Osteo-GC (Glucosamine/Chondroitin)

Don't be misled by cheaper brands - this stuff works!

Glucosamine-chondroitin combinations vary greatly in quality of ingredients and potency. If you have tried glucosamine-chondroitin and found little or no benefit, it's possible the product you used was substandard or did not contain enough of the active ingredients. Several consumer tests have found that up to half of common brands on the market had less glucosamine and/or chondroitin than listed on the label. Most apt to be lacking is chondroitin, the more expensive of the two ingredients. Less than 800 mg of chondroitin per day is useless, say experts. The typical recommended dose is 1,200 mg chondroitin and 1,500 mg glucosamine daily. Our Osteo-GC is made to Pharmaceutical Grade Standards, so its dosages are guaranteed. On top of that, we use independent third party test to verify the ingredient contents of all Stop Aging Now supplements! So what you see on the label is what you get in the pill!

How it works

A major 2005 study by the National Institutes of Health makes it even more imperative to consider two safe natural substances--glucosamine and chondroitin--to help subdue the serious pain and progression of osteoarthritis (a fancy name for wear and tear on your joints that worsens as you age) as a first line of defense, more potent than, and certainly far more safe than the commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drug, Celebrex. 

Several years ago, while Jean Carper was writing her best-selling book, Miracle Cures, she started taking glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis in her hands and fingers. The stabbing pains disappeared and joint enlargements did not progress.

To Jean Carper it was a miracle--as it has been for many others.

Exciting new evidence continues to confirm glucosamine and chondroitin as effective against osteoarthritis. Research shows that glucosamine and chondroitin can:

• Reduce joint pain and swelling.
• Stop disease progression
• Promote regeneration of cartilage

The most important test ever done on glucosamine-chondroitin, the so-called GAIT study by the National Institutes of Health shows clearly that glucosamine-chondroitin combined is better than either alone, and more effective in alleviating moderate to severe knee pain in osteoarthritis patients than Celebrex!  In the study,  glucosamine-chondroitin relieved serious pain in 80% of osteoarthritis sufferers, compared with 69% for Celebrex.

The Arthritis Foundation recommends glucosamine as effective in preventing "the progressive damage that occurs in osteoarthritis of the knee," says Dr. Jack Klipple, head of the Foundation.

Jean Carper developed Stop Aging Now's Osteo-GC supplement several years ago to provide the best quality at the most affordable cost, in keeping with the latest research. We've made steady improvement to the formula since then. According to our recent price survey, Stop Aging Now Osteo-GC can cost up to 50% less than other leading brands in retail drug stores and on the internet, for the equivelant ingredients, dosage and potency.

Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Supplement Facts for Osteo-GC:

Glucosamine and chondroitin both relieve pain, and slow disease progression— unlike commonly prescribed painkillers, called NSAIDS, that merely fight symptoms, without attacking the underlying disease processes. Glucosamine has been found to thwart cartilage loss that causes pain and crippling, and can even help stimulate cartilage growth. (Chan PS et al. J Rheumatol. 2006 Jul;33(7):1329-40. Homandberg GA et al. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006 Aug;14(8):793-806.)

Glucosamine
 
Glucosamine is one of the most popular dietary supplements, used by millions in the United States and around the world to help combat the symptoms and progression of osteoarthritis. It is known to be an effective, but rather slow-acting treatment. Reportedly it prods the production of long chains of sugars called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) necessary to rebuild cartilage.

There's lots of evidence that glucosamine can relieve osteoarthritis. Many excellent studies show that glucosamine can not only relieve symptoms, but can also actually attack the underlying cause of the osteoarthritis by thwarting cartilage loss and perhaps helping regenerate cartilage. The prestigious Arthritis Foundation endorses it. Says Foundation head, Dr. Jack Klippel: "Glucosamine prevents the progressive damage that occurs in osteoarthritis of the knee."

Many credible studies confirm glucosamine's benefits, including convincing proof from a double-blind landmark, three-year Belgian study, showing that glucosamine lessened pain, stiffness and swelling and reduced loss of cartilage in arthritic knees, as confirmed by X-rays! The X-rays also indicated evidence of cartilage regeneration.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered a novel way glucosamine works to relieve the pain of arthritis. New evidence suggests that an excessive production of nitric oxide is implicated in inflammation and arthritis.

