Chondroitin and glucosamine are natural substances found in the cartilage of joints. Chondroitin statistics reveal that this supplement is usually harvested from animals, but it can also be synthesized in a laboratory. Moreover, both chondroitin and glucosamine are used extensively in alternative medicine.
Recently, the US, Canada, China, Japan, Brazil, Germany, and Italy have experienced increased production and consumption of chondroitin supplements. The increase is due to the vast application of these supplements across medical and non-medical fields.
This article will inform you about the uses, benefits, and side effects of chondroitin. Read on to find out more.
Top 10 Chondroitin Statistics and Facts
- At least 80% of people above the age of 75 have arthritis of the hand.
- In the US, 32.5 million adults are affected by osteoarthritis.
- With a market share of 36%, nutraceuticals have the highest use of chondroitin.
- Chondroitin found in shark cartilage is rarely used in the production of supplements.
- The global chondroitin sulfate market size could reach $1.5 billion by 2027.
- The US market alone could generate up to 600 tons of CS by 2026.
- With a CAGR of 3.4%, Asia is the fastest-growing chondroitin market.
- Bovine cartilage is the most preferred source of chondroitin.
- With a market share of 35%, North America is the largest market for chondroitin supplements.
- Excessive use of chondroitin may lead to increased blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
General Chondroitin Facts
1. Chondroitin is found naturally in the body as a vital part of cartilage.
(Versus Arthritis)
Chondroitin is a high-viscosity substance that exists in the body of both humans and animals.
According to the chondroitin statistics, the substance is found in cartilage where it has many functions, some of which we’ll cover in the following paragraphs.
2. Chondroitin, MSM, and glucosamine help to keep the cartilage healthy.
(Medical News Today)
The activities of chondroitin, MSM, and glucosamine in the cartilage help protect it from damage.
Glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM provide the building blocks the body needs to produce new cartilage.
3. Chondroitin blocks enzymes that break down cartilage.
(ScienceDirect)
Chondroitin gets its effectiveness from the process of inhibiting the activities of proteolytic enzymes.
Experts have found that these enzymes can break down the cartilage matrix in humans, leading to osteoarthritis.
4. Chondroitin is responsible for the elasticity of cartilage.
(NCBI)
You may wonder how chondroitin for joint pain works. Namely, bones contain sodium in their matrix to keep them strong, but the cartilage is filled with chondroitin.
The presence of chondroitin in cartilage helps it retain water, maintaining the elasticity and overall mobility of joints.
5. Older people are more likely to develop complications due to declining levels of chondroitin.
(NCBI)
According to well-known chondroitin facts, as we age, the level of chondroitin in our bodies declines.
The absence or lack of chondroitin in cartilage affects mobility, which may lead to chronic pain. This explains why joint conditions like arthritis are more prevalent in the elderly.
6. Chondroitin use is associated with sports injuries of the joints.
(Research Gate)
Joint pain is common in athletes, and it results from the thinning of the cartilage. When this happens, chondroitin is often recommended as part of alternative treatment.
Chondroitin can prevent cartilage damage and repair worn-out tissues, which is why taking the right chondroitin supplement benefits many athletes.
7. At least 80% of people above the age of 75 have arthritis of the hand.
(Cleveland Clinic)
Arthritis of the hand is a condition that is most prevalent in the elderly, and recent investigations using chondroitin as treatment have shown positive results.
Moreover, recent chondroitin stats reveal that the substance has a considerable impact on pain reduction in people who have arthritis in the fingers.
Benefits of Chondroitin
8. In the US alone, 32.5 million adults are affected by osteoarthritis.
(CDC)
Osteoarthritis is defined as a slow deterioration of the bones in a specific joint. It happens due to the breakdown of cartilage and occurs mostly in the hands, hip, and knee joints.
Factors such as age, past injuries, obesity, gender, race, and genetics can lead to an increased possibility of osteoarthritis. Studies are mixed on the effectiveness of using chondroitin for osteoarthritis pain.
9. Chondroitin may be beneficial for treating osteoarthritis.
(Versus Arthritis)
Due to its ability to improve cartilage functionality, chondroitin is often used as an alternative medication to repair and prevent the deterioration of the cartilage in the joint.
Research on the benefits of chondroitin has shown that regular intake of the substance leads to better joint activities, and a reduction in joint pain.
10. Chondroitin sulfate is used for wound-healing purposes.
(ScienceDirect)
CS helps the body manufacture connective tissues needed for quick repair and regeneration of a wound.
11. Chondroitin has functions in treating bladder conditions.
(MedicineNet)
According to the facts on chondroitin usage, interstitial cystitis (IC)—also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS)—occurs due to the bladder’s chronic inflammatory disorder.
Several experiments studied the use of chondroitin in the treatment of PBS, where the patients fully recovered.
12. Chondroitin plays a vital role in the treatment of dry eyes.
(Drugs.com)
The dry eye disease— keratoconjunctivitis—is a condition that affects over 16 million Americans, as revealed by the chondroitin sulfate statistics.
