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What is glucosamine good for?

Kelemen József
Kelemen József
23/04/2024 14:57

Glucosamine is like your grandfather’s brandy: he swears it cured him of all his ills and of courseno one can do it as well as he can.  Brandy and glucosamine have more in common than you might think:

  • Glucosamine and brandy are both traditional and widely used.
  • People often think of both as panaceas.
  • Glucosamine can also be produced on a plant basis by fermentation.
  • And since its invention, glucosamine has become the number one joint protector in Europe. Doctors usually recommend glucosamine sulphate as a first-line treatment as part of conservative therapies. So, according to many, a better joint protector has not been invented since!

Although the effects of brandy and alcohol are outside the scope of this article, nevertheless, remember the Paracelsus’ adage: „the dose makes the poison”! But we will now clarify whether glucosamine really lives up to its reputation?

 

What is glucosamine sulphate?

Glucosamine is both a sugar and not a sugar, an amino acid and not an amino acid. It’s actually an amino sugar: a simple carbohydrate containing nitrogen. It is used by our bodies to make proteins and fatty acids1. Therefore it’s effects may go beyond joint protection; it may also be beneficial for skin health2,3.

Glucosamine is commercially available in several forms, such as glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetylglucosamine. Of these glucosamine sulphate is the more effective version for joint health5. And for skin health, N-acetylglucosamine6. Glucosamine sulphate, in combination of chondroitin sulphate,  can reinforce each other’s effects, as both are basically similar in the way they support joint and skin health.

 

What contains glucosamine?

Apart from food supplements, there is no food contains adequate amounts of glucosamine. The only natural sources of glucosamine are shellfish, carb and lobster shell chitin. As a carnivore (i.e. non-vegan: carnivorous) process, glucosamine is extracted from the chitin of these animals.

There is no plant source of glucosamine, but the endlessly creative researchers have found a way to meet vegan requirements. They use as a plant-based process to make glucosamine by fermenting corn starch. See?! More and more similarities with brandy!

 

Glucosamine effects, benefits: hope or hype?

The literature on the effects of glucosamine is not uniform. Most of it has been studied in the treatment of oestoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. There are more than 20 scientific studies showing the anti-inflammatory effects of glucosamine and chondroitin7-29. Most of these trials have been in the laboratory, less research has been done with humans, but some clinical studies have been done with some participants28-31.  All of these reported  anti-inflammatory effects (the areas studie: inflammatory problems affecting bones, intestines and joints).

Cancer processes associated with low levels of inflammation throughout the body56. Studies demonstrating the cancer-preventive effects of glucosamine have been published to further prove its anti-inflammatory effects31-39.

Glucosamine can effect inflammation in several ways:

  1. It can downregulate the function of one of the main inflammatory pathways (called the NF-kB pathway). Overactivity of the NF-Kb pathway has also been associated with certain types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis39-41.
  2. It may lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels42. CRPs may be elevated in people with osteoporosis. Metabolic diseases and obesity can also increase CRP levels43,44. Furthermore, elevated CRP levels have been associated with arthritis45,46.
  3. Glucosamine may also be able to reduce levels of other inflammatory hormones or enzymes such as E2 prostaglandin or cyclooxygenase47,48.

Reducing inflammation is the main explanation behind the effect of glucosamine. Furthermore, as glucosamine is a precursor of proteoglycans (joint and bone building compounds), it can be used by our body to ’rebuild’ joints and bones49,50.

Another advantage of glucosamine is that it is treated as a medicine in Europe and is therefore recommended by doctors, but it is not accepted as a medicine in America: it is classified as a dietary supplement. This means that there are doubts about its efficacy. These doubts are due to a lack of clinical research, with a plethora of laboratory results1.

 

Glucosamine effects on the skin

As the skin also expresses proteoglycans, N-acetylglucosamine topically (applied to the skin) can have anti-wrinkle, epithelial cell renewal and moisturizing effects2,3,6. In fact, it can be an effective alternative to alpha hydroxi acids (AHAs, or fruit acids)6. Fruit acids are used as water-based acids to exfoliate the skin and are derived from cane or other sugary fruits. Fruit acids can increase the damaging effects of UV-B radiation. In contrast, N-acetylglucosamine, which is also an exfoliant, is not thought to have such adverse effects6.

 

 

Possible side effects of glucosamine

Glucosamine has no known serious side effects. Only minor inconveniences  documented, such as51:

  • Upper abdomen, chest pain
  • Heartburn
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Malaise

No interaction with other medicines has been demonstrated. A thesis had previously been floated that glucosamine may interfere with the action of blood glucose regulating drugs, but this has since been dismissed55. There has also been a report that glucosamine sulphate may affect the effectiveness of blood thinners, but this would require further review.

Contra-indications: asthmatics, people allergic to shellfish and people taking diatbetes medication or blood thinners require special medical attention before and during glucosamine use 51-54.

 

Verdict

Studies have found glucosamine to be basically effective in the treatment of joint and bone disorders. However, the extent of effectiveness is questionable. Therefore, we at Vitamin360 would suggest a complex joint protection formula that does not rely on the action of glucosamine alone, but also includes:

  • Chondroitin sulphate to reinforce each other’s action
  • Hyaluronic acid to further hydrate cartilage (and skin).
  • UC-II collagen to further reduce arthritis.
  • Plant extracts that aid absorption and detoxification (also anti-inflammatory).

Pro tip: we would recommend the extra high active az extra Animal Flex: a joint protection powder containing collagens, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and plant extracts, together with UC-II collagen capsules.  The latter also contains hyaluronic acid in low doses. The combination of the two is one of the most potent joint protectors and anti-inflammatories on the market, effectively helping to combat musculoskeletal injuries.

Looking for a soothing cream? Now Foods Liposome Cream contains added glucosamine sulphate, along with MSM and arnica.  And the liposome technology allows the active ingredients to reach damaged cells more effectively.

 

GLUCOSAMINE AND CHONDROITIN

 

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