Glucosamine + chondroitin from shark, no gel shell

AlwaysKeepFit

Getting on in one's years, one finds that resistance and/or impact training requires some joint fortification. Glucosamine + chondroitin has been my go-to supplement, despite the lack of indisputable statistical evidence from well designed studies. I find that things generally tend to improve a few months after taking them, though by no means does it eliminate joint problems.

My issue is the inability to vet sources with any degree of confidence to ensure that the chondroitin component comes from shark products rather than cow products. Quite apart from my inability to check the veracity of claims, it's also quite hard to identify products that ostensibly meet my criterion. For example, I found one very niche product that says the chondroitin is from shark, but then says that the supplement comes in gelatin capsule. Which is made from ...(guess what) ???

I was completely baffled by why a vendor would go to the trouble of having the chondroitin component come from sharks, then undermine the whole effort by encapsulating the product in gelatin. Sure, most buyers probably wouldn't realize that gelatin comes from bovine products, but the vendor sure as heck knew. I got the impression that they didn't fully understand the general concerns in play, and just wanted a product that checked off the boxes of consumer concerns as far as the vendor could superficially identify them.

Anyway, if anyone is aware of something from a reputable source that avoids bovine products, thanks if you can chime in. I realize that there are "threats" to product and supply chain security, such as counterfeit goods (especially ordering online) so I intend to buy either directly from the manufacturer or to first verify with the manufacturer that a vendor on (say) amazon is really them.

Azdak

Personally, I'm more concerned about this:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2013/mar/02/sharks-risk-extinction-overfishing-scientists

kwtilbury

I recently switched to a C ll Collagen, Boron, Hyaluronic Acid supplement (Kirkland brand) after taking Glucosamine and Chondroitine (and more recently MSM) for years, mainly because it's only one tiny pill instead of two bigger ones. I've only been taking for about two weeks, so the jury's still out.

sjaplo

Azdak wrote: »

Personally, I'm more concerned about this:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2013/mar/02/sharks-risk-extinction-overfishing-scientists

I would second this - what did sharks ever do to you?

AlwaysKeepFit

The point about impacting the shark population is well taken. Not sure how to deal with the risk of BSE, and the lack of oversight in the sources of the ingredients. It all seems like a black box.

The most recent dated info from 2016:
http://www.verywell.com/mad-cow-disease-and-chondroitin-188114

Mayo clinic mention of the risk (amongst many others):
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/chondroitin-sulfate/safety/hrb-20058926

Old or undated articles:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/madcow/safety41001.php
http://www.synflexamerica.com/includes/data/chondroitin.html
http://www.liveinthenow.com/article/safety-bulletin-mad-cow-and-chondroitin-an-important-message-from-jean-carper
(This downplays the concern)

Undated potential solutions:
http://summitnutritionals.com/mad-cow-disease-chondroitin
http://www.htl-bio.com/products/299/chondroitin.php

cmriverside

Please take your proselytizing/sales pitch and start your own private group.

I'm a scuba diver and the complete extinction of sharks is one of the saddest things I've ever witnessed. Please stop.

AlwaysKeepFit

I'm really at a lost to understand your post. If you're really so incensed by the information I've found online, it's so easy for you to cease participating in the thread. The only explanation I can fathom is that you're trolling.

Packerjohn

I asked my well regarded orthopedic surgeon about Glucosamine + chondroitin. He said, while there is no scientific proof it helps, it won't hurt and he said he takes it. When I asked about type/brand, he said he uses the lowest cost product available at the supercenter.

AlwaysKeepFit

I agree in general the idea of needing corroboration by well constructed studies, but as I described in my original post, my decision to invest in glucosamine is based on the subjective experience that it has an effect. I have to make a subjective decision on whether it might be a placebo effect, and certainly, the probability is there. However, due to the pattern and timing of the effect, repeatedly through the years, I have sufficient confidence in the probability of a real effect that I'm willing to invest. In the end, it's a personal judgement call that we each make, balancing off all the facts. My concern with going for bargain basement offerings is basically my original post.