Chondroitin sulfates act like "water magnets" within joint cartilage (whereas glucosamine helps to form the proteoglycans that sit within the spaces in the cartilage 'netting' to act like "water holders"). A long chain of repeating sugars, chondroitin helps attract fluid into the proteoglycan molecules, which acts both as a spongy shock absorber for the bones, and also as a mechanism to sweep body nutrients into the cartilage for nourishment & lubrication.

Additionally, chondroitin inhibits the destructive action of certain enzymes which naturally degenerate the cartilage, interferes with other natural enzymes which tend to impede the transport of nutrients to cartilage, stimulates the production of cartilage matrix molecules, and enhances synergistically the action of the glucosamines.

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