Glucosamine – A Quick Overview
Glucosamine is quite the nifty little substance. This chemical, found in nature as part of cartilage tissue, is one half of an anti-arthritis partnership found in a countless number of nutritional supplements, with chondroitin being the other partner. What makes glucosamine so great is its versatility. While it’s usually associated with arthritis, glucosamine can be taken for overall joint health, whether or not you have arthritis.Glucosamine is sometimes considered to be a “magical” supplement.
Glucosamine is naturally made in joints and on the shells of certain shellfish. In simple terms, it’s the end result of glucose bonding with an amino acid. It is harvested for commercial use from those same shellfish. Its location in joints is why it’s so popular with people suffering from arthritis. Glucosamine is easy to take and comes in several forms, including powder for those who can’t swallow pills. It is a type of alternative medicine, much like melatonin, turmeric, or St. John’s wort. The most common dosage is 1,500 milligrams, although it is available in 1,000 milligram form as well. It must be stressed that although glucosamine can be bought independent of chondroitin, it is usually sold mixed with chondroitin because of their similar yet independent relief properties.
Glucosamine has three basic benefits. First, due to its natural location in cartilage, it can slow down (but not prevent) the deterioration of cartilage. Secondly, taking glucosamine can result in an increase in flexibility and joint health. Finally, people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis can find comfort in the fact that taking glucosamine can reduce the suffering caused by these diseases. Let’s point out that since this is a supplement and not a drug, it cannot claim to cure anything, but it can work to lessen the severity or work to repair existing damage. Also, it is usually sold as Glucosamine sulfate, since it can be very unstable alone.
In addition to the benefits of glucosamine, side effects do exist. The most common side effects are upset stomach and diarrhea. There are other side effects of utmost importance to those who also have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Glucosamine will cause blood glucose levels to rise, so diabetics should watch their blood sugar levels while taking the supplement. The side effects are not a regular occurrence, so those should not dissuade people from giving glucosamine a try. The benefits of taking a glucosamine sulfate supplement, including improved joint health and flexibility, outweigh any of the possible side effects.
