Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives cartilage elasticity. It is extracted from animal cartilage, such as tracheas or shark cartilage, and sold as a dietary supplement.

Chondroitin sulfate is said by researchers to maintain the viscosity in joints, stimulate cartilage repair mechanisms, and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage.

Definitive results about the effects of chondroitin sulfate are expected from an in-depth clinical study currently being conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently sold in combination with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate is a proteoglycan and a major component of articular cartilage. It is hypothesized to work by increasing levels of chondroitin sulfate in the blood and subsequent incorporation into the cartilage.

If you are taking chondroitin sulfate in addition to a blood-thinning medication or daily aspirin therapy, have your blood clotting time checked more often. This supplement is similar in structure to the blood-thinning drug heparin, and the combination may cause bleeding in some people.

All information provided in this site is offered for educational purposes only, and it is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own physician or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.