Glucosamine Chondroitin: Does it Work?

Glucosamine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. It is created from a combination of glucose and glutamine. When these substances are together they help produce another substance which the body uses to form and repair cartilage and tissue. Like may other substances in the body, the production of glucosamine slows down as we get older.

Conversely, that is when we seem to need it most as we begin to experience the breakdown of elasticity in our joints, and experience increasing aches and pains.

Glucosamine can be purchased at almost any health food store. It is also available online. It is not a particularly expensive supplement, and can often be found in different sports and nutritional drinks and shakes.

Glucosamine is made from a material, chitin, found in the shells of crustaceans; crab, lobster, shrimp, etc. It is inexpensively created in labratories and made into a form that the human body can utilize easily. It is most often found combined with another substance, chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin is a material that is naturally present in healthy cartilage. This substance acts to give the joint elasticity and protects against free radicals, enzymes, and other substances which can be found in the body.

Glucosamine is used for several different things. According to the Mayo Clinic it is most beneficial with osteo-arthritis that affects the knee joint, and most beneficial in the sulfated versions. Non-sulfated forms of glucosamine do not seem to be effective in treating joint pain.

Glucosamine cuts down on the pain as well as increasing flexibility to the joint. It has been very effective in controlled testing. The Mayo clinic grades it's effectiveness in primarily knee problems at an "A".

The list of what Glucosamine is used for is ever growing:

• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative arthritis
• Joint injury/recovery
• (Joint) Pain relief
• Flexibility
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Joint maintenance
• fibromyalgia syndrome

In addition to those things Glucosamine Chondroitin is also used with good results in horses, dogs, and cats to treat:

• Equine arthritis
• Equine joint degeneration
• Canine hip dysplasia
• Arthritis in animals
• Symptoms of joint stiffness caused by aging in animals.

Glucosamine is generally without major side effects in most of the population. Because it has been made from shellfish you should avoid it if you have a shellfish allergy. Other side effects are:

• Drowsiness

• Headache

• Insomnia

• Abdominal pain

• Poor appetite

• Nausea

• Heartburn

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting
• May increase the risk of developing insulin resistance.

Rarely the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin has been linked to elevated blood pressure and heart rate. It may cause palpitations in these cases.

People that are taking anticoagulant medications (warfarin, clopidogrel, ticlid) or who have bleeding disorders should not take glucosamine without discussing the matter with their medical provider.

Also, if you are taking natural supplements that cut the clotting capabilities of the blood then talk to your doctor before supplementing with glucosamine. These home remedies would include:

• Garlic
• Ginkgo
• Vitamin E

• Red clover
• Aspirin therapies

Most pet supplements will have the exact dosage on the bottle. As a rule of thumb:

• 10 pound pet: 156 mg

• 30 pound pet: 312 mg

• 75 pound pet: 625 mg

• 125 pound pet: 1250 mg

For horses the dosage of Glucosamine should be regulated by your vet. As a rule of thumb it is 10 grams per day per 500 kg of horse (1,100lb)

Brand matters with glucosamine. Get a good brand from a company that is well known. Generic Glucosamine is unpredictable.

A good, effective dosage for Glucosamine Chondoitnin is 3,000 mgs per day the first week and then 1,200 mgs thereafter. Remember that Glucosamine Chondroitin, like all herbal/natural supplements takes time to rich full effectiveness and it is not an overnight fix. It may take up to six weeks to have significant changes occur.

When used properly and patiently, Glucosamine can be an effective remedy for many types of joint pains and diseases. As with any supplement or medication consult your health-care provider before starting.