Both chondroitin and glucosamine serve central purposes in the make up of connective tissue and joints.
A relatively simple molecule, glucosamine is available in several supplemental forms, including N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG), glucosamine hydrochloride, and glucosamine sulfate. When stabilized with a mineral salt, such as potassium or sodium chloride, the form glucosamine sulfate (GS) is the only form in clinical tests that consistently proves useful in treating people diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA).
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) has also been shown to be effective in treating patients with OA. It is a much more complex and larger molecule the GS, and just like glucosamine, it is a key component of cartilage and has been the focus of numerous research studies.
Several patients take a combination of GS, or glucosamine HCL, and CS to treat their osteoarthritis. This may be due in part to a idea, presented in a top-selling book, suggesting that GS and CS are more effective together than either one is alone.
This concept, though appealing and probably harmless, is based only on theories, anecdotes, and assumptions. Concrete evidence has yet to be discovered.
by the Harvard School of Public Health
It has been asked by millions of people “If you eat a healthy diet, do you need to take vitamins?” Not very long ago, the common answer from most experts and professionals would have been an emphatic "no". However, today there's quite a bit of evidence that taking a daily multivitamin makes good sense for most adults.
by the Mayoclinic Staff
Given the popularity and availability of “high potency” amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes and herbs, it might seem like dietary supplements could replace food as a source of the nutrients the body requires. However, this is not the case.
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