Effective Cartilage Nutrition for Healthy Joints.
While MSM and Chondroitin may be the most potent elements of this formula, more research has been done on glucosamine, particularly in Europe.

Glucosamine research is so impressive, it has become a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis in several European countries. Studies in Europe involving 1,500 patients taking 500mg GS three times per day produced major reductions in joint pain, tenderness and swelling, as well as improved physical mobility, compared with placebo and ibuprofen. According to Newsweek Magazine, "arthritis treatment will never be the same." Glucosamine is a prime building block for ligaments, tendons, fluid in the joints, digestive and respiratory tract membranes, heart valves, eyes, nails, skin and bone. It is manufactured in the body when the simple sugar glucose combines through enzyme action with glutamine. The result of this action is then sulfated by other enzymes to form glucosamine. In this form it gives cartilage its strength, structure, and resiliency. One component of connective tissue is collagen, which holds water and gives connective tissue its flexibility. Proteoglycans are another component of connective tissue, and they are the basic substance of joint cartilage. Glucosamine helps to form the proteoglycans found in the gelatinous ground substance of cartilage. Glucosamine works best in conjunction with MSM and Chondroitin. . In a three-year Belgium study, 212 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were given either glucosamine or a placebo. None of those receiving the glucosamine had any detectable narrowing of their joint lining, while 106 of those receiving the placebo showed signs of joint narrowing. Those using the placebo said their knees felt slightly worse, while those receiving glucosamine reported their knees improving. Chondroitin sulfate is one of the major constituents of cartilage. Animal studies indicate that chondroitin sulfate promotes the healing of bone. It has also been shown to help restore joint function in people with osteoarthritis. In addition, chondroitin sulfate may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attacks, as well as help prevent kidney stones. Chondroitin sulfate consists of repeating chains of molecules called mucopolysaccharides. It is a primary part of cartilage. Classified as a type of glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulfate is rich in sulfur and is a relative of glucosamine. Animal cartilage is the only significant food source of Chondroitin sulfate. 2. What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this? Not only does chondroitin provide structure and hold water and nutrients, but it allows other molecules to move through cartilage. This is a very important property, as there is no blood supply to cartilage. As a result, joint healing is greatly increased through supplementation. Chondroitin and similar compounds also exist in the bladder and lining of blood vessels. Here they help to prevent abnormal movement of blood, urine, or components across the barrier of the vessel or bladder wall. Japanese researchers have found that Chondroitin sulfate in synovial fluid collected from the temporomandibular joint provides a useful indicator of the degree of damage there, and that chondroitin may play a role in determining the viscosity and elasticity of tissues and fluids. A recent in vitro study done by scientists in Belgium found that chondroitin had potentially beneficial effects on human cartilage cells.

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