Experiencing stiffness, less mobility or discomfort in your joints? It is likely possible that it is due to aging, an injury or an underlying medical condition. Aging is one of the major causes of stiffness and joint issues. As we age, our body produces less cartilage cells (chondrocytes), and the cartilage that is already there becomes less resilient with the passage of time. Injury, trauma or repetitive stress to a joint can also damage the cartilage, which in return affects the function of the joint. When it comes to medical conditions there are different disorders that affect joint health which include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

All the major joint problems are associated with cartilage. Cartilage is a tough and flexible connective tissue that surrounds and protects your joints and bones. It works like a shock absorber in your body. When you move your joints, cartilage at the ends of your bones lessens friction and keeps them from rubbing together. Cartilage damage may lessen the body’s ability to repair and rebuild cartilage. 

There are few ways to manage cartilage damage including natural healing process, surgery and supplements. Many people can’t decide whether to use supplements for cartilage rebuilding or not. Using supplements to rebuild cartilage is a major way for joint support. When finding the best supplements to rebuild cartilage that suits you, it is important to know all the features before choosing. Here we have listed the top supplements for cartilage that will help you increase the body’s tendency to rebuild the cartilage.

Best supplements for cartilage rebuilding are;

• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
• Collagen

Here we will discuss all the features and how they promote cartilage repair;

Glucosamine

Cartilage is a type of matrix that is composed of proteoglycans, collagen fibers, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans, all of which require glucosamine to function. Glucosamine is a term frequently used in connection with joints and is one of the best supplements to rebuild cartilage. It is an amino sugar found naturally in the body and is most commonly made from shellfish such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. Glucosamine is commonly available in powders, tablets, and capsules. It plays an important role in making glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, other chemicals that build tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the fluid that surrounds joints which serve as a building block of cartilage and many other joint components.

Glucosamine supplements are available in several forms, including crystalline glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetyl glucosamine.

People commonly use crystalline glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride during many joint conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence that glucosamine supports these other uses.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is a molecule present naturally in the human body. It is one of the major components of cartilage, the tough, connective tissue that provides a flexible connection to help bones perform their functions. Even more fascinating is the observation that chondroitin supplementation appears to promote the development of chondrocyte cells. These are the cells that control the regrowth and repair of cartilage. With more chondrocyte cells, cartilage may be repaired and grown more effectively, leading to healthier joints. Commercial chondroitin can be found from natural sources which include shark and bovine cartilage, or synthetic production.

Chondroitin promotes cartilage health by absorbing fluid (especially water) into the connective tissue so that it can strengthen and lubricate your cartilage, making it stronger and better able to absorb shocks.. Moreover, it might inhibit the enzymes that destroy cartilage, and it gives the body the raw materials needed to make new cartilage.

Chondroitin supplements are available in chondroitin sulfate form, and can also be taken with glucosamine.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

Methylsulfonylmethane hereafter MSM, is a type of fundamental supplement for cartilage that is commonly used by many. It is a chemical present naturally in the human body, animals and in green plants. It is a structural element of the proteins collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which together make up cartilage. MSM supplementation has been demonstrated to protect cartilage and collagen while also reducing joint discomfort that results from connective tissue degradation.

MSM is commonly available in the form of combination products, topical creams and gels that is used by people to aid pain prevention, swelling, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Collagen

Most individuals use glucosamine and chondroitin to help restore cartilage, but many are unaware that collagen is a building element for numerous joint components such as tendons, bones, cartilage, and ligaments. Moreover, collagen promotes cartilage  formation, rebuild, and repair. Cartilage tends to deteriorate with the passage of time whether it is because of aging or strenuous activity which leads to joint discomfort due to the bones rubbing against each other which usually hurts. Collagen aids to reduce joint discomfort and inflammation while also supporting cartilage tissue growth and regeneration.

Collagen is available in various forms such as creams, gels, tablets and capsules. It is used to aid the reduction of discomfort and swelling during different joint conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. You could also read this article to learn more about the benefits of liquid collagen.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, joint health is significantly impacted by cartilage issues. A person with poor or damaged cartilage health may suffer stiffness, discomfort, and reduced joint movement. These symptoms can be treated with surgery, supplements, or natural healing processes. The body’s tendency for performing natural cartilage healing declines with time and aging. The two remaining options for elderly people, excluding natural healing, are surgery and supplements. Many people choose to use supplements for cartilage as a non-surgical method of cartilage repair or rebuild.

Here we have listed the best supplements for cartilage which include Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), and Collagen. We have discussed its sources, features, advantages and forms in which they are available on the market nowadays. Some people use these supplements to get aid during different severe joint conditions. However, the majority of these uses are not supported by strong scientific and research data.