Glucosamine
- Posted On: 21/04/2010 11:14:00
- In: General
Glucosamine is a natural compound made by the body from a sugar (glucose) and an amino ac
id (glutamine). It is needed to produce cartilage and helps to thicken the synovial fluid that lubricates and cushions the joints. It also helps to strengthen the jelly-like centre of the intervertebral discs in the spine.
As we grow older, our bodies become less efficient at making glucosamine and if levels fall too low the cartilage in the weight-bearing joints, such as hips and knees, starts to deteriorate. This can result in pain, swelling, limited movement and, eventually, osteoarthritis.
Why Supplement?
The lack of good dietary sources of glucosamine has led to a range of nutritional supplements. Most are made from chitin, a substance found in the shells of shrimp, crab, lobster and other sea creatures. Glucosamine is often combined with condroitin sulphate, a substance found naturally in cartilage, which helps to give it elasticity. In supplement form, it is made from shark cartilage. Glucosamine supplements are mostly used to treat osteoarthritis. They are thought to help repair damaged cartilage by topping up the body's natural supply of glucosamine.
Does it work?
Some studies show that glucosamine may help to reduce pain in people woth osteoarthritis of th
e knee and possibly slow its progression. A study published in the Archives of internal medicine showed that in 202 people with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis, those wgo took 1,500mg og glucosamine a day saw a slow-down in the progression of their condition compared with those taking a placebo and reported significant reduction in pain and stiffness.
The result of another six-month study were less favourable. The so-called GAIT trial compared the effectiveness of glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulphate, a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, a drug treatment nd a placebo in people with osteoarthritius of the knee. The result showed that glucosamine or chondroitin alone, or in combination, did not receive pain overall, though people with moderate-to-severe knee pain were more likely to respond to glucosamine. However, this study had a major drwback - it used glucosamine hydrochloride rather than the more common and better-researched glucosamine sulphate.
A more recent analysis of previous studies, including the GAIT trial, apperas to show that glucosamine hydrchloride is not effective in treating osteoarthritis. As to the efficacy of glucosamine sulphate, the jury is still out as more research is needed. The advice is try glucosamine for three months and to stop if you don't see any improvement in your conditio.
How to take it?
A typical dose for osteoarthritis is 1,500mg of glucosamine sulphate a day, divided into three equal doses, preferably taken with a meal.
