| We know ageing catches up with all of us in the end, | | | | In studies done in the last decade results have shown |
| but exercise could keep your body working at its | | | | that individuals who use glucosamine and chondroitin |
| optimal capacity. It keeps you flexible, and strengthens | | | | supplements will exhibit pain relief at the same level |
| your muscles and all the body systems. | | | | that is similar to that of using nonsteroidal |
| Maintaining healthy good joints is no longer a tough | | | | anti-inflammatory medications. Some research also |
| task, joint supplements can aid in maintaining flexible | | | | indicates that the supplements can slow the damage |
| and strong joints. Glucosamine chondroitin often | | | | done to the cartilage from osteoarthritis. |
| referred to as one supplement as they are actually | | | | However, at this time there have been no definitive |
| two separate molecules and two different | | | | clinical research studies using double blind techniques |
| supplements that are present in normal cartilage. | | | | which has a positive results using these supplements. |
| Cartilage is the cushion that the body uses between | | | | At this time and in-depth clinical study is under way by |
| two bones to keep them from rubbing together inside | | | | the National Institutes of Health. |
| the joints. Cartilage protects the joints from breakdown | | | | Most clinical trials and research studies are funded by |
| and, ultimately, pain and degeneration. | | | | pharmaceutical companies who require prescriptions |
| Glucosamine and chondroitin are both found in | | | | from the physician in order to get the medication. |
| cartilage. Glucosamine is a form of amino acid that is | | | | Drug companies are in the business of making a profit |
| believed to play a role in the development of the | | | | so funding for clinical trials involving nutritional |
| cartilage and chondroitin is part of a large protein | | | | supplements is sparse. Nutritional supplements are not |
| molecule which give cartilage its elasticity. | | | | approved by the Food and Drug Administration which |
| Holistic medicine physicians and some researchers | | | | require intense clinical trials to prove any claims they |
| believe that by supplying the body with enough | | | | may make on the label. |
| glucosamine and chondroitin the body will make more | | | | Cartilage inside the joints undergoes a constant |
| and prevent or reduce the amount of cartilage | | | | process of breakdown and repair in any normal |
| damage. | | | | individual. However, to reap the benefits the body must |
| Both of these products are sold as dietary | | | | have the correct building blocks to build the cartilage. |
| supplements which have been extracted from animal | | | | Researchers theorize that by providing glucosamine |
| tissue. Glucosamine often is harvested from lobster | | | | and chondroitin in joint supplementation the necessary |
| shells or shrimp shells and chondroitin is usually | | | | factors will be president when cartilage is being |
| harvested from animal cartilage. | | | | repaired. |