Chondoitrin sulfate is basically a sulfate made up of interspersed kinds of sugars like glucuronic acid and N-acetylgalactosamine. It is a part of proteoglycan, which is connected to proteins as one of its part.
Chondoitrin sulfate is a vital part of cartilage, which gives it resistance. Chondoitrin has been extracted during the 1960s, and is now being manufactured from both synthetic and natural sources such as cartilage from shark or bovine trachea.
Together with glucosamine, it has been claimed to be effective in improving or totally preventing osteoarthritis. Its safety, and effect that have been tested in both animals and humans, are not 100% proven and supported by all medical practitioners.
But even if this has been the case with further studies still ongoing, this has been widely used as a dietary supplement to cure osteoarthritis, and has become one of the popular treatments for arthritis. Aside from treating arthritis, it has also been deemed as a treatment for other illnesses like coronary artery diseases (but only as secondary prevention), interstitial cysts, psoriasis (although further research and studies are needed to validate if it can indeed cure psoriasis), and muscle soreness. It has also been found out to aid other medical conditions such as bladder control, iron absorption enhancement and have been used for other ophthalmologic concerns.
Chondoitrin sulfate allergytests are being conducted to patients who are given this as a prescription, in order to determine if it will be a suitable supplement for arthritis.
Caution is required if you are hypersensitive or allergic to chondoitrin sulfate products. Precautions in intake are specially given to individuals who are allergic to shellfish.
Symptoms of allergy to this substance include skin rashes associated with itchiness that may last several days upon contact. In some cases, when the allergy has been aggravated, the skin rashes might turn to hives that may swell the throat and restrict breathing.
Some of the common effects in the following list are not common and have found to be rare, (and some are even theoretical in nature). But still, if not taken cautiously the following might occur: temporary feelings of euphoria, headache, rash, breathing difficulties, elevated blood pressure, eyelid edema, photosensitivity, tightness in the throat or chest and motor uneasiness.
Most common side effects that are proven, on the other hand are gastrointestinal problems and stomach pains, especially if taken on an empty stomach.
Patients who use this are often wary and concerned about all these possible side effects. Although safety studies show that this is generally safe, chondoistrin sulfate is scientifically discovered to be tolerated by the system for up to three years.
You should never take chondoitrin sulfate supplements on your own, and must always consult your doctor as to the dosage and proper intake. Significant findings have proven that the use of chondroitin sulfate provides significant relief compared to other over-the-counter drugs. Since this is an unregulated drug, you can easily get them in a drug store, but it is still strongly recommended to consult a doctor for allergy testing, and for brand recommendation.
