Glucosamine is one of the best dietary supplements for osteoarthritis treatment. It is available in combination with methylsulfonylmethane (msm) or chondroitin. Today I would like to share some information with you about glucosamine chondroitin, msm and their health benefits.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of joints such as pain, redness, swelling and loss of function. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. Osteoarthritis (loss of cartilage) is one of the most common forms of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are also the other forms of arthritis which we can generally see .
Why Cartilage is Important?
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue present in many areas in the body including the joints between bones, the ear, the nose, the rib cage, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs.
Cartilage is composed of specialized cells called chondroblasts which produce a large amount of extracellular matrix including the collagen fibers. Cartilage functions as a cushion to the bones and joints. It is not as rigid and hard as bone but stiffer and less flexible than muscle. It does not contain blood vessels. Compared to other connective tissues, cartilage grows and repairs more slowly.
Cartilage is classified in to three types such as elastic cartilage, fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage, which differs in the relative amount of these three main components
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease, characterized by gradual loss of cartilage covering the bones (hyaline cartilage) and eventually completely worn out resulting in a “bone against bone” joint, pain and reduced motion. Osteoarthritis mainly affects the weight-bearing joints such as hip and knee joints. Therefore this is considered as a result of “wear and tear” rather than a true disease. This condition is treated by replacement of the joint by a synthetic joint, often made by a stainless steel alloy and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
Common osteoarthritis treatment mainly focuses on the therapy of symptoms such as pain reduction, to delay the cartilage degeneration and to regenerate the cartilage.
Risk Factors for the Development of Osteoarthritis?
The nature of the initiating osteoarthritis is often unknown, although many processes involved in the development of OA are known. Some of the risk factors are
#1. Age
During aging the articular cartilage (a type of hyaline cartilage) softens. The ability to repair the cartilage extracellular matrix decreases with age.
Aging also leads to reduced strength and muscle weight, which in turn decreases joint stability and causes misalignment. This may lead to abnormal mechanical stress on the joint and cause cartilage degeneration.
#2. Overweight and Obesity
Overweight and obesity is another commonly accepted risk factor for osteoarthritis. A recent meta-analysis found the incidence of comorbidity (one or more disorders) related to overweight and obesity. The results showed that overweight and obesity leads to higher risk of osteoarthritis.
#3. Genetic Determinations
A number of studies suggested that genetic determinants had strong influence on OA.
A classic twin study in which twins were radiologically screened for osteoarthritis showed a clear genetic influence (39-65%) on hand and knee OA. Several genetic deformities have been identified that are responsible for the onset and progression of osteoarthritis. These gene variations result in defects of cartilage and extracellular matrix composition and metabolism.
#4. Dysplasia
Patients with developmental dysplasia (abnormality in development) of joints, such as hip dysplasia (hip dislocation) develop osteoarthritis much earlier than normal individuals.
#5. Misalignment
If the joints are misaligned then it leads to a reduced contact area within the joint resulting in locally elevated pressure on the cartilage and leads to progression or onset of OA.
#6. Injuries
Injuries occurred to the joint surface or the ligaments are also associated with the development of osteoarthritis. Injuries can often leads to uneven load distribution in the joint.
To overcome all these problems, the main goal of osteoarthritis treatment is to delay cartilage degeneration and even help to cartilage regeneration. One approach in this direction is the treatment with chondroprotectives such as glucosamine to prevent, delay or repair the joint injuries.
How Glucosamine Help You in Osteoarthritis?
Glucosamine is an amino sugar, a natural chemical found in the body which supports the structure and function of joints.
Glucosamine msm is a precursor of glycosaminoglycans which is a major component of joint cartilage. But natural glucosamine levels drop as people age and leads to gradual deterioration of joints.
Hence, Glucosamine tablets or Glucosamine supplement are recommended to influence the cartilage structure and helps to alleviate the arthritis.
Glucosamine occurs in different forms such as
- Glucosamine sulfate
- Glucosamine hydrochloride
- N-acetyl glucosamine
Glucosamine sulfate is commonly used for treatment for osteoarthritis as a dietary supplement and is often harvested from the shells of shellfish.
Glucosamine is generally recommended with other combination supplements such as methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) or Glucosamine chondroitin sulfate.
Some studies suggested that combination of glucosamine and MSM provides better and more rapid improvement in osteoarthritis patients.
Importance of Methylsulfonylmethane for Osteoarthritis
Methylsulfonylmethane is an organosulfur compound which occurs naturally in some primitive plants and present in small amounts in many foods and beverages.
