John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

Glucosamine and chondroitin are often familiar words for those with osteoarthritis. But what are they? What do they do? Can they help? Is there research to suggest how these could be used? Today, we did a little deeper at glucosamine. Next time we'll look at chondroitin.

Glucosamine sulphate is a specialised form of sugar used to make hard shells in crustaceans; and in humans the building blocks of cartilage. Adding glucosamine seems to help cartilage function and perhaps cartilage renewal. Some suggest it may have an anti-inflammatory function.

Glucosamine was really put on the map with the prestigious medical journal ‘Lancet' publishing a study called ‘Glucosamine on osteoarthritis progression: A randomised placebo controlled clinical trial' (Reqinster, 2001).

This study followed more than 200 people during three years and compared a group taking glucosamine and those given a placebo. The authors concluded: 'The long-term combined structure-modifying and symptom-modifying effects of glucosamine sulphate suggest that it could be a disease modifying agent in osteoarthritis”.

My view is glucosamine can help but I rate this as less effective than similar doses of chondroitin. It is interesting that my old joint formula was mostly glucosamine and it did help a lot of people. However, my new formula, which is 50 per cent glucosamine, 45 per cent high grade chondroitin and five per cent curcumin, a 95 per cent extract from turmeric, has seen dramatically better results.

I always prefer to give individualised advice but in general terms, combining this formula with 4000-6000mg of fish oil can really help. I generally like to start with higher initial dose; often one-two months at doses of 1500mg of glucosamine, 1500mg of high grade chondroitin sulphate plus 200mg of 95 per cent curcumin. Give me a call or email john@abundant.co.nz if you need more information. Join my full weekly newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to: www.sunlive.co.nz