Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine (C₆H₁₄NO₅) is a dietary supplement distributed as a salt — usually as glucosamine HCl, glucosamine sulfate potassium, or glucosamine sulfate sodium. A typical dosage is 1,500 mg per day. The salt complexes, glucosamine sulfate _* KCl or glucosamine sulfate _* NaCl, or the hydrochloride, glucosamine sulfate _* HCl, are required for stabiliity. more...

Home

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate

Gemzar

Geodon

Gleevec

Gliadel

Glucosamine sulfate is a synthetic version of a compound the human body makes to stimulate the growth of cartilage. The idea is that such compounds help rebuild cartilage and reduce the symptoms of arthritis.

The supplement is an acceptable treatment in veterinary medicine, but the Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology have not yet officially recommended it for humans, despite a large body of evidence supporting its use and the fact that it is considered a drug in several countries around the world. The United States Food and Drug Administration does not approve any dietary supplement, and, as such, at this time glucosamine is sold as a nutritional supplement and therefore does not need evidence of safety and efficacy. Glucosamine has been studied for over 20 years. As a natural substance that is already present inside the body, evidence bears out that glucosamine appears to be quite safe. One caveat - there is limited evidence that individuals with an allergy to shellfish should avoid glucosamine, as it is is usually derived from shellfish. There are vegetarian sources available.

Current research shows it may play a role in relieving pain associated with osteoarthritis. As used, it is often paired with MSM. The National Institutes of Health conducted a multi-arm, placebo-controlled study to see the effects of chondroitin and glucosamine on osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Recent results of a 6-month clinical trial indicate that chondroitin sulfate (1.2 g) plus glucosamine (1.5 g) daily were as effective in relieving osteoarthritic knee pain as Celebrex, but more study would be helpful.

Read more at Wikipedia.org

• [List your site here Free!]

Joint-support supplement - Ask Our Experts - glucosamine - Brief Article
From Men's Fitness, 2/1/02

I've heard that glucosamine is good for joint support. What is it and how does it work? Also, what type, and how much, should I take?

--P.M., Cleveland, OH

Glucosamine is an excellent supplement for supporting a joint either before or after injury. Often, people wait until after an injury to be concerned about their joints, but adding glucosamine to your supplement regimen (and using proper lifting form and avoiding high-impact exercises) can help you prevent joint injury in the first place.

"Chemically, glucosamine is a combination of glucose and amino acids, and it has been extensively studied for joint health and support," says Alan Shugarman, M.S., R.D. "It comes in several different forms, the most common being sulfate salt. Other forms include hydrochloride salt, N-acetyl glucosamine and chlorohydrate salts. Look for these distinctions on the supplement's label.

"The salt forms are more readily absorbed in comparison to glucosamine alone, with the sulfate salt variety having the best absorption rate in studies," says Shugarman. "Only about 10 percent of orally supplemented glucosamine salts actually stay in the body; the rest are burned as fuel or excreted. When you supplement glucosamine, it accumulates in the liver, kidneys and articular cartilage. Once it reaches the chondrocytes, the cells that produce cartilage, the glucosamine is incorporated. Eventually, it forms a viscous fluid that helps protect and lubricate the joint surfaces and cartilage."

Regarding dosages, "experts suggest that 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine per day should be consumed, preferably from the sulfate or hydrochloride salt form," Shugarman says. "Many products combine the 1,500 mg of glucosamine with 1,200 mg of chondroitin. You can take three capsules all at once or one capsule three different times during the day with equal effectiveness."

Return to Glucosamine

Home

Contact

Resources

Exchange Links

ebay