Is it safe for me to take glucosamine at the age of 15?

Question

I am on the wrestling team and sometimes I get joint pain but some people tell me that glucosamine is only for old people with joint problems.

What's the difference between glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate?

Another question: How do you increase bone density? I think I have really weak bones so I was thinking about supplementing with calcium but I don't know if there are any effects if you get an overdose.

My knees sometimes hurt when I bend them and my right elbow joint (the part aligned with my pinky) almost always hurts and sometimes makes weird cracking noises when I do pushups or do tricep extensions.

Answer 1

Glucosamine is usually taken in combination with chondroitin for retaining/restoring flexibility in the joints, as is MSM. They're usually taken by older people to alleviate the effects of arthritis, but there is nothing in the literature that says younger people shouldn't take the supplements as well - only that you should not take them if you have elevated blood pressure. Both glucosamine hydrochlride and glucosamine sulfate are forms of the same supplement, each having a different rate of absorption/efficiency. You could get more detailed information from any health foods store, some of which offer the information on line.

When eating with joint health in mind, you should avoid the nightshade plants...tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers. Another nightshade plant that a lot of people don’t think about is tobacco. Nightshade plants will make your joints worse.

You need calcium, Vitamin B-12,Vitamin D (about 400 mg per day) and small amounts of zinc and magnesium to improve bone density. You should consider a supplement such as Schiff 1200 which consists of 600 mg liquid calcium in a softgel capsule. Two gelcaps per day would provide the level of supplementation you'd want.

You are wise to consider the amount of supplements you ingest. Minerals such as calcium are not water soluble and can build up in your body if you take too much. With the exception of Vitamins A, D, E and K, most vitamins are water soluble and your body will expell any excess intake rather than retaining it.

Weight-bearing exercise will increase bone density, so if you don't want to go on a weight-lifting program, get a set of wrist and ankle weights and wear them as you go about your day. Cardio exercise alone is not sufficient to build bones. Commence a brisk walking program while wearing the wrist/ankle weights and that will begin to build bones. Walk at least 30-45 minutes per day, preferably twice a day. But, if you don't have time for a formal program, just wearing the weights as you go about your normal routine will begin the process for you.

You can find a number of articles on calcium supplementation at this website:

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SHPReferenceSearchResultsView?SourceCode=INT999&tab=3&catalogId=10051&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntt=bone&N=0&langId=-1&storeId=10001&Ntk=Text&viewAll=true&numberOfRows=81

Answer 2

Ask your doctor about the bone density problem, You can use glucosamine at your age, 1000 mg 1 once a day, but it actually takes 5 months or more to start being a noticeable improvement. The difference is the sulfate is cheaper in price. I belong to the arthritis foundation and glucosamine by it self is all you need. The condriotin and msm, are not very effective, so glucosamine is best used by itself. I use it myself for severe degenerative arthritis in my spine and knees, and after 2 years of taking it everyday i have much less pain and much more mobility, which my rheumatologist is very impressed with.

Answer 3

Yes, it is safe. No side effects, it is just like taking a supplement or a vitamin. It is a natural substance and it should aid in the healing of your sprain. My father-in-law has to have it for his arthritis. Without it, he has so much pain and stiffness. So yes, I would recommend it. It's at least worth a try, because even if it doesn't help, at least it won't do any harm!

Answer 4

At age 15 you should not be having joint pain. Either something is wrong in your form, your extremities are being put in compromising positions or your already have sustained a muscle-skeleton injury. Thus I would recommend about seeing your pediatrician or a ortho doctor.

Answer 5

How about going to a doctor??

Answer 6

Better go ask your mommy knothead.

Answer 7

yes that stuff is for old people

Answer 8

no