This article will explain what a glucosamine supplement is, what it does and who can benefit from it. You will also learn what a normal glucosamine dosage is and what other conditions will benefit from using glucosamine supplements
Glucosamine is a natural substance made from glutamine (amino acids) and glucose (sugars). You’re body will use glucosamine to repair cartilage and body tissues. You’re body is able to produce more glucosamine when you are younger. The bodies’ process of producing glucosamine will slow with age, leading to possible muscle and joint problems like arthritis.
The fact that we lose glucosamine as we get older has lead to the availability of purchasing glucosamine as a supplement. Glucosamine supplements often contain another substance found naturally in our cartilage called chondroitin, or methyl sulfonyl methane. This substance is found naturally in foods like cow’s milk and contributes sulfur to the supplement.
People who suffer from osteoarthritis, especially of the knees are often prescribed glucosamine supplements. Glucosamine is given to help replace the natural glucosamine that you’re body no longer makes. Glucosamine is believed to help repair damaged cartilage that causes the osteoarthritis.
Research has shown that glucosamine can help relieve the pain in you’re knees. Glucosamine also helps reduce the progression of osteoarthritis. A recent study used glucosamine combined with hydrochloride (less popular form) found the results to be not very effective. The same study also found that glucosamine combined with chondroitin, did little to reduce the pain in the knees. People, who participated in the study, had a better response with pain reduction using pure glucosamine. That’s not to say that chondrotin will not help you in other ways.
One thousand five hundred mg per day is the recommended dosage of glucosamine to help treat osteoarthritis. Experts suggest trying glucosamine for a three month trial period. If there is no improvement after this time period, stop using it. Obviously if there is improvement then continue to use the supplement.
Glucosamine when used short term is usually tolerated by you’re body quite well. The long term use by some individuals can develop mild side effects. Some people may notice an increase in blood sugar levels if they are Type I or Type II diabetics, people with diabetes should be closely monitored. You may also notice an increase in blood pressure.
People who use glucosamine and suffer from bleeding disorders or who are taking blood thinner medications may increase their risk of bleeding. At the time of writing this article it is not known if glucosamine is safe for women who are pregnant or nursing. Consult with your physician.
A few more uses for glucosamine are for conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even some skin conditions.
I believe that glucosamine has been beneficial to my own knee problems. One thing I never do is take more then the daily recommended dosage. Please read the label carefully.
The fact that you can purchase glucosamine supplements online doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t first consult with you’re physician. Always and I repeat always consult with you’re physician before taking any supplement to ensure that you are not harming yourself. Especially if you are currently taking any medications, pregnant, nursing or you have any current health problems.
Hans K Anderson
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