Chondroitin sulfate is a chemical that is normally found in cartilage around joints in the body.
Chondroitin sulfate is manufactured from animal sources, such as cow cartilage.
Chondroitin sulfate is used for osteoarthritis. It is often used in combination with other products,
including manganese ascorbate, glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, or N-acetyl glucosamine.
Research from a couple of decades ago showed that chondroitin sulfate helped arthritis pain when taken
with conventional medicines, such as aspirin, for pain and swelling. But later research wasn’t so positive. Now, scientists believe that, overall, chondroitin sulfate may reduce arthritis pain slightly.
Some people use chondroitin sulfate for heart disease, weak bones (osteoporosis), and high cholesterol.
Chondroitin sulfate is also used in a complex with iron for treating iron-deficiency anemia.
Chondroitin sulfate is available as an eye drop for dry eyes. In addition, it is used during cataract surgery, and
as a solution for preserving corneas used for transplants. It is approved by the FDA for these uses.
Some people with arthritis use ointments or skin creams for pain that contain chondroitin sulfate, in combination
with glucosamine sulfate, shark cartilage, and camphor. But as far as we know, chondroitin sulfate isn’t absorbed through the skin. That would mean that any benefit from these creams and ointments is due to some other ingredient.
There is great variability among chondroitin and chondroitin plus glucosamine products. Some products contain no chondroitin despite label claims, while others contain more chondroitin than the label shows. Price isn’t always a guarantee of quality. Low-cost chondroitin products (less than $1 per 1200 mg chondroitin) seem to contain little chondroitin, but some higher-priced products may also contain less chondroitin than claimed.
Look out for chondroitin plus glucosamine combination products that also contain manganese (e.g., CosaminDS). Be sure to follow product directions. When taken at doses slightly higher than the recommended dose, these products can sometimes supply more than the safe daily intake of manganese, which is 11 mg per day. Taking more than 11 mg per day of manganese might significantly poison the central nervous system.
How does it work?
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints breaks down. Taking chondroitin sulfate, one of the building blocks of cartilage, might slow this breakdown.
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