Where has the chondroitin gone?

A quick review of New Zealand-made joint supplements found none with the recommended levels of chondroitin sulphate.

I did nd two quality US-made supplements for sale in NZ that do meet this standard, as does my joint supplement.

e international research and recommendation of CS for osteoarthritis is not in dispute. It’s been available on prescription in Europe at doses of 800mg-plus daily for more than a decade.

ere are numerous overseas companies that manufacture supplements with therapeutic levels of CS.

is begs the question as to why not in NZ?

What’s the reason NZ companies exclude therapeutic amounts of CS? A quick check on the most extensive online supplement store found most NZ-made joint supplements, including the biggest selling products, had on average of only 200mg of CS. Typically these are marketed as a ‘one-a-day’ products that are mostly glucosamine with little or no chondroitin.

e only reason I can conclude is the cost of chondroitin. e high grade avian-sourced CS

I use is about nine times’ the price of glucosamine. If you took the top-selling joint products and reduced the glucosamine from about 1500 mg to 800mg, and added 800mg of chondroitin, the cost to consumer price would likely need to double or the pro t more than halved.

I have no doubt most bene ts people gain from my supplement are from the chondroitin.

Scientists have identi ed about 30 bene ts adding therapeutic levels of chondroitin has on the chemistry and function of joints and joint capsule. While some are complex, the bene ts are mostly to improve function of cartilage-secreting chondrocyte cells and by regulating destructive enzymes and joint capsule in ammation. e bottom line is less pain and more mobility. For more information, give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz

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John Arts is a quali ed nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz