosamine, another reliever of arthritic pain and inflammation. Chondroitin may also be used in combination with ascorbic acid. Higher than 10 gms consumption results in nausea. No other adverse side-effects have been monitored.

Submitted on September 4, 2008