DESEJR® glucosamine and chondroitin review

A simple guide to glucosamine and chondroitin for runners and my review of the DESEJR® joint supplements.

DESEJR® Glucosamine and Chondroitin for runners

This is a sponsored post by DESEJR® – a Danish supplement company backed by science and inspired by nature. Although the supplements were sent for review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Knee pain affects upwards of 25% of adults in the UK, and as a runner, you’re at greater risk than the general population. 

Often, those struggling with knee pain search for the best joint supplements, hoping for some magical pill that will wish away their aches, pains, and creaky knees.

I’m sorry to disappoint, but no such solution exists.

Glucosamine and chondroitin for runners is not a magical pill, but it may help relieve joint pain, help you overcome an injury, and alleviate and prevent future aches and pains.

So, this article is a review of the DESEJR® glucosamine and chondroitin for runners supplement.

I’ll discuss what it is, the benefits for runners, how it works, potential side effects, and more.

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for runners – why take it?

Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds found in cartilage (tough tissue that covers the surface of joints). 

As a runner, you’re more prone to excessive pavement-pounding than the average person.

So, naturally, joint degradation increases. 

Adding glucosamine and chondroitin to your diet may help slow this process down, re-building and repairing cartilage. 

And while current research is mixed, it’s thought that the two supplements may play a key role in maintaining healthy joints.

When it comes to glucosamine and chondroitin, many adopt an “if it works for you, then great” approach.

My review of the joint supplements by DESEJR®

DESEJR® is a Danish supplement company that puts science at the forefront of its products.

All supplements, including their glucosamine and chondroitin, are formulated in Denmark and meet European standards. 

But what makes DESEJR® different from other supplement brands?

For starters, their quality assurance is top-notch. The ingredients of their supplements are tested for purity and efficacy.

Second, the company is inspired by nature – selecting all supplements carefully and purposefully.

All supplements are also free of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), artificial colours and flavours, and most common allergens.

To help you better understand my experience with glucosamine and chondroitin, I’ll discuss the benefits paired with my personal experience and my concluding thoughts, but first, a bit of context.

A bit of context…

I’ve been suffering from knee pain for the last eight months, with symptoms including aches and pains, my knee getting tired easily, and intense pain when going up hills.

For the last six weeks, I’ve been taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.

And for the last three weeks, I’ve been performing new rehab exercises to help with my knee pain. 

The jury is still out on the cause of the pain – it’s either something to do with weakness in my right hip or pain related to something a little more serious.

But either way, it’s still knee pain. And it sucks.

Okay, now that my little story is out of the way, let’s continue…

What are the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin for runners?

There are many possible benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin – most of which relate to joint health for runners and others experiencing aches and pains.

Anyways, potential benefits include:

  • Improved joint health and reduced stiffness
  • May help protect cartilage and the joints 
  • Reduced inflammation 

Improved joint health and reduced stiffness

A meta-analysis assessing the effectiveness of chondroitin and glucosamine of twenty-six articles found these joint supplements to reduce joint stiffness and alleviate pain. 

Although my knee was never stiff, joint function seems to have improved. 

While this could be a result of rehab and strengthening exercises, it could also be a result of the supplements – supporting previous findings.

May help protect cartilage and the joints

Cartilage covers the joints – a type of tissue that is tough and flexible, acting as a shock absorber for bones to slide over each other.

If this cartilage is damaged or worn down, this can cause bone-on-bone issues, such as osteoarthritis. 

The Arthritis Foundation states that glucosamine and chondroitin may help slow cartilage deterioration, helping to reduce stiffness.

And while stiffness is not something I suffer from, it’s a symptom many people suffering from knee pain encounter daily. 

So, if you do have stiff joints, it could be cartilage related. But your doctor will know more about that!

Reduced inflammation

WebMD mentions glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to help reduce chronic inflammation.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve experienced less heat in my knee despite being more active (which previously triggered intense inflammation).

This could be down to new rehab exercises, or it could be a mix of both the supplements kicking in and the new exercises.

But so far, on the inflammation side of things, things are looking good.

Are there any side effects?

As with any supplement, there are a few potential side effects.

In general, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for runners are thought to be safe. But, as stated by Health Harvard, potential symptoms may include:

  • Heartburn or abdominal pain
  • Headaches
  • Diarrhoea
  • Drowsiness
  • Allergic reactions to shellfish 

Not everyone experiences side effects.

Some people will experience no side effects, and others may be unable to take these popular joint paints due to allergies (mainly shellfish allergies). 

For me, I experienced no side effects. 

But if you’re looking to try these supplements yourself, ensure not to change too much in terms of your diet and lifestyle to get a true picture of any side effects you encounter.

And as always, contact a health professional before trying new supplements (especially if you’re on medication and/or have a shellfish allergy).

So, do I recommend glucosamine and chondroitin?

It can take weeks of supplementation to experience the potential benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin, as stated by MedicineNet

Despite this, I have noticed a slight reduction in knee pain and a lot less potential inflammation (no hot knee). 

This could be a result of adopting a new rehab routine, or perhaps taking these supplements for over six weeks.

OR it could be a mix of both.

Either way, if you’re suffering from knee pain, joint stiffness, or other joint issues, then I’d recommend trying out the DESEJR® Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement.

It’s an inexpensive method that may help alleviate knee pain, fast-tracking your recovery, and helping you return to running (or another sport).

Or, if you’re looking for ways to reduce your risk of injury and improve training longevity, then it’s also a good option!

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Frequently asked questions

Below you’ll find some frequently asked questions about chondroitin and glucosamine for runners:

Is glucosamine chondroitin good for runners?

Yes! This popular supplement is thought to improve joint health.

What do runners take for joint pain?

Glucosamine and chondroitin are widely used supplements to help alleviate joint pain for runners.

Does glucosamine help athletes?

While the existing research is mixed, glucosamine may contribute to healthy joint function for athletes.

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