Do you need chondroprotectors

What are chondroprotectors

Chondroprotectors are drugs and supplements that, in theory, should protect the joints or reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Their active ingredients are called glycosaminoglycans. These are such long carbohydrate chains (polysaccharides) with nitrogen atoms. These molecules fill the intercellular space in the bones and are contained in the joint fluid. The main ones are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates.

Do chondroprotectors work

In vitro studies, both glucosamine and chondroitin showed good result. They :

• reduce the amount of inflammatory mediators;
• give building material for bones and joints;
• stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, which reduces friction of the articular surfaces;
• inhibit osteoclasts - cells that are responsible for the destruction of bone.

But to achieve the same concentration in blood impossible, therefore, to transfer the results to a living organism not worth it. People most often report a reduction in pain after taking it. And this is a subjective criterion.

Chondroprotectors are included in Russian clinical guidelines for the treatment of osteoarthritis, and with the highest level of evidence - A. This means that the doctors who wrote the recommendations have strong evidence of the effectiveness of the drugs.

However, in the Cochrane efficacy review (the most unbiased test in terms of evidence-based medicine), the conclusions are not so rosy: efficacy studies are not always were carried out correct, and the effectiveness of drugs is slightly better than placebo. I must say that the review affected only drugs that are recognized as medicines. Supplements, on the other hand, contain fewer active ingredients than the manufacturer claims, so the effectiveness will be even lower.

In American and European recommendations for the treatment of osteoarthritis, chondroprotectors No.

Can chondroprotectors harm

For now countsthat chondroprotectors are as safe as placebo. There have been very rare reports that these drugs may disrupt carbohydrate metabolism in people with insulin resistance and diabetes, provoke atherosclerosis and exacerbate asthma. But this has not been confirmed by other studies. Therefore, most likely it is not. Usually, when taking chondroprotectors, only indigestion occurs from side effects.

But they should not be taken at the same time as blood-thinning drugs and NSAIDs, because they amplify action and cause bleeding.

Who needs to drink chondroprotectors

Chondroprotectors appoint with osteoarthritis and other degenerative diseases of the joints, that is, when the cartilage is destroyed. The problem with these states is that they it is forbidden turn back. You can slow down or stop the destruction for a while, and if the joint is already destroyed, change it to a new one.

So chondroprotectors can continue to drink to people who think they help, if they no longer have other options. For example, when it comes to an elderly person who, due to chronic diseases, is not indicated for surgery and who believes that chondroprotectors help him. In this case, let him already drink: the placebo effect is also an effect.

And in other cases, there is no point in chondroprotectors. Better stick to normal weight and do not forget about moderate physical activity.