Dietary supplements cartilage

Glucosamine is found in human tissue, is a substrate for the production of articular cartilage, and serves as a cartilage nutrient. Glucosamine is commercially derived from crabs and other crustaceans. As a dietary supplement, glucosamine is primarily used for pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. Sulfate and hydrochloride forms are available, but recent research has shown the hydrochloride form to be ineffective. 

It has been suggested that dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may help protect articular cartilage and halt or reverse joint degeneration in osteoarthritis. These two compounds are key ingredients needed for the production of several... 

This biopolymer acts as a flexible connecting matrix between the tough protein filaments in cartilage and is available as a dietary supplement, often combined with D-glucosamine sulfate. Some believe that the combination can strengthen and improve joint flexibility. 

Deficiency syndromes of Zn, Cu, Cr, Se and Mo have occurred in patients on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). There is still much research to be done in assessing the nutritional status of many elements and understanding their metabolism, so that normal dietary intake may be supplemented for health benefits. Table 2 is a summary of the amounts required, the functions and the nutritional (usually dietary) imbalances in humans, where known, of the essential trace elements.31-33 (Note that this summary does not attempt to include imbalances related to environmental toxicology and occupational hazards.) Several trace elements have important functions in the immune system. Some are associated with nucleic acid. Others have structural roles, such as Si in cartilage, F and Zn in bone. They may be parts of vitamins, such as Co in vitamin B12, or hormones, such as iodine in thyroid hormones, Zn and Cr have a role in the synthesis and action of insulin.31-33... 

As noted previously, neither Keshan disease nor Kashin-Beck disease are now thought to be simple dietary deficiency diseases. They probably also involve viral components and may be exacerbated by environmental toxins, including mycotoxins. Thus, they are probably multifactorial, but importantly, public health selenium supplementation interventions have had a dramatically beneficial effect on the prevalence of these diseases. The main clinical features of Keshan disease are cardiac insufficiency and enlargement, electrocardiographic changes, and fibrosis. Those of Kashin-Beck disease are osteoarthropathy and necrosis of the joints and epiphysial plate cartilage. Both diseases occur in school-age... 

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