- High content of active principles (standardised to 95% chondroitin).
- Vegetarian capsules guaranteed to be pesticide-free.
- Rapidly absorbed in the gut.
- Rarely found in the diet.
Main products | 49.00 € |
2 Additional products selected | 109.00 € |
Exceptional purity
Producing chondroitin with such exceptional purity (95%) requires a complex and costly manufacturing process. Many less scrupulous suppliers bypass this, and use mediocre-quality materials such as ground cartilage in their supplements, yet still label them as containing ‘chondroitin: in such cases, purity is around 5% at best. In 2011, laboratory tests revealed that numerous supplements contained ground cartilage (1). If a chondroitin supplement seems unusually cheap, you’d be right to suspect this kind of dishonest practice.
This is obviously not the case with Chondroitin Sulfate 95% which, because of its pharmaceutical quality and purity of its active principles, rated at 95%, remains one of the best chondroitin products available.
Reassuring marine source
Chondroitin supplements are very often made from beef and veal cartilage, and sometimes even pork cartilage (though this is not always mentioned). One study (2) showed that marine-source cartilage contains far fewer soluble proteins and nucleic acids (part of what are termed ‘impurities’) than beef, pork or alevin (chicken) cartilage.
What’s more, marine-source chondroitin supplements enable the use of fishery co-products containing highly-nutritious molecules. Such use is consistent with the Common Fisheries Policy which aims to reduce the amount of fish thrown back into the sea and ensure responsible and sustainable fishing.
Many people wonder if chondroitin is well-absorbed by the body as it’s a very large molecule. Indeed, products with a low molecular weight (less than 16,000 daltons) will be completely absorbed, whereas larger molecules will only be 8%-18% absorbed (3). However this rate of absorption is still very acceptable for a dose equivalent to 1200mg per month.
Its galenic form (vegetarian capsule) means it is rapidly absorbed in the gut and is not affected by foods.
Chondroitin combines perfectly with Joint Support Formula (which contains chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, boron, methyl-sulfonyl-methane, vitamin C and manganese sulfate) is an excellent alternative if chondroitin produces insufficient benefits. The vitamin C it contains promotes natural collagen formation and supports healthy cartilage (4) (like that found in normal joints).
The manganese, which helps maintain good bone function (5), and the MSM are also complementary substances which act in synergy with chondroitin.
Chondroitin has been available as a dietary supplement for over 30 years. In that time, there have been no reports of significant side-effects even with prolonged use (several months to two years).
Chondroitin is found in all living cartilaginous organisms (in fish such as rays, in mammals such as pigs, cows and humans). It is one of the glycosaminoglycans produced by cartilage cells (chondrocytes). These bind to core proteins (proteoglycans) forming gigantic mesh networks known as the extracellular matrix. It is more than 70% comprised of water because of the hydrophilic character (able to absorb and retain water) of the molecules of which it is composed.
These proteoglycans are a little like sponges: as force is applied to the joint, they absorb and release water depending on the movement. Unfortunately, the biosynthesis of these proteoglycans remains poorly understood. A number of enzymes are involved but their individual roles have yet to be established.
The recommended dose is 3 capsules a day (equivalent to 1200 mg).
Supplements should be taken regularly and for extended periods. The required supplementation period for chondroitin has been found to be longer than that for glucosamine: between two and six months is usually necessary before benefits are felt.
It’s best to take the capsules at mealtimes with a large glass of water (to prevent the capsules getting stuck in the oesophagus).
At this dose, the product provides one month’s supplementation.
If you find swallowing capsules difficult, simply open the capsule and add the contents to a glass of water or fruit juice, or a yogurt.
Daily serving: 3 capsules Number of servings per bottle: 30 |
Quantity per serving |
Chondroitin sulfate (of marine origin) | 1 200 mg |
Other ingredients: Acacia gum, rice flour. |
References (FR)
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