Furthermore, patients with keratoconjunctivitis have shown improvement when treated with chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid.
13. Chondroitin supplements for osteoarthritis enhance the shock-absorbing properties of joint cartilage and block enzymes that break it down.
(MediDirect)
According to chondroitin supplement statistics, the shock-absorbing properties of cartilage allow the bones of the joint to glide over each other during movement painlessly.
Chondroitin Use: Statistics and Facts
14. The excessive use of chondroitin may raise blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
(NCHR)
People who have diabetes need to monitor their sugar levels due to the inability of their body to produce insulin, which regulates blood sugar.
A constant intake of chondroitin and glucosamine (a type of complex sugar) by diabetic patients may also aid in increasing their blood sugar, as revealed by statistics on chondroitin and its side effects.
15. Nutraceuticals have the highest use of chondroitin, with a market share of 36%.
(Grand View Research)
The prevalence of osteoarthritis has led to the increased use of chondroitin supplements as pharmaceutical alternatives for the repair and recovery of depilated cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis.
16. Chondroitin from shark cartilage is rarely used in the production of supplements.
(Grand View Research)
Chondroitin statistics show that both shark and bovine cartilage are excellent sources of chondroitin.
Unfortunately, the world industries’ pursuit of shark chondroitin has put the marine predator on the list of endangered species.
17. Taking chondroitin can cause internal bleeding in people with a blood clotting disorder.
(WebMD)
The facts on chondroitin dosage indicate that the substance can interfere with anticoagulants in people with a blood clotting disorder, thereby increasing the risk of internal bleeding.
Chondroitin Supplement Statistics
18. The global CS market size could rise to $1.5 billion by 2027.
(Grand View Research)
According to recent statistics on the chondroitin market size, in 2019, the market was worth a staggering $1.14 billion.
By the end of 2020, its value is expected to rise to $1.2 billion and grow at a CAGR of 3.2% between 2020–2027.
19. The US market alone could generate up to 600 tonnes of CS by 2026.
(GlobeNewswire)
Factors that drive chondroitin sales—based on US statistics—include the increasing demand for supplements, prevalence of osteoarthritis, and aging population.
20. In 2019, bovine cartilage had the highest market share when it comes to chondroitin sources.
(Grand View Research)
According to the chondroitin consumption statistics, commercial chondroitin is most often produced from various animal sources, including pigs, chicken, fish, etc.
However, bovine cartilage accounted for more than 35% of the global chondroitin market revenue in 2019, making it the highest shareholder.
21. Bovine cartilage is the most preferred source of chondroitin.
(Grand View Research)
The global beef industry provides experts with easy access to bovine cartilage, making it the most preferred source of chondroitin for industries worldwide, according to the chondroitin market statistics.
22. With a CAGR of 3.4%, Asia is the fastest-growing chondroitin market.
(Grand View Research)
The chondroitin statistics show that the increasing consumer awareness of dietary supplements and the high rate of osteoarthritis are the major factors driving growth in the Asia Pacific region.
What’s more, the Asia-Pacific market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% between 2020 to 2027.
23. With a market share of 35%, North America is the largest market for chondroitin supplements.
(Grand View Research)
The main factors driving the chondroitin industry’s growth are the increased use of the substance in the US pharmaceutical industry and the FDA’s approval for using products infused with chondroitin.
FAQs
Where is chondroitin sulfate found in the body?
Chondroitin is naturally found in the connective tissues of the body and is a vital part of the cartilage in both humans and animals.
The shock-absorbing properties of chondroitin and its ability to retain water make it an essential component of cartilage.
Does chondroitin raise blood sugar?
Chondroitin may raise blood sugar in people with diabetes. This is because chondroitin is a complex sugar, and the body of diabetic patients is not capable of producing enough insulin to help regulate their normal blood sugar levels.
Adding another form of sugar is not a great idea, even though there’s no evidence that chondroitin increases the blood sugar in diabetic patients.
What is chondroitin sulfate?
Chondroitin sulfate is produced from animal by-products. It’s sold as a dietary supplement and used to treat osteoarthritis.
The substance is often used alongside glucosamine (another naturally occurring compound that exists in joint fluid). Research shows that when taken for more extended periods, both chondroitin and glucosamine can stop the deterioration of joint cartilage.
What is the most effective glucosamine/chondroitin?
Sodium chondroitin sulfate found in sharks is the most preferred form of chondroitin. This stems from its ability to treat various illnesses and diseases like arthritis, intestine inflammation, and HIV.
How much chondroitin should I take?
Most professionals recommend taking a daily dose of between 800–1,200 mg taken in divided amounts.
Wrapping Up
Both chondroitin and glucosamine are naturally occurring substances found in the body of both humans and animals. Their unique features and importance have led to their widespread application across various industries.
Chondroitin statistics reveal that the substance is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal feed, nutraceuticals, etc. Furthermore, there’s ongoing research to determine whether chondroitin has other potential benefits.
