For those people who suffer from any form of arthritis and especially osteoarthritis and are now looking for ways to treat the effects of this condition through more natural and alternative ways, one such way is by increasing the amount of Glucosamine they consume. This particular substance is a type of amino sugar which our bodies create naturally and it is believed to help the cartilage found between our joints to be repaired or even to create new cartilage altogether. In fact many people who suffer from osteoarthritis have found this particular supplement to be extremely beneficial. They have found by increasing the amount of Glucosamine in their bodies often helps to alleviate the pain and other effects that are caused by osteoarthritis. Below we provide you with some further facts relating to Glucosamine that you may find interesting.
This substance was first identified by G Ledderhose in 1876, however it was not until 1939 that it was fully defined by Walter Haworth. Although it is made in the body naturally it can be obtained from other products, it helps to produce sugars that contain ample amounts of nitrogen essential to our body.
Over the years there have been many clinical trials carried out to see the effectiveness of glucosamine as a medical treatment for osteoarthritis. But the results being provided by these trials have been conflicting at times. Because there is has been so much conflicting evidence about its effectiveness, there are debates still ongoing through the medical world as to whether doctors should actually be recommending this particular supplement to their patients suffering from osteoarthritis. What is important to note is that people who do use glucosamine do not feel any immediate relief from their symptoms but will only really start to feel the benefit of taking it after a couple of months.
On average a person who is using glucosamine in order to treat their osteoarthritis will take around 1500 mg each day normally in a salt formulation. But be wary when purchasing any kind of glucosamine that is available as either glucosamine sulfate (MonaVie includes glucosamine sulfate) or as glucosamine hydrochloride, you may also find that some of these supplements also contain chondroitin sulfate and methylfulonylmethane.
Because glucosamine is a dietary supplement in the USA it is unregulated so the quality as well as what is contained in each supplement can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. So when it comes to selecting a supplement to take it is important you choose one from a company that is well established such as MonaVie. Also before making your purchase make sure you read exactly what ingredients each supplement contains and that you understand exactly what each one is. If you have difficulty in understanding what the ingredients are speak to your pharmacist or research them a little further online.
Glucosamine is produced by extracting it from the shells of crabs, lobster or shrimps and is sold either as a dietary or nutritional supplement. The glucosamine is extracted from the chitin (found in the shell of the fish) and is a carbohydrate. People who have an allergic reaction to shellfish may find that they do not have any whatsoever when they use glucosamine as a supplement. This is because it is the protein in the flesh of the shellfish which causes them to have an allergic reaction. Although most of the glucosamine supplements we see today have been extracted from shellfish there are now alternative ways of this particular substance being produced. Some of the supplements you can purchase today have been made by extraction from corn after it has been fermented using fungi.
The problem with glucosamine is that people can not obtain it from the foods that they eat. The only real way to increase the amount of glucosamine a person ingests is through taking a supplement. But of all the supplements available the ones that contain glucosamine sulfate are the most popular as it is believed these ones are the most effective in helping to repair and produce new cartilage. The glucosamine sulfate supplement can be even more effective if a person were to take it with Vitamin C, Manganese and Chondroitin as well.
As glucosamine is in fact an amino sugar it is important that people who suffer from diabetes who are taking this supplement will need to make sure that their blood sugar levels are checked regularly.
Unfortunately as we grow older our body starts to degenerate and over time the cartilage in our body begins to wear down the joints and become less cushioned. The body does not function as effectively and so the replacement of such parts of the body as cartilage normally slows down or stops altogether. This then leads to people suffering from arthritis and the most common form that people suffer from today is known as osteoarthritis. In fact for some people this particular condition can be extremely debilitating and find it very difficult to lead a normal life. So being aware of just what benefits can be gained from taking glucosamine may help osteoarthritis sufferers gain some relief from this particular condition.
Rich in polyphenols--a powerful form of antioxidants--the
Acai Berry found in
MonaVie is able to neutralize free radicals, thereby lowering oxidative stress. You can get a
unique content version of this article.
