Whether you are walking or running, young or old, your joints are the structures that move you efficiently through life. If you suffer from joint pain, arthritis, or even if you merely have stiff, aching joints, then it could be a warning that your joints need the nutritional support necessary to stay healthy. Millions of Americans suffer from joint pain and discomfort. Although Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS like Celecoxib, can offer temporary relief for joint pain, these medications do not address the underlying cause of the joint pain, and they do not come without a certain amount of risk if you consume them regularly. In July 2015, the FDA strengthened their warnings that the use of NSAID drugs can result in an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, and that this risk increases with longer uses of NSAIDS. The risks also increase within the first few weeks of use. NSAIDS are highly effective at reducing pain, but they are not the only therapy approach for reducing joint pain. Studies have found that chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and MSM also offer some respite from conditions like painful knee osteoarthritis.

Joint Structure

Your joints rely on a number of structures to ensure they can absorb the impact of movement to protect the rest of the skeletal system. Each joint contains compounds like synovial fluid, cartilage, and ligaments that provide movement, strength, and flexibility to the joints. Cartilage, synovial fluid, and ligaments require the availability of various different compounds to maintain their structures. To repair and produce new cartilage, the body needs adequate amounts of chondroitin and glucosamine. Your joints are continuously being damaged by movement. This is why your body is constantly breaking down and absorbing the tissues that form healthy joints and replacing them with new, healthy tissue. If the body does not have the necessary building blocks for the repair and remodeling of joints, then the new joint tissue that is formed is not as strong or flexible. That is why it is vital to ensure your body has the right nutrients to form new, healthy joints and to repair damaged joints. Two of the most important compounds for this process are chondroitin and glucosamine.

Chondroitin and Joint Health

Chondroitin is found naturally in the body, and it is a crucial part of supporting the health and structure of connective tissues, particularly those that make up the tendons and cartilage of the joints. Chondroitin supplements are generally produced from cartilage harvested from bovine or shark sources, and chondroitin can be manufactured commercially. It is therefore important to find out the source of the chondroitin if you are sensitive or allergic to fish or shellfish. Chondroitin plays a vital role in supporting your joints’ ability to absorb and release fluid. Your cartilage absorbs and releases fluid depending on what the function of the joint is at that particular time, and this fluid provides some of the shock absorbing abilities of the joint. It is therefore important to ensure your joints have sufficient chondroitin. Chondroitin may help to block the enzymes that are responsible for breaking down cartilage. These two functions may account for the benefits of taking a chondroitin supplement for joint health. In a study published in 2015, researchers showed that the consumption of chondroitin in conjunction with glucosamine was effective at reducing joint pain, stiffness, and joint swelling, and the effect of supplementation was comparable to Celecoxib, a NSAID often prescribed for joint pain.

Glucosamine for Joint Health

The body does not only produce chondroitin, but also produces a compound called glucosamine, which it uses to build healthy joints. Your joints are continuously taking the impact of movement, and they are therefore constantly being repaired and remodeled by the body. To repair and remodel the joints, your body needs sufficient amounts chondroitin and glucosamine, along with sulfur, to form the right bonds to strengthen the joints. Glucosamine is also available in supplement form, and is often found in conjunction with chondroitin and sulfur. A supplement that contains all three components can help to provide the body with the building blocks needed for healthy joints. In a study on supplementation with glucosamine for joint pain, researchers discovered that a supplement that contained both glucosamine and MSM was more effective than supplementation with glucosamine or MSM alone in helping to relieve the pain and inflammation associated with joint pain. A supplement like Glucosamine & Chondroitin + MSM by Protocol For Life Balance is an easy way to ensure your daily diet contains sufficient glucosamine, chondroitin, and sulfur to ensure your body can repair and produce new healthy joint tissue.