| samine is a common treatment for osteoarthritis and is | | | | arthritis sufferers experiencing only mild pain. |
| an amino sugar. It is a major component of the | | | | Another study published in the Archives of Internal |
| skeletons of many crustaceans and other arthropods. | | | | Medicine found that 1500mg of glucosamine taken daily |
| Glucosamine helps arthritis sufferers by reducing | | | | significantly slowed the progression of osteoarthritis |
| inflammation in the joint areas which causes stiffness, | | | | over a three year period. Patients who received the |
| swelling, and pain. Glucosamine may also help rebuild | | | | glucosamine also had reduced pain and stiffness |
| damaged cartilage since glucosamine is a precursor to | | | | compared to the placebo. |
| glycosaminoglycans which form a major part of the | | | | Glucosamine is currently recommended as a |
| cartilage in human joints. Glucosamine is often used in | | | | secondary arthritis treatment by several organizations |
| combination with other popular arthritis supplements | | | | such as OsteoArthritis Research Society International |
| such as chondroitin and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). | | | | (OARSI) and the European League Against |
| Many studies have been conducted on the safety of | | | | Rheumatism (EULAR). |
| glucosamine with most concluding that glucosamine is | | | | Typical glucosamine dosages vary from 500mg to |
| safe even at very high levels of consumption. Those | | | | 2000mg per day and it is usually consumed in tablet |
| with a seafood allergy should be careful before taking | | | | form, typically in 500mg dosages. |
| a glucosamine supplement since commercial | | | | Glucosamine is currently not approved by the Food |
| glucosamine is derived from the shells of crustaceans | | | | and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical use by |
| and arthropods such as shrimp, lobster, and crabs. | | | | humans in the United States but is instead classified as |
| Furthermore those with diabetes should monitor blood | | | | a dietary supplement which means it cannot be |
| glucose levels carefully as there is evidence that | | | | advertised as a treatment for a medical condition (in |
| glucosamine may adversely affect blood sugar levels | | | | this case arthritis). |
| among some diabetics. | | | | Glucosamine supplements are widely available in |
| Studies on the benefits of glucosamine have been | | | | nutritional shops, pharmacies, drug stores, and |
| mixed. While some studies have found that | | | | supermarkets. Typical prices are around US$15 to |
| glucosamine relieves the symptoms of arthritis such as | | | | US$20 for 90 500mg tablets. |
| joint pain and swelling, others have found that | | | | If you have osteoarthritis symptoms you may well |
| glucosamine offers no benefit over a placebo. Some | | | | benefit from glucosamine in combination with your |
| studies have suggested glucosamine only benefits | | | | regular osteoarthritis medication and given its excellent |
| arthritis sufferers when used in combination with | | | | safety record it is unlikely you would suffer any |
| chondroitin. | | | | adverse reaction. Many health care providers will |
| The largest such study is known as the Glucosamine | | | | recommend a course of glucosamine supplementation |
| Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) and | | | | for a three month period with the patient discontinuing |
| involved over 1,500 participants. The study found that a | | | | use if they experience no reduction in arthritis |
| combination of glucosamine and chondroitin did offer | | | | symptoms. It is recommended that an individual |
| some pain relief amongst those experiencing | | | | consults his doctor before beginning a glucosamine |
| moderate to severe pain but neither chondroitin nor | | | | regimen. |
| glucosamine or the combination of the two benefited | | | | |