So researchers theorized that glucosamine might inhibit overproduction of nitric oxide. Researchers concluded that "[These studies] provide a biochemical basis for the use of glucosamine in treating chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis." (Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000 Dec 9:279 (1): 234- 9.)

Proof glucosamine works: A study out of Ohio State University showed that glucosamine lessened pain, stiffness and swelling, and reduced loss of cartilage in arthritic knees. In short, glucosamine reduced progression of arthritis, as no other treatment has ever done. There was even astonishing evidence of cartilage regeneration.  Glucosamine is said to prod the production of long chains of sugars called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), necessary to rebuild cartilage. More than a dozen controlled double blind studies support the effectiveness of glucosamine and/or chondroitin. (Johnson JA et al. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2001 Jan;9(1):14-21.)

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Glucosamine is tried and trusted way to help support joints and cartilage. It has been found in numerous studies to help slow down cartilage loss, and may even help to rebuild lost cartilage.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is even more powerful in fighting osteoarthritis, according to an analysis of 37 studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In fact, chondroitin was twice as effective as glucosamine in combating osteoarthritis, concluded the researchers. (Alindon TE et al. JAMA. 2000 Mar 15;283(11):1469-75.)

Experts urge taking both. For maximum benefits--a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin is best, say experts. "It's foolish" to take only one, because they work together "synergistically" to preserve and stimulate cartilage, explains leading expert Jason Theodosakis, M.D., University of Arizona and co-author of the best selling book, The Arthritis Cure.

The government is testing combined glucosamine-chondroitin. In a major $14 million test, the National Institutes of Health is giving glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate as the forms most likely to fight osteoarthritis. These are the same ingredients and same doses contained in our Osteo-GC formula. The NIH study has yet to be completed.

The prestigious Arthritis Foundation endorses the use of glucosamine as more effective and safer than commonly prescribed NSAIDS pain killers. 

Why glucosamine-chondroitin is safer: NSAIDs, including aspirin and ibuprofen, typically recommended to treat chronic pain, can have serious side effects, including ulcers and gastro-intestinal bleeding. The use of NSAIDS result in 10,000 to 20,000 deaths and more than 100,000 hospitalizations every year, say experts. Further, some research shows that NSAIDS, even though they relieve pain, may destroy cartilage, worsening osteoarthritis. Vioxx and Celebrex have been found to increase the risk of heart disease. (Calin A. J Rheumatol Suppl. 1989 Aug; 1843-4. Knox, Richard. Merck Pulls Arthritis Drug Vioxx from Market. www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4054991, March 5, 2008.)

In contrast, adverse effects from glucosamine and chondroitin are extremely mild and uncommon, usually gastrointestinal upset. There is no known long-term toxicity from glucosamine and chondroitin. It's safe for diabetics. Contrary to some reports, glucosamine does not raise blood sugar, according to a large review of the evidence by diabetes specialist James W. Anderson, M.D., University of Kentucky. He found no evidence that glucosamine boosted blood glucose, even at extremely high doses in animals, human cells or more than 3000 human subjects. Just the opposite. Blood sugar dropped slightly in those who took glucosamine for four months. In fact, glucosamine caused fewer side effects than placebos in numerous human tests, Dr. Anderson concluded. (Anderson JW et al. Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Feb;43(2):187-201.)

How fast does it work? Many people with osteoarthritis notice pain relief almost immediately or in a week or two, although it may take up to eight weeks. Don't give up too early. The longer you use glucosamine-chondroitin, the greater the benefits. Re-building cartilage takes time.

How many improve? In one recent study of 94 patients with knee osteoarthritis, 52% who took a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin had relief. (Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2000; 8:343-350.)

What about allergic reactions? Most glucosamine (but not all-- see our Super Osteo-GM) is derived from the shells of crabs and other crustaceans, as found in the Stop Aging Now!Osteo GC. Our Super Osteo-GM uses an all-vegetarian shellfish-free glucosamine.   

Consumer alert: Glucosamine-chondroitin combinations vary greatly in quality of ingredients and potency. If you have tried glucosamine-chondroitin and found little or no benefit, it's possible the product you used was substandard or did not contain enough of the active ingredients. Several consumer tests have found that up to half of common brands on the market had less glucosamine and/or chondroitin than listed on the label. Most apt to be lacking is chondroitin, the more expensive of the two ingredients. Less than 800 mg of chondroitin per day is useless, say experts. The typical recommended dose is 1,200 mg chondroitin and 1,500 mg glucosamine daily.

Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.