Can Supplementation Help?
Studies suggest that through supplementation, we can increase the quality of the glyco-amino glycans, and increase the body’s ability to make and use chondroitin sulfate. Studies of this show the safety of long term use of purified chondroitin sulfates, and how oral levels of purified chondroitin sulfates can be absorbed and utilized by the body.
Another example of a chondroprotective agent is glucosamine. Glucosamine is manufactured by the chondrocytes. Glucosamine is necessary to manufacture chondroitin sulfates. Glucosamine is necessary to make collagen. Glucosamine is also necessary to make the backbone of the proteoglycans—remember the bottle brushes?
The backbone of the proteoglycan molecule is called hyaluronan. Let’s take the handle of our bottle brush and stick 20 or 30 on a long protein molecule. The protein molecule, or stem-like structure is called hyaluronan. Your doctor can suggest further reading if you wish to know intricacies. But for our discussion, glucosamine feeds or primes the chondrocytes to make materials for healthy cartilage.
Remember the chondrocytes create cartilage, building materials (namely glucosamine) and cartilage “chewing”enzymes. By supplementing additional glucosamine, new research suggests that chondrocytes will switch back toward cartilage repair mode.
Read:
Understanding Joint Care and Repair
The make up of Cartilage Part 1
The make up of Cartilage Part 2
Protecting and Repairing Cartilage
Hyaluronic Acid for Joint Health
Can Supplementation Help