Nutritional Guide

Why you need it?

Glucosamine is derived from Shelfish. Glucosamine provides the body with the building blocks needed to repair damage to cartilage caused by osteo-arthritis or injuries. Specifically, glucosamine sulphate provides the raw material needed by the body to manufacture a mucopolysaccharide (called glycosa-minoglycan) found in cartilage.

Glucosamine is a key compound of the ground substance that makes up connective tissue. It is this ground substance – called proteoglycans – that determines the strength and resiliency of connective tissue. Glucosamine is the preferred substrate and stimulant for proteoglycan synthesis and at the same time, inhibits proteoglycan degradation.

Glucosamine exogenously given is a preferred substrate for the biosynthesis of these glycosamino-glycans.

Glucosamine sulphate is not only a substrate, but can stimulate the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and even proteoglycans (including therefore the proteic moiety).

Glucosamine protects the cartilage from the metabolic impairment provoked by some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as the chondrocytes from the lesive action of high-dose corticosteroids.

Glucosamine sulphate showed mild anti-inflammatory activitY by a mechanism of action other than the inhibition of the biosynthesis of prostaglandins.

Deficiency Symptoms:

A glucosamine sulphate deficiency in humans has not been reported.

Good Food Sources:

Glucosamine sulphate does not appear in significant amounts in most diets. Supplemental sources are derived from sea shells.

Precautions

GRAS - Generally recognised as safe. No adverse reactions, side effects or overdose symptoms expected when taken within the recommended amounts. AVOID IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO SHELLFISH.

Glucosamine is primarily available commercially in three forms: glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride, N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG)

Glucosamine sulphate is the preferred form due to its very high absorption, ease of utilization, immediacy of incorporation into connective tissue matrix and history of clinical studies. The sulphur component in this form seems to be essential to efficacy. Sulphur is an essential nutrient for joint tissue, where it functions in the stabilization of the connective tissue matrix of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

There is no need for people other than those with Osteoarthritis to routinely supplement with glucosamine sulphate.

Side effects: No adverse effects reported with supplements of up to 2.5grams/day. At higher doses, Rare instances of mild and transient gastro-intestinal effects, including stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhoea, nausea and indigestion are reported. These symptoms are often reduced by taking the glucosamine sulphate with a meal.

No toxicity noted in sources used. No allergic reactions have been reported. No drug interaction has been reported so far.

While the molecular structure of glucosamine does contain a glucose molecule, it is chemically different and follows different metabolic pathways from glucose. While there is anecdotal evidence that taking glucosamine may cause a rise in blood sugar levels, there are also data from a large study published in The Lancet investigating the effectiveness of glucosamine for osteoarthritis that reported no changes in blood sugar. To date, there has not been a clinical trial specifically designed to investigate this question.

The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only. Neither the information provided nor products supplied or offered should be construed to be in any way substitutes for medical attention or prescribed medication. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any supplements or herbal remedies if you are suffering from an undiagnosed illness or if you are on prescribed medication.

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