Glucosamine and Chondroitin are supplements that many people take to relieve joint pain. When taken together, people experience relief from side effects of diseases such as osteoarthritis. This type of disease causes the joints in the body to degenerate and, when they do, the patient experiences pain. Sometimes bone spurs can grow because of the condition. There are several factors that can be related to osteoarthritis including obesity, repetitive movements and any sort of trauma to the area.

While there are medical treatments that can relieve the pain associated with joint problems, some people wish to take a natural supplement and Glucosamine and Chondroitin combinations can work for many people. Glucosamine is amino sugar that is present in the body and it’s found in cartilage that is healthy. Glucosamine is made from shell fish. Chondroitin is another compound found in cartilage. Chondroitin is manufactured from shark or beef cartilage. The two combined are believed to work together to build healthy cartridge in the body’s affected areas.

According to the Mayo Clinic, recent trials have found the supplement Glucosamine to be effective in treating the disease of osteoarthritis particularly when it occurs in the knee.

There are some known side effects to both Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Chondroitin supplements can contain a large amount of the chemical element manganese. Some opponents of the supplement fear that its association with beef cartilage can mean that it is contaminated in the manufacturing process. If the supplement is taken with NSAID drugs, the patient could experience internal bleeding. People who are allergic to shrimp and other shellfish may be unable to take Glucosamine. Some studies have shown that Glucosamine may affect blood sugar levels meaning that people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes may want to avoid the supplement. If you are considering taking the supplement to relieve joint pain, always talk with a medical professional.