Glucosamine, nature's joint pain healer?
Jamaal Harrison
Glucosamine is naturally present in the body. It consists of glucose as well as the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is necessary in the formation of a molecule that aids in the development and restoration of cartilage as well as various other tissues in the body. The speed at which we produce Glucosamine decreases with age.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar and a famous precursor in the biochemical mixture of glycosylated proteins and lipids. Glucosamine is found as a major component of the exoskeletons of crustaceans and other arthropods, in fungi and numerous higher organisms and is one of the most plentiful monosaccharides. It is formed commercially by the hydrolysis of crustacean exoskeletons.
It is often used to treat osteoarthritis, even though expert opinions as to its effectiveness in medical therapy vary. It can be purchased as a nutritional supplement in fitness food stores as well as in various drug stores. Supplements are created in a lab from chitin, which is a substance that comes from the shells of shrimp, lobster, crab, and other sea creatures. In addition to this, glucosamine is added to sports drinks and can also be found in certain cosmetics.
Glucosamine is often combined with Chondroitin Sulfate, a molecule naturally present in cartilage. Chondroitin grants cartilage elasticity and is believed to halt the erosion of cartilage by enzymes. Glucosamine is sometimes mixed with Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in dietary supplements. Glucosamine supplements are commonly used for osteoarthritis - specifically, osteoarthritis affecting the knees. This condition causes cartilage to become stiff and unbendable, which can lead to joint damage and swelling.
Since the body's natural glucosamine is used to make and repair joint cartilage, having glucosamine as a nutritional supplement is considered to help repair injured cartilage by supplementing the body's contribution of glucosamine. There is hopeful proof that glucosamine may decrease pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and possibly slow the succession of osteoarthritis. Still, doctors often suggest a three month experiment of glucosamine and discontinuing it if there is no progress after these three months. A usual quantity for osteoarthritis is 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate on a daily basis.
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