Training & Nutrition - Anyone using supplements for joints and cartilage?

I was picking up some vitamins the other day and noticed a fair amount of supplements for joints and cartilage. Seems like a good idea if they help. Anyone using them or have any feedback?

Glucosamine-Chondroitin . . . good stuff.

My wife uses Glucosamine-Chondroitin for a hip realted problem.

I am thinking of starting to see if it offers any benefit for my old knees ... 3 surgeries to date. Cartilage is getting thin in there.

Originally posted by Aloner
Glucosamine-Chondroitin . . . good stuff.
Same here.

Glucosamine Sulfate here, I think it helps, so maby it does!;)

I take Tri-Flex from GNC and it is keeping my old football knees together.

here is the facts

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 3 Tablets
Servings Per Container: 40

Amount per Serving % Daily Value+


Sodium 100 mg 4%


Glucosamine HCI 1500 mg*

Chondroitin Sulfate, Sodium 1200 mg*

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) 900 mg*

* Daily Value not established.
+ Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower

The first time I tried three months of Glucosamine, I didn't think it did any good. Now I'm wondering whether "no improvement" was too much to wish for, given the degree of deterioration in my knees, shoulders, hips, and spine that I'm seeing.

The orthopod who's been looking at my knees recommends I try it again, so I am.

RichC

Thanks for the info everyone. I haven't had any knee or joint probs, but I played baseball & football for 10 years and I'm starting to put some miles on my road bike. I figured a good supplement could only help. I'll check my local store and pick up some Glucosamine Sulfate or Tri-Flex.

Originally posted by chaztrip
I take Tri-Flex from GNC...

Glucosamine HCI 1500 mg* ...

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) 900 mg*


chaztrip-
if you dont mind me asking how much is this for a months dose? these two compounds are also used for horses to help them with their joints and it makes all the difference for them
i am currently taking glucosamine but i had not been able to find msm (for people) yet
thanks

aluckyfiji, I just picked up 40 days supply of Triflex for 32.99, not including my GNC Gold Club Discount of I believe 10%.

what Bman said is about right!

I do know that I have been taking it for 2 months and I have not had the pain in my Knees and I ride about 100 miles a week right now. I do have a hip problem, but I think that is Muscle related.

Good luck!

How long should you expect to take it before noticing any results?

I take Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM. You can get it all at Walmart or Costco. A months supply is about $25. I use it for my hands as I play guitar a lot my finger joints used to really hurt. I can play all night lately with no pain or stiffness. I think it takes a few months to really have an effect, I've been using it over a year and its a big difference.

Glucosamine-Chondroitin seems to help my sore knee
Joe

Be careful if you are allergic to shellfish. I think it is derived from shellfish. I am very allergic to shellfish and taking it caused me to have chest cold like symptoms. Had to quite. Darn, football and karate really put my knees through the ringer.

I don't take any as I am vegetarian and I think they are mainly derived from animal cartilage.(Shark)?

If anyone knows a non animal supplement let me know

I swear by the stuff.

You have to take it for a while to see an effect, sometimes for more than a few months.

I used to have big ol' pains in my previously badly spained ankles before weather changes; they would just ache. Haven't had those in a long time and only once or twice last winter.

3 years ago my knees were x-rayed to see how bad my osteo-arthritis was. At that time I had mild to moderate, with spurring.

Recently had my left knee x-rayed, befor physical therapy and the radiologist came back with "basically no change" from the previous x-rays. All that time I had been taking glucosamine-chondroitin pills, msm and a liquid glucosamine supplement(supposed to be better absorbed), plus a general vitamin and general mineral supplement. I think they help, or at least they have helped me, along with the exercise I have been doing to stabilize the knees and legs.

If you have some joint damage, I don't think any of this stuff will get fix the damage, BUT I feel these joint supplements can keep the damage from increasing or getting worse. In any case, it's a hell of a lot cheaper and easier on my body than a knee replacement surgery would be.

Sure, I'd like to regain function, but not losing anymore function is VERY good too! Plus, overall I say that my joints are actually BETTER than they were 3 years ago, judging from my perception of how they feel. Exercise AND supplements, that's the ticket.

I have some stuff that I take on and off.

The ALTRUM Joint Formula is nutritional support for healthy joints, cartilage, and connective tissue. For years, arthritis sufferers could do little more than take anti-inflammatory agents for discomfort. Steroids have severe side effects and cease to work effectively when taken on a
continual basis and aspirin often upsets the gastrointestinal tract.
ALTRUM Joint Formula features a premium multiple-nutrient formula of the most important joint support ingredients, offering rapid results, while supporting long-term repair. Its reparative nutrients may allow users to reduce the dosage over time. Joint Formula is premium natural joint support so there are no side effects.
The Joint Formula is a multi-nutrient, joint support product for healthy joints, cartilage and connective tissue. This product’s effectiveness can be further enhanced with use of one of the ALTRUM Multis.

Runs me $15.25 for a 60 count.
My wife sells it.

The Joint Formula includes the effective ingredients of:
1.MSM (300 mg)- a form of organic sulfur essential for production of connective tissue for optimal joint health.
2.Boswellia (100 mg)- a natural herb used today as an anti-inflammatory agent for rheumatoid arthritis, lower back pain and osteoarthritis.
3.Chondroitin Sulfate (50 mg)- an all-natural nutrient important to the formation of cartilage. Healthy cartilage caps the ends of bones, acting as a shock absorber and reducing friction between moving parts.
4.Glucosamine HCL (300 mg)- a natural ingredient that acts as a joint lubricator, but as the body ages, its ability to produce glucosamine slows down.
5.Manganese (2 mg)- for the production of manganese containing enzymes that play a role in production of essential cartilage compounds

I just had a carpal tunnel operation on my hands. I also have arthritis in my knees. My hand surgeon highly recommended Glucosamine and Chondoritin, which he recommends for patients who have arthritis in their hands. So I picked up a bottle at Walmart, and have been taking it for 2-3 weeks. No results yet, but you have to take 3 a day for two months, and then go to one a day. It takes a while to build up, evidentally. 240 tablets cost me $29. Up until now, I have been taking 2 Aleve in the morning, and this has done a good job killing my knee pain. But I'm not sure Aleve is good for you over the long haul. Stay tuned. (The pill I'm taking is made by Spring Valley, and is a combo pill -- 500 mg Glucosamine and 400 mg Chondroitin).

Originally posted by roadbuzz
How long should you expect to take it before noticing any results?

the clinical trials done in europe showed an average of nine weeks before most participants noticed an significant effect.