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Contains the active ingredients glucosamine
hydrochloride (500mg),
chondroitin sulphate (400mg) and
manganese gluconate (45.5mg)

Cosamin®DS are purple and white gelatine capsules, each containing;

• GLUCOSAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE (99+% Purity) 500mg
• CHONDROITIN SULPHATE BOVINE 100% Purity) 400mg
• MANGANESE GLUCONATE 45.5mg (EQUIVALENT MANGANESE 5mg)
• CALCIUM ASCORBATE 80mg (EQUIVALENT ASCORBIC ACID 66mg)

Contains no added colorants, preservatives or other additives. Packaged in plastic, sealed, airtight bottles of 60 or 180 capsules containing a desiccant.

Glucosamine hydrochloride is a readily absorbed amino sugar found in the joints of mammals. When taken as a dietary supplement, glucosamine provides supplemental glucosamine to assist the metabolic function of cartilage and promote production of cartilage building proteins.

Chondroitin sulphate is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) produced by cartilage and certain other body tissues. The chain length and molecular size of chondroitin sulphate in Cosamin®DS ensures it is over 70% absorbed. Taken as a supplement, chondroitin sulphate helps maintain the structural integrity of cartilage and inhibits the metalloproteases that promote joint degeneration.

Glucosamine and chondroitin act synergistically to assist cartilage production and protect existing cartilaginous tissue.

Manganese is an essential trace element and a co-factor in the synthesis of GAGs.
Supplemental manganese ensures an adequacy of this mineral to ensure efficient synthesis of GAGs.

Cosamin®DS is indicated as a dietary supplement where joint dysfunction is associated with the degenerative changes of osteoarthritis, or when supplemental glucosamine and chondroitin may be considered beneficial for maintaining joint structure and function.

There are no known contraindications for Cosamin®DS. However, persons taking anticoagulant therapy are advised to have clotting times regularly checked when taking Cosamin®DS. Diabetics are advised to monitor blood glucose levels regularly when taking Cosamin®DS. No studies have evaluated the use of Cosamin®DS during pregnancy or lactation. It should be taken with caution and medical advice during pregnancy and lactation.

Safety studies with Cosamin®DS show no demonstrable toxicity. Some individuals may experience mild, reversible, intestinal flatulence, especially at initial dose rates. This can usually be alleviated by taking Cosamin®DS with meals followed by a glass of water. At maintenance rates, no disadvantages have been reported.

During the initial 60 day period: Adults weighing under 90kg should take three (3) capsules daily (2 in the morning and 1 in the evening). Individuals weighing over 90kg should take two (2) capsules twice a day.

For children, consult your physician or pharmacist.

After 60 days:The number of capsules can be gradually decreased to a level that maintains the individual. The number of capsules may be increased at any time. For individuals who have difficulty swallowing, capsules may be pulled apart and mixed with food or dissolved in juice or other liquid.

Store in a cool, dry place.

The US Arthritis Foundation suggests:
"When a supplement has been studied with good results, find out which brand was used in the study and buy that."
This is sound advice. While some companies claim to have published peer-reviewed controlled clinical studies, CosaminDS has the proof to make that claim. Recent studies on CosaminDS have been published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, and Military Medicine. CosaminDS has been studied in more that 45 human, animal and laboratory trials.

Unlike OTC drugs, brands of dietary supplements are not equivalent.
Cosamin®DS is the only glucosamine/chondroitin product that uses 100% pure low molecular weight (LMW) chondroitin sulphate, the chondroitin sulphate used in published clinical studies in Europe and the United States. NIH recently selected the identical chondroitin sulphate for its $14 million study of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. Cosamin®DS meets the new standard for chondroitin sulphate as proposed by the United States Pharmacopoeia ("USP"). USP establishes authoritative standards for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industry.
No other brand uses the identical high purity combination of ingredients found in Cosamin®DS.

In a US survey conducted by Orthopaedics Today of 1,000 orthopaedic surgeons and rheumatologists in July 2005, july 2003 and April 2000, Cosamin®DS was the #1 recommended brand.

When you see the claims in magazines that raise suspicion, call the company and ask for the proof. If a company claims to have clinical studies, ask them for copies of the studies on their brand. You owe it to yourself to be assured that a claim in an advertisement is substantiated.
All studies and references in this publication are available upon request.
"When a supplement has been studied with good results, find out which brand was used in the study, and buy that"