Can Chondroitin Sulfate Help Joint Discomfort In The Knee?

Do you have difficulty walking due to sore knees? If that’s the case, then you are not the only one. Knee issues are a common complaint among adults as well as elders due to wear and tear from daily activities or injuries. Athletes who engage in running or jumping are also more likely to experience knee problems.

Causes of Painful Knee Joints

There are various causes for issues with the knee joints including aging, injuries, overweight, and medical conditions.

Aging

Aging is a primary cause of knee joint discomfort for aged people. Knee cartilage pads function as shock absorbers known as menisci, sustain a great amount of pressure, approximately one and a half times your body weight. This pressure, along with regular bone wear and tear may cause joint issues as you age.

Injuries

A knee injury can cause severe joint problems. It can not only have an impact on just bones, cartilage, or ligaments that make up the joint, but also tendons, bursae, or chemicals that surround the knee joint. The following are the most common knee injuries:

• Fracture: Joint fracture can be defined as breakdown of bones of knee, even sometimes kneecap during falls or an auto accident. People who have weak bones can also suffer from fracture, if they step wrong.

• Torn meniscus: The meniscus is the firm, rubbery cartilage that sits between your shinbone and thigh bone and serves as a shock absorber. It could rip if you suddenly twist your knee while standing on it.

• Knee bursitis: The bursae, the little sacs of fluid that cushion the exterior of your knee joint so that tendons and ligaments may move easily across the joint, can become inflamed as a result of several knee injuries.

• Patellar tendinitis: Tendinitis is an inflammatory condition that affects one or more tendons, which are the thick, fibrous structures that connect muscles to bones. The patellar tendon, which joins the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone and allows you to run, leap, and kick, can become injured and cause this soreness. Bicyclists, skiers, runners, and those who engage in jumping sports and activities can all get patellar tendinitis.

Overweight

Overweight is one of the major causes of joint and knee discomfort. It is more likely to feel joint discomfort if you are overweight. If you already have joint discomfort, being overweight might aggravate it. It causes pressure on hips, spine, and especially knee joints. Excess weight increases stress on joints that accelerate the wear and tear of the bones and causes joint complications.

Medical Conditions

Several medical conditions have a great effect on knee health. A few conditions are discussed below that can be a cause of your knee problems.

• Arthritis: In short arthritis means joint inflammation but it is difficult to understand arthritis as it has more than 100 types, causes, and treatments. Particularly, joints such as the elbow or knee are affected most, but some of its types may also affect eyes, heart, and skin. Some of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis and gout.
• Baker cyst: Baker's cyst means fluid-filled swelling that develops at the back of the knee. It is also known as a popliteal cyst. It typically results due to knee joint issues, such as arthritis or a torn cartilage. These disorders might cause the knee to create an excessive amount of fluid.
• Bone Cancers: Bone cancer is a disease in which a tumor occurs in bones and can cause pain. In most cases, it affects the long bones of the legs or upper arms.
• Osgood-Schlatter: Osgood-Schlatter is a disease that causes swelling and pain below the knee joint where the patellar tendon connects to the top of the shinbone (tibia), known as tibial tuberosity.

Effect Of Chondroitin Sulfate On Knee Health

Chondroitin sulfate is a building block of cartilage that naturally occurs in the human body as well as the animal body. To improve knee health chondroitin absorbs fluid (specifically water) into the connective tissue. In addition to that, it inhibits the enzymes that destroy cartilage and gives the body the raw materials needed to make new cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate is often used along with glucosamine for more effectiveness.

Moreover, as many people wonder, "Can we take chondroitin sulfate for the knees or not?" It appears that chondroitin sulfate can give joint knee relief & enhance its function, but it’s not medically clear whether it helps treat any medical condition like arthritis.

Sources of Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin Sulfate is present naturally in the human body. Although, it can be found from other sources too which include;

• Shark
• Beef Cartilage
• Gristle on animal bones
• Chondroitin supplements like InvigoFlex® CS

Conclusion

In conclusion, knee issues can be caused by a variety of factors including aging, injuries, being overweight, and medical conditions. It is a common complaint among adults and elders and can greatly impact one's mobility and quality of life. While chondroitin sulfate is a building block of cartilage that naturally occurs in the human body and can help improve knee health by absorbing fluid and inhibiting enzymes that destroy cartilage, its effectiveness in treating medical conditions like arthritis is not yet clear. Chondroitin sulfate can be found naturally in sources like beef cartilage, shark, and gristle on animal bones, as well as in chondroitin supplements like InvigoFlex® CS.

Disclaimer: Information provided in this article is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. This information should not be used as a substitute for medical expert advice. Statements mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the food & drug administration. Any product or supplement mentioned in this article can not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. It is highly recommended to consult a doctor if you are feeling pain in your joints before using any supplement, product, or medicine for your safety and its effectiveness.