| Glucosamine | |||||
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- Why glucosamine is good for you
- Important glucosamine facts
- Types of glucosamine supplementation
- Glucosamine supplementation checklist
- Glucosamine and health
- Glucosamine in foods
- How to take glucosamine
- Glucosamine works best with
- Overdosage, toxicity and cautions for glucosamine
Why glucosamine is good for you
Glucosamine is an approved treatment for arthritis in many countries around the world as it eases pain and inflammation, helps to repair damaged and ageing joints and gives a better range of movement.
Glucosamine occurs naturally in the body in high concentration in the joints and connective tissues. The body uses glucosamine to repair and maintain cartilage.
- Glucosamine provides relief to many arthritis sufferers
- Glucosamine may be even more effective than aspirin for relieving inflammation and pain and without the major gastrointestinal problems that aspirin has
- Glucosamine is also effective for dogs who have stiff joints
- Glucosamine is even more effective if it is taken with a chondroitin supplement at the same time
Types of glucosamine supplementation
Glucosamine is usually found in the following forms:
- Tablet - glucosamine powder is compressed and formed into a tablet
- Capsules - glucosamine powder is added to capsules
- Powder - glucosamine is crushed and made into a powder
People who wish to take a glucosamine supplement should talk to a medical professional BEFORE taking it.
Glucosamine supplementation checklist
- Take glucosamine with food to minimise stomach upset
- Benefits of glucosamine are more noticeable when taken over a long period of time
- Tablets are a convenient and quick way of getting glucosamine
- Glucosamine powder can be taken if a more controlled or lower dose is required to start
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Glucosamine is available in the following formats:
- Glucosamine sulphate (used in most studies)
- N-acetyl glucosamine
- Glucosamine hydrochloride
- Glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate combination (often contain manganese too)
- Osteoarthritis - glucosamine has been shown to be an effective treatment for managing and treating osteoarthritis by helping to build and repair cartilage tissue that has been damaged by the disease
People who wish to take a glucosamine supplement should talk to a medical professional BEFORE taking it.
Glucosamine is found in joints and connective tissue in the body.
Glucosamine is also found in shark cartilage.
Dosage of glucosamine depends on the condition that is being treat. A medical doctor and/or alternative health care provider can advise on individual cases - this information is provided as a guide only:
| lifestage | age | Amount (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| INFANTS | 0-12mths | Not recommended |
| CHILDREN | 1-8yrs | Not recommended |
| CHILDREN | 9-18yrs |
Not recommended |
| ADULTS | 19-50yrs |
Osteoarthritis 500mg 3 times a day up to 3 months, then 300mg 3 times a day |
| SENIORS | 51+yrs | Osteoarthritis 500mg 3 times a day up to 3 months, then 300mg 3 times a day |
| PREGNANT | Not recommended | |
| LACTATING | Not recommended |
People who wish to take an glucosamine supplement should talk to a medical professional BEFORE taking it.
Overdosage, toxicity and cautions for glucosamine
Glucosamine does not normally cause many side effects, but the following have been reported:
- heartburn
- nausea
- headache
- drowsiness
- rash
CAUTION
- People on Diuretic Drugs - glucosamine may interact with certain diuretic drugs, nullifying their effects
references
- Clegg D, et al. Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and the Two in Combination for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis. New England Journal of Medicine, 23 February 2006, 354:795-808
- Groff J L, Gropper SS, Hunt SM, Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. West Publishing, USA, 1995
- Hughes R, Carr A. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of glucosamine sulphate as an analgesic in osteoarthritis of the knee. Rheumatology 2002; 41: 279-284
- H Müller-Fassbender, GL Bach, W Haase, LC Rovati, I Setnikar. Glucosamine sulphate compared to ibuprofen in osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 1994 2: 61-9
- Pavelká K, et al. Glucosamine Sulfate Use and Delay of Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis: A 3-Year, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-blind Study. Arch Intern Med. 2002;162:2113-2123