MSM is a natural source of biologically active sulfur, which is an essential element for synthesis of collagen, enzymes and immunoglobin.
Some research studies have proved that methylsulfonylmethane has anti-inflammatory effects and helps in osteoarthritis knee pain relief.
Research studies conducted over MSM effect on allergies, snoring, chronic constipation, PMS, obesity, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease and lung disorders are concluded with poor evidence.
MSM is marketed as a dietary supplement often with a combination of glucosamine or chondroitin to help in the osteoarthritis treatment.
Some information about Calcium and Vitamin D
#1. Calcium
Calcium is an essential mineral for healthy bones and teeth in children and young adults. It also helps in nerve transmission and muscle contraction.
Calcium supplements are essential for elder patients to prevent osteoporosis (porous bones). Calcium intake also helps to control cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Calcium acts as a gastric antacid and helps to reduce diarrhea. It also may help to prevent breast, colorectal and ovarian cancers.
#2. Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of phosphate and calcium. Vitamin D helps in preventing or treating rickets, which caused due to vitamin D deficiency. It also helps to prevent fractures. Vitamin D along with calcium supplements helps to prevent hip fractures and may reduce the risk of falls in elder patients.
Health Benefits of Glucosamine and MSM Combination
#1. Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine with MSM is an excellent combination for osteoarthritis patients. It helps to regenerate cartilage or delay the process of cartilage degeneration.
#2. Arthritis
Glucosamine helps to reduce the symptoms of arthritis patients such as pain, swelling, redness and loss of function.
#3. Knee Pain
Glucosamine with MSM acts as a strong anti-inflammatory agent and provides relief from knee pain and joint pain.
#4. Bone Strength
This combination helps to improve the bone strength and flexibility and helps to reduce the risk of fractures.
Research Findings on Glucosamine and MSM
#1. A “Randomized double-blind parallel placebo-controlled study of glucosamine and MSM combination in osteoarthritis” concluded that the combination of glucosamine with MSM produced an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect and provides better improvement in osteoarthritis patients.
#2. A study conducted on “Glucosamine sulfate effect on osteoarthritis”, published in Bio Med Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that glucosamine sulfate showed substantial improvement in pain, stiffness and function in osteoarthritis patients.
#3. A study published in Bio Med Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine conducted a research on “Efficacy of MSM supplementation on osteoarthritis of knee” proved that long-term supplementation of MSM showed an improvement in pain and physical function.
#4. Research study on “Glucosamine long-term treatment and the progression of knee osteoarthritis”, published in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy suggested that glucosamine sulfate is more effective and safe in improving the symptoms of knee pain and in delaying the progression of osteoarthritis.
#5. Study on “Current role of glucosamine in the treatment of osteoarthritis” in Rheumatology concluded that glucosamine sulfate shown positive effects on structural and symptomatic outcomes of knee osteoarthritis.
#6. Arthritis & Rheumatism published a study on “Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee OA symptoms” found that glucosamine sulfate at a dosage of 1,500mg is more effective in treating knee OA symptoms.
#7. Research study on “Glucosamine sulfate compared to ibuprofen in OA of the knee”, published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage proved that glucosamine sulfate is as effective as ibuprofen on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. They also believed glucosamine sulfate as a safe symptomatic slow acting drug for osteoarthritis.
From the above information, you can accept that glucosamine sulfate with MSM combination is good for arthritis patients and provide relief from knee pain and joint pain.
Glucosamine and MSM along with calcium and vitamin D3 is an excellent combination for osteoarthritis treatment. So, choose a supplement that is having all these ingredients.
Share this information with your elders or people whom you know are suffering from arthritis and help them from getting it worsen.
References
#1. The effect of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis: design of a long-term randomized clinical trial. Rianne M Rozendaal et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2005; 6 (20): 1-7.
#2. Efficacy of the methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled study. Eytan M Debbi et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011; 11(50): 1-9.
#3. Comparison of glucosamine sulfate and a polyhedral supplement for the relief of osteoarthritis of the knee. Komal Mehta et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2007; 7 (34): 1-13.
#4. Randomized double-blind, parallel placebo-controlled study of glucosamine sulphate as an analgesic in osteoarthritis of the knee. Hughes et. al. Rheumatology. 2002; 41: 279-84.
#5. Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate on CartilageMetabolism in OA. Jorg Jerosch. International Journal of Rheumatology. 2011; 1-17.