What Are The Benefits of Glucosamine? – The Most Important Ones
Along with chondroitin, glucosamine is one of the most popular supplements to take. In fact, it’s the most popular supplement to take that isn’t a vitamin or mineral. The benefits of glucosamine aren’t quite clear, but it is most often used both as an arthritis remedy and for general joint pain relief. You can’t think of “arthritis relief” without thinking of either chondroitin or Glucosamine. Both of them are usually blended together in arthritis relief supplements. However, what are the true benefits of glucosamine? There has to be some, otherwise millions of people would be taking it.
Glucosamine is a natural substance, found in shellfish and in bone marrow. It is also found in joint cartilage which is one of the reasons joint health is often stated as a benefit of glucosamine. Therefore, glucosamine can be considered a type of alternative medicine. The type of glucosamine sold commercially is extracted from shellfish and is sold in several forms—pills, capsules, liquid, or as a powder to be mixed with beverages. The usual dosage is 1,500 milligrams, the same amount in all common supplement forms. As stated earlier, glucosamine is usually mixed with chondroitin for the “ultimate arthritis remedy.”
There are three major benefits to taking glucosamine. First, Glucosamine helps to slow the deterioration of cartilage in the joints. This is due to glucosamine being a natural component of joint cartilage. A second benefit of glucosamine is the relief it brings to osteoarthritis sufferers. In fact, a study showed that taking a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement was significantly more effective for those with moderate to severe pain. The third benefit of taking Glucosamine is an improvement in joint mobility, whether or not a person has arthritis. As we all know, joint mobility means more flexibility, and it makes it much easier to get around without all the aches and pains.
Along with the many benefits of glucosamine, there are side effects to taking Glucosamine as well. Along with more ordinary side effects such as nausea, stomach upset, heartburn and diarrhea, people considering taking glucosamine should know the additional side effects. Blood glucose levels may rise, and this is of prime importance to those people with insulin resistance or diabetes. Those who are allergic to shellfish might worry that glucosamine supplements are derived from shellfish. The risk of an allergic reaction is very low, however, since the allergen resides in the flesh of the fish. While consumers need to keep in mind the side effects, there are many great benefits to taking glucosamine, including improved joint health and flexibility.
