Jarrow Formulas Glucosamine and Chondroitin and MSM, Supports Joint Health, 120 Caps

It is often suggested that there are three requirements to keep cartilage healthy: water for lubrication, proteoglycans to attract and hold the water, and collagen to keep the proteoglycans in place. Proteoglycans are large molecules made of protein and carbohydrates. They hold water like a sponge, helping to make cartilage resilient.

Glucosamine is a major building block of the water-loving proteoglycans. Not surprisingly, the very presence of glucosamine stimulates the production of more proteoglycans. In fact, for many years glucosamine has been successfully used for supporting and promoting healthy joint cartilage maintenance.* This has been demonstrated by experimental as well as clinical studies, in which glucosamine led to functional joint improvement.* Several studies have shown that besides stimulating the production of cartilage, glucosamine may significantly help to maintain joint function.* Patients taking glucosamine for up to three years seem to have significantly less knee joint degeneration, less joint space narrowing, and increased levels of comfort when compared with placebo. In one study of 1,208 patients supplemented with glucosamine, 95% of the patients enjoyed a positive response. Glucosamine was even reported to have continued working six to 12 weeks after usage had stopped. Many clinical trials show that taking glucosamine supports functionality compared to placebo, but other trials do not find such conclusive results.*

Although usually studied independently, some reports have indicated that glucosamine and chondroitin work synergistically. Chondroitin is the perfect complement to glucosamine since chondroitin acts like a biological version of a “liquid magnet,” attracting fluid into proteoglycans. This fluid acts as a shock absorber and also brings nutrients with it into the cartilage. Perhaps of greater significance than its fluid-enhancing properties, chondroitin protects existing cartilage through its modulatory effects on enzymes that degrade cartilage.* Furthermore, like glucosamine, chondroitin stimulates the production of proteoglycans and collagen that are needed for healthy cartilage.* In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the effectiveness of chondroitin was evaluated for promoting joint health in the knee. In this study, 300 human subjects were given either 1200 mg chondroitin or placebo once per day for two years. The group receiving the placebo had progressive joint space narrowing, while the those receiving chondroitin showed no change in mean joint space width.*

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring, sulfur-containing compound that is present in body fluids and tissues and is found in milk, fruits, vegetables, and grains (in small amounts). Animal research has shown that joints with lower levels of cartilage also have low sulfur content. In one animal study, the effect of prolonged oral administration of MSM was examined in relation to joint health. It was found that MSM produced positive effects on joint health. *

In a preliminary double-blind trial in human subjects with suboptimal joint function, daily supplementation with MSM promoted joint comfort after six weeks.* In a separate placebo-controlled trial, researchers studied 50 men and women who also had suboptimal joint function. These men and women were given MSM daily or a placebo for 12 weeks. The MSM group fared much better in the areas of comfort and physical function compared to the placebo group.*