Chondroitin Sulfate Lowers Core Inflammatory Signal

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are popular joint support nutrients with over a decade of documentation showing their assistance for both osteoarthritis Degenerative joint disease. Most common type of arthritis that causes a chronic, progressive, breakdown in cartilage in middle-age adults and older. and rheumatoid arthritis.  These nutrients have generally been considered as building blocks for physical structure, like 2 x 4s and plywood for a house.  However, a number of new studies now show that chondroitin sulfate¹ actually regulates the core inflammatory gene signal known as NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. .  This finding significantly expands on the importance of chondroitin sulfate as a health promoting nutrient.

NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. is typically over-activated in any problem of ongoing inflammation.  In turn, this activates numerous inflammatory enzyme systems that have the net result of damaging body tissues including joints.  Chondroitin sulfates have now been shown to lower NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. in chondrocytes (cartilage building carpenter cells) and synovial cell membranes (joint lubricating cells), thereby helping to directly inhibit inflammation in joints.  This is in addition to its ability to act as a raw material to help rebuild the joint.

This new finding is exciting researchers as they believe chondroitin sulfate may be able to help many other inflammatory problems in addition to joint health.  This now leads them to suggest that chondroitin sulfate, via NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. regulation, “might be a useful therapeutic agent in diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.”

While only time and specific studies will be able to judge how effective chondroitin sulfate is in helping any of these problems it is now clear that this valuable nutrient is far more than just a structural raw material.  It will of course continue to be a mainstay for joint health, but may be able to assist with many other types of health problems that are involved with inflammation.  Of course, many nutrients help naturally lower inflammation. Chondroitin sulfate is simply one more member of the health-promoting team.  Remember, you need adequate anti-inflammatory nutrition to offset all the various types of demands you are under.  The more help you have, the healthier you are likely to be.  In many ways your ability to physically rejuvenate is central to predicting your quality of health.