Glucosamine is a compound found naturally in the body, made from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is needed to produce glycosaminoglycan, a molecule used in the formation and repair of cartilage and other body tissues such as heart valves, mucous membranes and synovial fluid, which is jelly like substance that fills the joints. It may also stimulate the growth of cartilage as well as repair it, and may also produce more.

Glucosamine is also present in blood where it is used to produce hyaluronic acid which is needed to heal skin injuries. Glucosamine is good for rebuilding worn muscles, tendons and cartilage and also promoting healthy joint function.

OK, that’s the boring bit over. So why do we need to take more? Well, like everything in the human body, production of glucosamine slows with age. So, the clever scientist people found a way to produce it artificially, so that we can put some back into our systems.

Glucosamine is used regularly by tens of thousands of joint pain sufferers as a natural way to effectively treat and prevent the symptoms associated with common joint problems, offering a significantly better quality of life.

Glucosamine has been found to be effective in the treatment and prevention of joint pains and problems including arthritis, inflammation, swelling and stiffness, sports injuries, cartilage degeneration and many more. Glucosamine has also been used to treat problems in horses, cats and dogs.

How is man made Glucosamine made?

Although Glucosamine is found naturally in the body, it can be man made and obtained from natural sources as a supplement. It is found naturally in sea creatures such as exoskeletons or crab shells, lobsters, and other shell fish which live on the sea bed. Vegetarian and vegan forms are also now becoming increasingly available. See the maize extract form below and also see our Vegetarian Supplement page for more vegetarian and vegan supplements.

Glucosamine has been studied for over forty years . It was apparently used in the 1960′s by physicians to provide relief for osteoarthritis sufferers and became popular in the United States in the mid 1990′s. It is now their most popular selling dietary supplement and is also a fast growing favourite in the UK as well.

What the scientists say.

There has been a lot of research done on Glucosamine which show it works well with many conditions.

Health professionals say that Glucosamine either by itself or combined with chondroitin sulphate can be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

They do also state that reduced symptoms often do not occur until several weeks after first taking Glucosamine, and the benefits continue for up to two months after stopping taking Glucosamine. They also found no evidence suggesting that continued use may reduce the effects of Glucosamine.

So, Is Glucosamine safe to take?

All herbal products are governed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Foods standards agency in the UK. However, this does not guarantee that Glucosamine is safe to take for everyone as it is a natural supplement and can affect people in different ways.

In trials, no safety problems and few side affects have been noted. However, if you are unsure, you should consult your doctor before taking it. If you have any medical condition, do consult your doctor before taking any supplement. If any side effects are felt then stop taking the supplement immediately and consult your doctor.

Can Everyone take Glucosamine?

There are a some people for whom taking Glucosamine would be unadvisable:

Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
People with diabetes or sugar level conditions.
Anyone allergic to shellfish, as Glucosamine is made from shellfish and may cause a reaction.
People with blood thinning conditions or who are on blood thinning medicines
Children and babies should not take Glucosamine as insufficient test have been carried out to prove it safe for them to take.

If in doubt, consult your doctor.

Is it safe to take with other supplements and drugs?

Glucosamine should be used with care and you should consult your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, or supplements before taking Glucosamine. You should also advise your doctor of any other supplements you take when they are about to prescribe mew medicines to you as some herbal supplements can react with some drugs. If you become aware of any side effects then do consult your doctor as it could be a reaction between medicines.

Recommended Dosages – how much should I take and how often?

These doses are based on scientific publications. Always read the label before taking any supplements and consult your doctor if you have any queries on dosages.

Most studies suggest 500mg strength Glucosamine taken three times daily or 1500mg once a day. It is not recommended to take more then 1500mg per day.

Are there any side effects associated with the taking of Glucosamine?

Glucosamine has been known to have some minor side effects in certain people such as upset stomach, drowsiness, insomnia, headache, skin reactions, nail toughening and sun sensitivity. There have also been rare reports of other symptoms such as; loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, and heartburn. These are however rare. If in doubt or if you are concerned, stop taking the medication and consult you doctor immediately.

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Filed under: Glucosamine • Supplement

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