John Arts                   Abundant Living                   www.johnarts.co.nz

Chondroitin sulphate is classified as a Dietary Supplement in NZ but in Europe is available on prescription where it’s classified as “a symptomatic slow-acting drug for osteoarthritis”.
The drug classification then goes on to give specific information:
“Chondroitin sulphate, used with glucosamine, is indicated to alleviate pain and inflammation from primary osteoarthritis. This supplement is reported to improve joint function and slow disease progression.’
(www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB09301)
I recently read a health store flyer in my morning newspaper. One promotion was for a glucosamine based joint product. There is no doubt that glucosamine can help joints. That is why I include it in my joint formula. But why is there no mention of chondroitin?
The company is a large international company that would clearly know about the benefits of chondroitin.
What then could be the reason for not including therapeutic amounts of chondroitin? For that matter, why do most joint products sold in NZ have either no chondroitin or so little to have negligible impact on joint health? I think the answer is quite simple. Good quality chondroitin costs almost ten times that of glucosamine.
My preference is to have equal proportions of chondroitin and glucosamine and for most people to start at a double dose.
The standard daily dose of my joint supplement delivers 800mg of both ingredients while the double dose 1600mg each.
This combined with fully water soluble, high bioavailability BioSolve curcumin (from turmeric) extract can quickly settle sore joints. I usually add Omega 3 fish oil rather than plant Omega 3 sources as only fish oil has EPA which is profoundly anti-inflammatory.
As an example, I have been helping someone for several years with sore knees caused by osteoarthritis. He is much more comfortable and mobile and feeling so much better about life in general. In his own words, “I have stopped limping and now telling everyone”.
John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd.
For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz  Join his all new newsletter at
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