Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Are They NCAA Banned?

It is permissible for an institution to provide glucosamine and chondroitin to a student-athlete for medical purposes, provided such substances are prescribed by a licensed medical doctor (as opposed to an athletic trainer) to treat a specific, diagnosed medical condition (as opposed to prescribing them for preventive reasons). These supplements must be necessary to enable the student-athlete to participate in intercollegiate athletics.

[References: NCAA Bylaws 16.4.1 (medical expenses – permissible) and 16.5.2.2 (nutritional supplements); 07/26/00 official interpretation, Item No. 1]