Benefits of Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM for Dogs
As your dog enters the senior years, you may notice they don’t move around as much or as easily as they once did. Many times, the slower movements can indicate joint pain due to degeneration and arthritis.
Glucosamine, chondroitin or MSM are compounds that may support your pet's mobility. Thus, it is helpful to know how each of these compounds works.
Glucosamine for Dogs
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body. It is the first compound required in the synthesis of all nitrogen containing sugars in the body, and it provides the building blocks the body needs to build cartilage. As people and dogs age production of glucosamine by the body slows resulting in a drop in natural levels in the body. This can lead to joint degeneration as the body’s ability to repair damaged cartilage is negatively affected by decreased levels of glucosamine.
Glucosamine can help ease pain from arthritis as your dog ages. Scientific studies suggest using a glucosamine can help treat osteoarthritis, especially in the hip and knee joints. As your pet ages, you will want to consider giving your dog glucosamine to provide continued support to the body’s natural repair processes.
Dog glucosamine formulations come in many different forms to give you an option that best suits your dog.
Chondroitin for Dogs
Often, dog food formulated for joint health includes chondroitin for dogs as an ingredient. Like glucosamine, chondroitin is a compound that occurs naturally in the body and contributes to the health of joints and cartilage.
It is a glycosaminogly can that serves an important role in the structure of cartilage and contributes to its ability to resist compression forces. When combined with glucosamine, chondroitin can help replenish important components to repair damaged cartilage and slow the degenerative process. Chondroitin also has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to block and reduce the level of enzymes present in the joints that break down cartilage. The enzymes are naturally present in joints but increase in the event of injury or abnormal wear on the cartilage.
Chondroitin is an important ingredient for older dogs to help combat the degenerative process in joints.
Methylsulfonlylmethane (MSM) for Dogs
MSM is a naturally occurring compound that contains sulfur and appears to have anti-inflammatory and pain reducing qualities. Sulfur is present in cells throughout the body and occurs in the highest concentrations in the hair, skin, nails and joints. It is a key element for cell membrane permeability and allows cells to pump nutrients in and waste and toxins out. Once the toxins are outside of the cells, MSM will scavenge foreign proteins and free radicals to safely eliminate them from the body. Studies report that MSM also strengthens cartilage and other connective tissues by forming cross-linkages with disulfide bonds. These bonds help maintain structural integrity in the cartilage. In addition, MSM helps reduce pain by blocking the transmission of pain impulses in nerve fibers before they reach the brain.
MSM can be synthesized in the laboratory but can also be harvested from the cellular walls of pine trees, ocean plankton, or other primitive plants. All sources yield an equally effective product.
As your dog ages they may experience degeneration of the smooth cartilage in joints leading to pain, inflammation and osteoarthritis. Providing compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to your canine friend can help slow degenerative joint disease.
References
https://petpad.net/dogs/joint-care/benefits-of-glucosamine-chondroitin-and-msm-for-dogs/
Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate on Cartilage Metabolism in OA: Outlook on Other Nutrient Partners Especially Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Volume 2011 |Article ID 969012
