Glucosamine?

Answer 1

What is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine is beneficial to sufferers of osteoarthritis pain -- both humans and pets. It has been proven effective in easing osteoarthritis pain, rehabilitating cartilage, renewing synovial fluid, and repairing joints that have been damaged from osteoarthritis.

Each person and animal produces a certain amount of glucosamine within their bodies. As you grow older, your body loses the capacity to make enough glucosamine, so the cartilage in your weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, and hands is destroyed, then hardens and forms bone spurs, causing pain, deformed joints, limited joint movement and limping.

There have been many double blind placebo controlled trials and studies done on glucosamine. In many trials and studies, glucosamine has shown to be very effective at:

Easing osteoarthritis pain
Easing articular joint pain
Rehabilitating damaged cartilage
Slowing deterioration of cartilage from osteoarthritis
Improving mobility
Stimulating the production of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and synovial fluid
With such great news spreading very quickly, the glucosamine industry became very large. Almost every major nutraceutical or vitamin company put out a glucosamine product, and today it can be bought in just about every food store, health food store, vitamin store, wellness clinic, and chiropractors office.

However, in the rush to gain market share with their glucosamine product, companies often put out products with little regard to the quality of the product being produced. They rushed to the market and did not take the time to do essential testing procedures like perform lab analysis on their products. They used medium or low grade glucosamine products to save money and they produced glucosamine in pill or capsule form.

All glucosamine products are not the same. There are six main factors that you need to analyze when selecting a glucosamine product. These are:

Amount of glucosamine per daily dose
Type of glucosamine
Quality of Ingredients
Delivery System
Synergistic Ingredients
Price Per Day
One of the most important of these factors is the system of delivery. In a rush to market these products in 1999, 2000, and 2001, the very large majority of companies simply put their glucosamine in pill or capsule form. However, with glucosamine and all other vitamins and supplements, it is well known that liquids are absorbed faster and more effectively than solids. Absorption is a very important to look at, simply because if you are not absorbing the glucosamine, you will not have any relief whatsoever no matter how much you take.

The Science Backing Liquid Glucosamine
Early in 1998, the first tests on liquid glucosamine were completed. These test showed clearly that the absorption rate and bio-availability of the glucosamine in pills is significantly less than that when glucosamine is delivered in liquid form. The "claimed fact" that pills are the only and best way to obtain glucosamine is simply not true. Pills and capsules contain glucosamine that is in powder form. It is a well known fact that liquid is absorbed much better than powder.

The misconception that pills are the only and best way to obtain glucosamine is simply not true. Pills and capsules contain glucosamine that is in powder form. It is a well known fact that liquid is absorbed much better than powder, at a rate of 80-85% absorption. In short, glucosamine in liquid form is absorbed faster and it provides greater impact.

Instead of receiving some relief within 6 to 10 weeks, many people receive no relief at all with glucosamine in powder form or from capsules. Those who use a high quality liquid glucosamine formula can expect to notice results in about 7-14 days. As the pain eases, the liquid glucosamine also assists in rehabilitating the cartilage by renewing the supply of synovial fluid by producing the molecule nutrient proteoglycans.

Furthermore, for those who do not like to swallow pills, liquid glucosamine is much easier to take.

Safety
Glucosamine has been studied as a medical therapy since at least the early 1980s. The clinical studies have consistently reported that glucosamine appears safe. Although no allergic reactions have been reported, glucosamine is usually derived from shellfish, so individuals with an allergy to shellfish may wish to avoid glucosamine. Alternative sources using fungal fermentation of corn are available. Another concern has been that the extra glucosamine could contribute to diabetes by interfering with the normal regulation of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (Buse, 2006), but several investigations have found no evidence that this occurs (Scroggie et al., 2003). The U.S. National Institutes of Health is currently conducting a study of supplemental glucosamine in obese patients, since this population may be particularly sensitive to any effects of glucosamine on insulin resistance. [4]. Finally, in the United States, glucosamine is sold as a dietary supplement, so safety and formulation is solely the responsibility of the manufacturer.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Glucosamine and chondroitin seem to be, in safety studies that have been done in the United States, basically as safe as taking placebo. Reported side effects include; stomach upset, gastrointestinal upset and skin rash, but these are infrequent and if they were to occur the supplement could be discontinued.

Glucosamine should not be taken by people with a history of allergy to shellfish. Levels of the blood-thinning medication, coumadin, may be affected by chondroitin sulfate. Recent reports have shown that glucosamine might elevate insulin levels in diabetics.

Answer 4

Glucosamine: is a simple sugar occuring in fruits and honey

Answer 5

I have heard a few doctors recommend this for arthritis related problems. It helps to strengthen and build up cartilage and bone. Its inexpensive, and as long as oyu are not allergic, safe to take. Check with a pharmacist at your local drug store to make sure there are no problems taking it with any med you may be taking, and let them give you some recommendations on dosing.
Hope this helps with your questions.

Answer 6

A very good alternative to traditional drug therapy. I hope this helps...

Answer 7

Well, ist suppose to be GOOD for your JOINTS/ ARTHITUS... yet, they say there isnt enough clinicall results to prove it does help!!!!! lol go fig

Answer 8

I have a friend with knee problems who swears by it...

Answer 9

It works its safe its expensive

Answer 10

it works and it's safe !!!!!