Safety Issues References Chondroitin sulfate is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It is a major constituent of cartilage the tough, elastic connective tissue found in the joints. Furthermore, chondroitin may go beyond treating symptoms and actually protect joints from damage. However, more research needs to be performed to prove definitively that this exciting possibility is real. Sources Chondroitin is not an essential nutrient.
Animal cartilage is the only dietary source of chondroitin.
Unless you enjoy chewing gristle, you d do best to obtain chondroitin in pill form from a health food store or pharmacy. The usual dosage of chondroitin is 400 mg taken 3 times daily. The results take weeks to develop. In commercial products it is often combined with glucosamine . Preliminary information from one animal study suggests that this combination may be superior to either treatment alone.