Chondroitin is found in your cartilage.Taking chondroitin supplements from natural sources can help treat osteoarthritis.Chondroitin is used to treat a number of conditions, including heart disease, some cancers, and even post-exercise joint pain.There is no scientific research into the effectiveness of chondroitin for these conditions.If you want to take chondroitin supplements, you have to consult with your doctor.
Step 1: Discuss chondroitin supplements with your doctor.
If you have back or knee pain and think chondroitin might help you, you should get advice from your doctor on whether or not to start taking supplements.Even though you can read about chondroitin online, you will benefit from talking to your personal doctor, since they have a complete understanding of your medical history.If you have been diagnosed with arthritis and are currently taking NSAIDs, chondroitin may help you decrease your dose.There isn't much evidence on the effectiveness of chondroitin to relieve symptoms in other medical conditions.It's possible that your doctor knows of other treatments that could benefit you.
Step 2: Make a list of potential risks.
There are risks with taking almost any drug or natural supplement.Depending on your medical history and any other conditions you have, you and your doctor can determine if chondroitin might benefit you.If you have asthma, taking chondroitin supplements can make it worse.If you have diabetes, chondroitin supplements may affect your blood sugar levels.If you have a bleeding disorder or are on a medication, taking chondroitin may cause more bleeding.
Step 3: You should be realistic about the benefits.
Many people experience improvement in their symptoms after taking chondroitin supplements, but that improvement is usually mild to moderate.chondroitin is marketed and used to improve a variety of medical conditions, but it has not been thoroughly tested to treat many of these conditions.There are studies that show a decrease in pain, but they are limited and the improvement is small.If you've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, you shouldn't expect any improvement if you take chondroitin supplements above and beyond what you can achieve on other drugs.If you take chondroitin, you may be able to decrease your NSAID dose.Chondroitin is not an initial treatment for osteoarthritis.If you've been taking other medications to treat the condition, chondroitin may be helpful as a supplement.
Step 4: Determine if you want to take both.
Chondroitin can be found in a combination form.Glucosamine may reduce pain and loss of motion for people with osteoarthritis.If you have diabetes, you should avoid glucosamine.Glucosamine can have additional side effects, such as nausea or upset stomach, that may not be present with chondroitin.It is possible to decrease these side effects by taking the two in combination.If you have moderate to severe knee pain as a result of osteoarthritis, you may be able to take a combination supplement that includes both glucosamine and chondroitin.
Step 5: Make sure to evaluate the manufacturers carefully.
Doctors in Europe prescribe chondroitin supplements.Natural supplements are not subject to the same regulations as other drugs in the United States.Different brands of supplements can have different quality and quantity of active ingredients.You can choose a brand that has been verified by a third party.Some cheaper brands may not have the same quality controls in place when it comes to manufacturing the supplements for distribution.If you're buying chondroitin supplements over the counter, research brands carefully.Look for consumer complaints about the manufacturer's products.If you find a brand that works for you, you should stick with it.It may seem like it has the same active ingredients, but it may not work out that way.
Step 6: You can get a specific recommendation.
If there's a particular brand of supplements that your doctor or health care provider recommends, you may want to ask.It is possible for your doctor to recommend a particular brand of chondroitin for you based on your health history.You wouldn't know the source of the chondroitin if you looked at the bottle.There are a few brands that are considered safe for people with shellfish allergies, as they have very low levels of shrimp allergy.Your doctor may be able to tell you about possible side effects or interactions between inactive ingredients in a supplement you're considering and any other conditions you have or medications you take.
Step 7: Check the amounts in supplements.
There is no requirement for the amount of each active ingredient in a combination supplement.If you've decided to take a combination supplement that contains chondroitin and glucosamine, be aware that different brands may contain different amounts of each.When you've found the supplement brand you want, talk to your doctor or a pharmacy about how many pills you should take each day to treat your condition.Review the amounts with your doctor to find out which supplement is best for you and your lifestyle.
Step 8: Follow the instructions on the bottle.
If you don't have a doctor's instructions, you should not exceed the recommended amount of the supplements you're taking.You should take between 800 and 1,000 chondroitin sulfate a day.If your doctor recommends three equal doses, you may want to split them up.If you are also taking Glucosamine, you should take no more than 1,500 milligrams a day.If you weigh less than 100 pounds, you may want to reduce this dosage.If you weigh more than 200 pounds, talk to your doctor about how much you should eat.
Step 9: You can change your dosage according to your condition.
Depending on the reasons for which you're taking chondroitin, your doctor may recommend you take a different dose.If your doctor recommends a specific dose, you should take it.If your doctor wants you to depart from the label's recommendations, you may want to bring your specific bottle of supplements to the doctor.Depending on how you're taking chondroitin, your dosage may vary.If you're taking chondroitin for cataracts, you may also have chondroitin in a cream applied to your skin, or in eye drops.
Step 10: Don't be impatient.
It can take up to three months to get results from chondroitin supplements.You might not have any relief from your symptoms if you stop taking it after a few weeks.
Step 11: Take your supplements at the right time.
You need to take chondroitin supplements for at least two months to see the full effects.To maximize the effect, make sure you take them at the same time every day.If you're taking chondroitin in combination with glucosamine, it's a good idea to take your supplements with food.Gastrointestinal side effects are less common if you are taking chondroitin alone.
Step 12: Take your supplements the same way you would a drug.
Even though you don't have a prescription for chondroitin, your supplements can have harmful effects if not used as directed or if used by others who are not taking them under a doctor's supervision.Chondroitin is not considered safe for children to take if it is combined with glucosamine.It can take months for chondroitin to have an effect on your symptoms.If you don't notice any improvement in the first few weeks, you should not increase your dose.
Step 13: You should pay attention to the side effects.
If you have significant side effects while taking chondroitin supplements, they may outweigh any benefits you might achieve.If you are at significant risk for developing other health conditions, this is especially true.Your doctor will talk to you about any possible interactions between your medications and chondroitin.If you have diabetes, a bleeding disorder, or a heart condition, you should keep an eye on your symptoms while taking chondroitin.If the symptoms of any other medical condition get worse, you should stop taking the supplements.If you take chondroitin for more than two months and don't notice a change in your condition, you may want to stop taking the supplement.It's unlikely to provide noticeable benefits if you continue taking it.