Glucosamine + chondroitin from shark, no gel shell

SureDawgNube

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Getting on in one's years, one finds that resistance and/or impact training requires some joint fortification. Glucosamine + chondroitin has been my go-to supplement, despite the lack of indisputable statistical evidence from well designed studies. I find that things generally tend to improve a few months after taking them, though by no means does it eliminate joint problems.

My issue is the inability to vet sources with any degree of confidence to ensure that the chondroitin component comes from shark products rather than cow products. Quite apart from my inability to check the veracity of claims, it's also quite hard to identify products that ostensibly meet my criterion. For example, I found one very niche product that says the chondroitin is from shark, but then says that the supplement comes in gelatin capsule. Which is made from ...(guess what) ???

I was completely baffled by why a vendor would go to the trouble of having the chondroitin component come from sharks, then undermine the whole effort by encapsulating the product in gelatin. Sure, most buyers probably wouldn't realize that gelatin comes from bovine products, but the vendor sure as heck knew. I got the impression that they didn't fully understand the general concerns in play, and just wanted a product that checked off the boxes of consumer concerns as far as the vendor could superficially identify them.

Anyway, if anyone is aware of something from a reputable source that avoids bovine products, thanks if you can chime in. I realize that there are "threats" to product and supply chain security, such as counterfeit goods (especially ordering online) so I intend to buy either directly from the manufacturer or to first verify with the manufacturer that a vendor on (say) amazon is really them.
 
Getting on in one's years, one finds that resistance and/or impact training requires some joint fortification. Glucosamine + chondroitin has been my go-to supplement, despite the lack of indisputable statistical evidence from well designed studies. I find that things generally tend to improve a few months after taking them, though by no means does it eliminate joint problems.

My issue is the inability to vet sources with any degree of confidence to ensure that the chondroitin component comes from shark products rather than cow products. Quite apart from my inability to check the veracity of claims, it's also quite hard to identify products that ostensibly meet my criterion. For example, I found one very niche product that says the chondroitin is from shark, but then says that the supplement comes in gelatin capsule. Which is made from ...(guess what) ???

I was completely baffled by why a vendor would go to the trouble of having the chondroitin component come from sharks, then undermine the whole effort by encapsulating the product in gelatin. Sure, most buyers probably wouldn't realize that gelatin comes from bovine products, but the vendor sure as heck knew. I got the impression that they didn't fully understand the general concerns in play, and just wanted a product that checked off the boxes of consumer concerns as far as the vendor could superficially identify them.

Anyway, if anyone is aware of something from a reputable source that avoids bovine products, thanks if you can chime in. I realize that there are "threats" to product and supply chain security, such as counterfeit goods (especially ordering online) so I intend to buy either directly from the manufacturer or to first verify with the manufacturer that a vendor on (say) amazon is really them.

How about consumer concern over, heavy metal contamination within sharks in general, or the general unsustainable fishing of sharks.
 
Getting on in one's years, one finds that resistance and/or impact training requires some joint fortification. Glucosamine + chondroitin has been my go-to supplement, despite the lack of indisputable statistical evidence from well designed studies. I find that things generally tend to improve a few months after taking them, though by no means does it eliminate joint problems.

My issue is the inability to vet sources with any degree of confidence to ensure that the chondroitin component comes from shark products rather than cow products. Quite apart from my inability to check the veracity of claims, it's also quite hard to identify products that ostensibly meet my criterion. For example, I found one very niche product that says the chondroitin is from shark, but then says that the supplement comes in gelatin capsule. Which is made from ...(guess what) ???

I was completely baffled by why a vendor would go to the trouble of having the chondroitin component come from sharks, then undermine the whole effort by encapsulating the product in gelatin. Sure, most buyers probably wouldn't realize that gelatin comes from bovine products, but the vendor sure as heck knew. I got the impression that they didn't fully understand the general concerns in play, and just wanted a product that checked off the boxes of consumer concerns as far as the vendor could superficially identify them.

Anyway, if anyone is aware of something from a reputable source that avoids bovine products, thanks if you can chime in. I realize that there are "threats" to product and supply chain security, such as counterfeit goods (especially ordering online) so I intend to buy either directly from the manufacturer or to first verify with the manufacturer that a vendor on (say) amazon is really them.

What's your beef with beef, they could use cellulose based capsules but useless you have some issues with religious beliefs, what is your problem
 
Seeing as it's just a placebo, who cares what the source is?
 
The point about sourcing chondroitin from sharks is well taken. Not sure how to deal with the risk of BSE, and the lack of oversight in the sources of the ingredients. It all seems like a black box.

The most recent dated info from 2016:
http://www.verywell.com/mad-cow-disease-and-chondroitin-188114

Mayo clinic mention of the risk (amongst many others):
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/chondroitin-sulfate/safety/hrb-20058926

Old or undated articles:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/madcow/safety41001.php
http://www.synflexamerica.com/includes/data/chondroitin.html
http://www.liveinthenow.com/article...droitin-an-important-message-from-jean-carper
(This downplays the concern)

Undated potential solutions:
http://summitnutritionals.com/mad-cow-disease-chondroitin
http://www.htl-bio.com/products/299/chondroitin.php
 
The point about sourcing chondroitin from sharks is well taken. Not sure how to deal with the risk of BSE, and the lack of oversight in the sources of the ingredients. It all seems like a black box.

The most recent dated info from 2016:
http://www.verywell.com/mad-cow-disease-and-chondroitin-188114

Mayo clinic mention of the risk (amongst many others):
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/chondroitin-sulfate/safety/hrb-20058926

Old or undated articles:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/madcow/safety41001.php
http://www.synflexamerica.com/includes/data/chondroitin.html
http://www.liveinthenow.com/article...droitin-an-important-message-from-jean-carper
(This downplays the concern)

Undated potential solutions:
http://summitnutritionals.com/mad-cow-disease-chondroitin
http://www.htl-bio.com/products/299/chondroitin.php

So what is the problem with the gelatin for capsules..........

Moooooo
 
Er..you asked a tough question. I initially only googled superficially to determine that there was a mad cow risk with gelatin. After reading some more, it seems that the risk is low. Still, the risk has not been shown to be completely zero, so if there is a low-hassle way to eliminate that risk, why not? I've had glucosamine+chondroitin tablets that didn't have an outer lining, and that would be preferrable.
 
Er..you asked a tough question. I initially only googled superficially to determine that there was a mad cow risk with gelatin. After reading some more, it seems that the risk is low. Still, the risk has not been shown to be completely zero, so if there is a low-hassle way to eliminate that risk, why not? I've had glucosamine+chondroitin tablets that didn't have an outer lining, and that would be preferrable.

Can you guarantee that the product is actually from shark........
 
No, I can't. But I am consider outright deception to be lower probability than lack of inspection as to country of origin (which is the protection measure for BSE). It may be an incorrect assumption, but really, anything at all can be deception. I have no way to confirm anything. It all boils down to a subjective feel for what is more likely.
 
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I thought shark products were liked to Alzheimers or something
 
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