If you suffer with arthritis, you know the toll it takes on your daily life: the stiff, aching joints… the crippling pain that keeps you awake… or the gardening, cleaning, and other tasks that are now all but impossible to perform. In fact, that’s probably all the reason you need to add chondroitin sulfate (CS)—a critical, naturally occurring component of your connective tissue—to your supplement arsenal today.
But as new research shows, arthritis is not the only reason to take CS. Especially not if you’re also struggling with any one of a whole host of other inflammatory disorders—from IBS, to multiple sclerosis or heart disease.
In a recent study, researchers reported that chondroitin sulfate was able to inhibit the activity of both mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1 and ERK2)—a group of enzymes known to play a direct role in joint destruction, tumor formation, and other inflammatory conditions. What’s more, chondroitin sulfate also decreased the activation of nuclear factor kappa B— better known as NFkB—an inflammatory protein complex known to be chronically active in a wide range of inflammatory disorders.1
By suppressing NFkB in vitro, researchers were able to inhibit a wide variety of other pro-inflammatory mediators and enzymes—including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), both key factors in the development of arthritis. But as it turns out, your joints aren’t the only part of your body to benefit from this natural substance: researchers also found that oral supplementation with chondroitin sulfate decreased NFkB activation in human subjects’ liver cells too.
The study authors’ conclusion? “There is preliminary evidence showing that in humans CS may be of benefit in other diseases where inflammation is an essential marker, such as psoriasis and atherosclerosis.” Even more promising, chondroitin sulfate might also be helpful in treating other inflammatory, autoimmune conditions—including inflammatory bowel disease, stroke and other degenerative nervous diseases and multiple sclerosis, plus it supports efficient wound healing.
Even with this compelling evidence, it may be too soon to say just how far chondroitin sulfate’s healing powers actually stretch. But one thing is certain: When paired with joint powerhouse glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate is one of the safest, clinically proven joint support supplements available. That’s why you’ll find chondroitin sulfate in Liquid Glucosamine Plus—along with additional joint-protecting ingredients like MSM, collagen and hyaluronic acid—all combined in a great-tasting, synergistic formula for increased mobility, flexibility and all-natural cartilage repair.
Reference:
1. du Souich P, García AG, Vergés J, Montell E. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of chondroitin sulphate. J Cell Mol Med. 2009 Jun 11. Published Online Ahead of Print.