Joint Supplementation for the BJJ Athlete
Glucosamine is important for maintaining elasticity, strength, and durability of the cartilage in movable joints. Glucosamine also appears to have anti-inflammatory properties and could be used to promote the maintenance of joint function and to decrease pain in individuals suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). Glucosamine may act synergistically with chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate is a critical compound in connective tissue and joint cartilage. Supplementation with chondroitin sulfate is claimed to support the maintenance of strong, healthy cartilage and joint function.
The use of glucosamine based products for osteoarthritis and other issues related to joint pain began decades ago and has become a mainstay in many medicine cabinets across the country. The purported benefits are improvement in joint pain and protection of the joints. There are dozens and dozens of studies that show a benefit from using glucosamine supplementation and nearly as many demonstrating that it has no more efficacy than a placebo.
As practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu we put our joints under strain on a regular basis. Aches and pains have become an accepted price that we pay for training but there may options available to you that can lessen or eliminate the pain.