Glucosamine, Growth

[earlboykins]

Hello,

Couple questions -

Is it true that Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are unnecessary and a waste of money for young people? I am seventeen, sprained 5 different joints and some cartilage stress from sports - Would I benefit from it?
If so, what dosage? I know they come in 500mg Glucosamine and 400 mg Chondroitin per tablet...The companies say 3 tabs per day (1500mg GS, 1200mg Cho.), some say 2 tabs and some say just 1 per day.


Also, can sprains and knee/back stress damage growth plates and thus stunt growth? Or does that only occur with fractures?


Thanks!

[sydunisportsmed]

Glucosamine and chondroitin are great supplements, because they are off patent and relatively cheap. Few known major side effects and they are helpful in delaying degeneration of cartilage. If you don't have any cartilage degeneration, they may not help, but they probably won't hurt anyway.