|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is There Vegetarian Chondroitin? |
Because of the demand for
vegetarian chondroitin and glucosamine, a handful of companies have
attempted to develop such products. Since chondroitin can also be produced
from fungus or algae, there are chondroitin forms available for vegetarians,
vegans, or those on a Kosher diet.
The downside is that the vegetarian chondroitin products are almost always
far more expensive than the non vegetarian chondroitin counterparts.
Another thing you should check for when looking for a vegetarian chondroitin
supplement is if the capsule is also vegetarian. Many capsules are made from
animal gelatin so be sure to check the capsule ingredients as well.
Unfortunately, Arthritin does contains animal products and is not a
vegetarian chondroitin and glucosamine source. Glucosamine and chondroitin
are commonly used for joint health and to treat osteoarthritis. Chondroitin
is commonly derived from shark, cow, pig or chicken cartilage.
Additional Glucosamine Articles: Knee and Joint Pain
Vegetarian Glucosamine Chondroitin ~ Best Glucosamine ~ Osteoarthritis of Knee ~ Glucosamine Chondroitin with MSM ~ Glucosamine Benefits ~ Glucosamine Powder ~ Glucosamine Dosage
Glucosamine and chondroitin bask in the limelight as the celebrated supplements for arthritis. Because both have animal-base ingredients, finding a vegetarian chondroitin source is not possible. Over 40 medical research studies report fact, information and proof that these two darlings in the arthritis relief realm truly live up to their claims. Additionally, glucosamine side effects are generally low in frequency and severity.
Given the positive research study and medical report results, arthritis researchers, doctors and the general public alike have no choice but to take these supplements seriously.
Glucosamine
Side Effects:
Glucosamine supplements are generally well tolerated with few side effects.
A recent glucosamine study showed that less than one percent of study
participants experienced glucosamine side effects. Common glucosamine side
effects reported are intestinal gas, stomach upset, heartburn
and/or loose stool.
People with diabetes or allergies to shellfish should consult their
physician before taking glucosamine supplements. People using blood-thinning
medications should consult their physician before using chondroitin.
Glucosamine supplements are derived from chitin (shellfish). People with
allergies to shellfish should consult their doctor before taking
glucosamine. Although most shellfish allergies are caused by proteins in
shellfish and not chitin, a carbohydrate, an allergic shellfish reaction is
one possible side effect of glucosamine.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar and can theoretically lead to increased blood
sugar in people with diabetes. Clinical studies of glucosamine do not
support that. However, it is always best that people with diabetes consult
their physician before using glucosamine sulfate products. People with
diabetes using glucosamine should check their blood sugar levels more
frequently as a precaution.
Children, pregnant women and women breastfeeding should also consult their
doctor before using glucosamine or any other over-the-counter supplement.
The overall report of these numerous studies is that glucosamine and chondroitin reduce pain for osteoarthritis sufferers and improves joint structure. Glucosamine alone is shown to significantly reduce pain in about 4 out of 5 people.
A 1982 medical research study compared ibuprofen with glucosamine for osteoarthritis of the knee. Although ibuprofen showed greater benefit in pain reduction in the first two weeks of the study, glucosamine sulfate showed greater pain relief benefit after two weeks. Overall, 44 percent of those taking glucosamine sulfate did report pain relief compared to the 15 percent using ibuprofen. The reported glucosamine side effects were low.
A 1982 medical study involving 252 doctors and over 1,500 patients provided information for glucosamine sulfate dosage and use for osteoarthritis. This study showed that 95 percent of patients did report pain reduction while using glucosamine chondroitin. Patients used 500 mg of glucosamine sulfate three times a day for 50 days in this research study.
A 2000 double-blind medical research study compared 57 patients with osteoarthritis in the knee. One group was treated for four weeks with glucosamine sulfate combined with chondroitin sulfate daily. The other group received a placebo. The placebo group did not have reduction of arthritis symptoms. The group using glucosamine chondroitin sulfate showed reduced symptoms in all functions. Additionally, the group using glucosamine chondroitin sulfate showed no negative reactions or changes in their blood tests. The study concluded that glucosamine sulfate is safe for long-term osteoarthritis treatment. The reported glucosamine side effects were low.
A prominent medical research study involved 212 patients worldwide was the first long-term study to prove that glucosamine stops joint deterioration. The study began in 1999, with study information released in 2001.Patients in this 3-year glucosamine fact study were given either 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate daily or a placebo, with x-rays and pain measurements taken every four months. The placebo group showed joint deterioration while the glucosamine group experienced improvements in joint conditions and reduced arthritis symptoms. Conclusions of this study officially placed glucosamine sulfate as a possible disease modifying agent for knee arthritis, elbow arthritis and other forms of osteoarthritis.
A 2000 North Carolina medical research study showed glucosamine benefited female Fibromyalgia patients. Study information show that glucosamine sulfate provided improved pain relief in 65 percent of fibromyalgia patients in this study.
Another 2000 medical research study, this one conducted by Jean-Yves Reginister, MD, PhD, showed that patients taking glucosamine had superior improvements in joint health over patients who did not use glucosamine. The reported glucosamine side effects were low.
A 1998 double-blind study examined chondroitin side effects and effectiveness of osteoarthritis of the knee on 85 patients. One group received 400mg of chondroitin sulfate twice daily for six months while the other group received a placebo. At six months, physicians rated the improvement for the chondroitin sulfate group as "good" or "very good" in 69% of patients. Only 32 percent in the placebo group receive improved scores.
The safety of glucosamine also passed the test. Of almost 1,500 patients participating in 13 double-blind, placebo-controlled medical research studies on glucosamine, only seven - less than one-half of one percent - withdrew because of glucosamine related side effects.
Glucosamine MSM side effects are and similar to those of plain glucosamine.
Though chondroitin receives much less research attention than glucosamine, the research performed on chondroitin provide information that places chondroitin as an integral component of joint health and pain relief.
Like chondroitin, there are a number of other nutritional, herbal or homeopathics - Boswellia Serrata, Yucca, shark cartilage, Feverfew and White Willow Bark to name a few - that receive less research attention but are still widely relied upon for their arthritis relief properties.
The most comprehensive arthritis supplements combine glucosamine, chondroitin and a broad spectrum of other elements known to aid joint health and pain relief. A broader range of coverage is provided by using a nutraceutical blend for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and other related arthritis conditions.
Arthritin offers a more broad range of ingredients than most arthritis natural pain relief products. Because the ingredients are better balanced, the chance of glucosamine side effects are extremely low.