Glucosamine containing glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid is vital for the function of articular cartilage. GAG chains are fundamental components of aggrecan found in articular cartilage. Aggrecan confers upon articular cartilage shock-absorbing properties. It does this by providing cartilage with a swelling pressure that is restrained by the tensile forces of collagen fibers. This balance confers upon articular cartilage the deformable resilience vital to its function.
Chondroitin sulfate has similar molecules. Glycoproteins known as proteoglycans form the ground substance in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue. Proteoglycans are polyanionic substances of high molecular weight and contain heteropolysaccharide-side-chains covalently linked to a polypeptide-chain backbone. The polysaccharides, which include chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, make up as much as 95% of the proteoglycan structure.
MSM is a supercharged source of biological sulfur, which is necessary for the formation of all healthy body tissues including the bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. It also helps relieve minor pain due to injury.
