Not just for joint care: 5 benefits of taking glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin you need to know

If you're one of the estimated 10 million people in the UK thought to have osteoarthritis, you might have tried taking a regular glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin supplement to help your symptoms. Glucosamine has long been recommended to protect and maintain joint tissue and help improve mobility and reduce pain in arthritis sufferers. And the science says it works too! A recent study showed that taking a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin was just as effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain and swelling as NSAID drugs (without the side effects – hurrah!). So it's definitely worth adding this dynamic duo to your supplement regime if you're living with joint pain and arthritis.

But did you know relief from osteoarthritis symptoms isn't the only reason to take glucosamine and chondroitin? A research study of almost half a million people in 2020 found those who regularly took glucosamine supplements had a lower risk of dying from any cause. Especially heart disease, cancer, lung or digestive system conditions. So it seems that glucosamine and chondroitin could provide all kinds of additional benefits to your general health too! Read on to find out just some of them, plus what glucosamine and chondroitin are and how they work.

What are glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin and what's the best way to take them?

Produced naturally in the body, glucosamine and chondroitin are compounds found in your connective tissue and cartilage. When taken as a supplement, they act as natural anti-inflammatories, helping to slow down the deterioration of cartilage throughout your body and reducing pain.

You can take glucosamine and chondroitin separately, but combining them is believed to increase how well they work. This combination has also been more extensively studied than taking them on their own, and has more evidence to support its effectiveness. So we'd recommend taking them in tandem if you really want to feel the benefit.

There are different types of glucosamine on the market, but research shows joint flexibility and range of motion show significantly more improvement with glucosamine sulphate (& chondroitin), rather than hydrochloride. Our Glucosamine & Chondroitin patch, contains this form of glucosamine, plus anti-inflammatories curcumin and MSM. Everything you need for reducing joint pain and stiffness.

When taken orally, glucosamine can upset your stomach. Not only will this put a dampener on your day by making you feel rubbish, it can also lessen the amount of glucosamine absorbed into your body. By using a patch instead, you'll avoid any unwanted side effects and increase your absorption too – ta dah!

What are the main benefits of taking glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin:

1. Can help to reduce osteoarthritis symptoms:

Glucosamine is essential for maintaining joint mobility and flexibility. It helps your body to make chemicals and proteins that repair cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It also improves the production of synovial fluid – a slippery liquid that helps your joints pass smoothly over one another. As you get older, your body's ability to make glucosamine naturally declines. Round about the same time you're likely to feel some wear and tear in your joints – typical!

The challenges of osteoarthritis range from annoying niggles, such as sore joints, to more serious mobility issues. Many people view these symptoms as an inevitable part of getting older, but that’s not always the case. In fact, something as simple as taking glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin every day could make a big difference.

If you've been having joint issues, it's worth topping up with a supplement to give your levels a leg up. As mentioned earlier, just make sure you're taking glucosamine sulphate rather than hydrochloride. Studies show joint flexibility improves more with sulphate and it's the one most Doctors recommend taking. Glucosamine sulphate is also thought to be particularly effective in treating knees. So, if your knees have been complaining lately, you know what to do! The Glucosamine & Chondroitin patch is here.

2. You could reduce inflammation levels in your body:

Chronic systemic inflammation can lead to all sorts of health problems that you don't want. Heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis for starters. But guess what? As well as treating localised inflammation in your joints, studies have shown glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin are also effective at lowering inflammation levels throughout the body. Especially when taken together.

One piece of research showed that taking glucosamine for 28 days lowered C-reactive protein (a biomarker that shows you have inflammation in your body) by an average of 23% – impressive! And glucosamine is associated with a lower risk of developing conditions that can be triggered by inflammation. For example, type 2 diabetes. Lower levels of inflammation also means you're likely to feel better physically, and lessen your chances of developing chronic conditions. Another reason to give glucosamine a go!

3. Runner or gym lover? Glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin can help prevent injuries:

Not only will taking a glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin supplement help you manage joint pain and inflammation. It could also have a protective effect on your joints too. A must if you're a fan of exercises that can be hard on the joints, like road running or team sports. One recent study found that taking glucosamine supplements for just 3 months significantly decreased cartilage breakdown in football and professional rugby players.

And if it's too late and you've already got an injury? These supplements could help you make a more rapid recovery. Research has shown that glucosamine and chondroitin inhibit the inflammatory pathways in human synovial cells. This means they could help reduce pain, swelling, and limited movement in an injured joint, potentially enabling you to get back on your feet faster than if you weren't taking a supplement.

4. Glucosamine and chondroitin could help protect your bones:

Post-menopausal and worried about the risks of osteoporosis? While there's no substitute for exercises like strength training and lifting weights to protect your bones from weakening, it's definitely worth considering taking a glucosamine sulphate & chondroitin supplement alongside your workouts.

Several studies have been done which suggest that glucosamine supplements can help prevent the progression of osteoporosis in women after menopause. More research is needed to fully understand exactly how this works, but it's thought glucosamine helps reduce the weakening of bones by supporting healthy bone growth. So, if you're concerned about developing osteoporosis glucosamine could help you.

5. These supplements are good for your gut too:

If poor gut health is getting you down, glucosamine and chondroitin might help to settle your symptoms. Taking this supplement is associated with reduced bloating and fewer IBS issues like constipation and hard stools. But what goes on inside your tummy when you take glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin is perhaps even more exciting!

Studies have shown that supplementation is linked to an increase in gut microbiota diversity – exactly what you want for a healthy microbiome (if you'd like to find out more about the gut microbiome read our blog here)! And that's not all – taking these supplements also seems to go hand in hand with reduced levels of strains of 'bad' bacteria in the gut. Resulting in a happier, healthier gut and less IBS-type symptoms.

If you do have digestive issues, your absorption might be subpar, so we'd recommend using a patch rather than an oral supplement. This will ensure you’re making the most of yet another brilliant benefit this anti-inflammatory duo could offer.