Glucosamine Supplements

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Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring sugar compound found in the human body. The name Glucosamine is derived from the two major components, Glucose and Glutamine (an amino acid). Naturally occurring Glucosamine plays a role in the development and maintenance of cartilage which acts as a cushion and lubricant in the joints. As we age, the natural production of Glucosamine begins to slow down. Starting as early as the late 1800s, Glucosamine was produced artificially in a lab environment and has since been refined for use as a dietary supplement. The theory behind Glucosamine supplementation is that consumption may help the body to replace what is lost due to age related decline in natural production. Glucosamine has become one of the top selling natural supplements worldwide and is typically recommended to those who are suffering from Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, or other conditions involving joint deterioration.

Is Glucosamine Safe?

Generally, Glucosamine is thought to be safe when taken in moderate amounts. This has been determined through many different clinical studies that concluded it was generally safe. One drawback to artificial Glucosamine joint supplements is that many are created from shellfish. This can prevent people with certain allergies from being able to use them. There can be other concerns as well and it is always a good idea to discuss any specific concerns with your physician.

Are Glucosamine Supplements Effective?

Several prominent recent studies have called into question the effectiveness of Glucosamine supplements. In a study published February, 2006 in the New England Journal of Medicine; A Glucosamine supplement performed no better than a placebo in slowing cartilage loss in a statistically significant group of Osteoarthritis patients over the course of 2 years. In a more recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (2008), researchers concluded that Glucosamine provided no benefit for hip Arthritis. Some medical professionals have suggested that the synthetic Glucosamine molecule is too large to effectively be absorbed into the body. Despite this mounting evidence suggesting that Glucosamine does not provide much in the way of health benefits, it remains one of the top selling dietary supplements on the market thanks to the strong marketing efforts of supplement manufacturers.

Are There Alternatives to Glucosamine?

There has been growing sentiment in the medical community that products high in antioxidants and those containing ingredients with known anti-inflammatory properties may be significantly more beneficial for those suffering from joint related ailments. Ingredients such as Cherry, Blueberry, Pomegranate, Green Tea Extract, and Avocado all have properties that can offer benefits for joint health problems. One product that has been gaining in popularity recently is Natural Joint, produced by Greek Island Labs. This joint supplement uses the foundation of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle to promote healthy joint function without using Glucosamine. It is rich in ingredients that are high in antioxidants and is fast becoming a popular alternative to Glucosamine. The important point to remember is that Glucosamine is not your only option for dealing with joint problems. There are alternatives to Glucosamine capsules and chances are good that you may even see better results with something that contains ingredients that offer far greater potential for real benefits.

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Comments

Sep 30, 2009 12:28pm

Glucosamine
Glucosamine and chondroitin are a combination that seem to show results better than each alone. Putting bone activating proteins into the mix seems to make the supplement that much better and highly effective.