People take chondroitin sulfate supplements most commonly to help manage osteoarthritis, a common bone disorder that affects the cartilage surrounding your joints.
Proponents say that when taken as a supplement, it increases the synthesis of various cartilage components while also preventing cartilage breakdown (4Trusted Source).
A 2018 review of 26 studies showed that taking chondroitin supplements may improve pain symptoms and joint function compared with taking a placebo (5Trusted Source).
A 2020 review suggests that it may slow the progression of OA, while also decreasing the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, which come with their own side effects (6).
On the other hand, several studies did not find enough evidence to suggest that chondroitin can help relieve OA symptoms, including joint stiffness or pain (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).
Several professional agencies, such as the Osteoarthritis Research Society International and the American College of Rheumatology, discourage people from using chondroitin due to the mixed evidence on its effectiveness (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).
While chondroitin supplements may address the symptoms of OA, they do not provide a permanent cure.
Post time: Aug-13-2022