Nutritional Supplements

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are the most common nutritional/diet supplements used in the treatment of arthritis pain and inflammation. Patients who suffer from osteoarthritis may benefit from taking these supplements. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs most often in older people. This disease affects the tissue covering the ends of bones in a joint (cartilage).In a person with osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes damaged and worn out causing pain, swelling, stiffness and restricted movement in the affected joint.

Naturally, these supplements are found in the human bones, while their artificial origin is abstracted from animal products. These nutritional supplements may help alleviate joint pain and perhaps even slow the breakdown of cartilage or restore the joint cartilage. These are one option among the non-surgical treatment options employed to reduce pain in joint diseases. Patients taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate dietary supplements along with other osteoarthritis treatments may attain optimal levels of relief from osteoarthritis-related joint pain.

The regular dosage level for the supplements varies according to the age and weight of the individual.

Adverse effects:

The common side effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate may include:

• Stomach upset
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Burning sensation in the chest

These supplements should be taken with food to reduce some of these side effects. Always talk to your doctor before you start taking these supplements. .

Contraindications:

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate supplements are not appropriate for everyone. Therefore they should be taken only under medical supervision in the following groups of patients:

• Diabetic patients
• Pregnant/Breast-feeding women
• Young children
• Patients allergic to shellfish

Patients on Anticoagulant (Coumadin) therapy