Do Glucosamine and Chondroitin Work? Joint Benefits, Uses, and What to Expect

Over time, our joints can take a beating—and not just the bones themselves, but the tissue that cushions them.

Keep scrolling to learn what glucosamine and chondroitin are, how they support joint health, and how a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement provides cartilage support and other positive health effects.

What are glucosamine and chondroitin, and why are they used?

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two components of cartilage, which protects the ends of your bones, helping to keep your joints healthy. Think of cartilage like a pillow that allows your bones to move more freely.

The problem is that cartilage breaks down over time, and your bones lose some of that much-needed protection. A glucosamine/chondroitin supplement can help slow down age-related cartilage loss and the negative effects it can cause—like friction between the bones when they move.

How do glucosamine and chondroitin work in the body?

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate support joint health, which is why they make an excellent combination for a single dietary supplement. They work in the body by protecting your cartilage.

This means that when you take a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, you support the cartilage that cushions your bones and joints, thus addressing joint discomfort and long-term health needs.

They are similar in structure, so let's break down how exactly they work a little more:

What do glucosamine supplements offer for joint comfort?

Glucosamine benefits the joints in multiple ways, including:

• Supporting cartilage integrity
• Helping maintain comfortable movement, especially for the knee joint
• Supporting joint structure and function (meaning how well the joint is able to work)

Glucosamine is well-studied when it comes to joint health, too. In fact, in many randomized trials, oral glucosamine sulfate was found to be more effective, compared to a placebo, at maintaining overall knee comfort.

"Knee"d another reason to love it? It was also well-tolerated, meaning that the glucosamine side effects were minimal.

What benefits does chondroitin provide on its own?

Because they are very similar substances, chondroitin benefits are similar to those of glucosamine through comparable mechanisms. Both are well-researched. However, science has long suspected that they are even better when combined, which is why many joint health supplements contain both glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate.

Who might benefit most from glucosamine and chondroitin supplements?

People who deal with joint discomfort, or think they might in the future, can benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin supplements. Supplementation is often recommended to individuals, including:

• Adults noticing stiffness with aging, especially in their knees
• Active and athletic people with routine/daily strain, like weightlifters and runners
• Anyone wanting long-term joint support to address changes in cartilage health over time

In addition to supplementation, there are specific herbs and spices like curcumin, black sesame, Boswellia and ginger to support joint health.

How long does it take for glucosamine and chondroitin to work?

It can take several weeks or even months to notice results. Because support builds slowly, long-term use offers the most benefits.

Along with a nutrient-dense diet, hydration, plenty of shut-eye, and regular physical activity, a joint health supplement can help keep you mobile and comfortable as you age.

Speak with your healthcare provider, and take your glucosamine/chondroitin supplement consistently over the long term. Your body will thank you for it.

Can glucosamine and chondroitin be taken every day?

You can take a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin for years, making it a suitable product for people who want to protect their cartilage. In other words, it is appropriate for long-term use without adverse effects.

What’s the difference between glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCI?

Hydrochloric acid (HCI) can be attached to a glucosamine molecule, which then neutralizes the HCI. Don't let this alarm you: Many supplements have HCI attached to them, and your body produces HCI on its own and secretes it into the body. This is completely normal and healthy.

Sulfate molecules also attach to glucosamine, but a sulfate molecule is sulfur plus four oxygen atoms.

Here's the most important part, though: Glucosamine sulfate has been significantly more tested in clinical trials and shown to be effective.

Glucosamine hydrochloric acid, on the other hand, has no record of efficacy. This is why you will more likely see joint supplements using glucosamine sulfate, rather than the HCI form (though HCI is sometimes used).

What time of day is best to take glucosamine and chondroitin?

There's no specific time that is best for taking a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement. However, we recommend that you take your dose of glucosamine chondroitin sulfate around the same time every day, and with a meal or snack.

Another good rule of thumb is to always follow the directions on the product label.

References

• Vo NX, et al. "Effectiveness and Safety of Glucosamine in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review." Pharmacy (Basel). July 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37489348/
• "Glucosamine." Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/glucosamine
• "Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis: What You Need To Know." National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/glucosamine-and-chondroitin-for-osteoarthritis-what-you-need-to-know