Better Joint Care With Glucosamine SupplementsGlucosamine is a popular joint care supplement that is generally made from crab, lobster, and shrimp shells. Some glucosamine supplements are made from vegetarian sources, however. This is important for those allergic to shellfish, on a vegetarian diet, or a Kosher diet. One plant based glucosamine supplement is made from the fungus Aspergillus niger. It is glucosamine hydrochloride, as opposed to glucosamine sulphate, which is animal based. Most of the studies have been done on glucosamine sulphate, although the GAIT study was done on glucosamine hydrochloride. (This was still made from animal sources, however). Glucosamine is effective in relieving joint pain and inflammation, and has even been used to help people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis in pain management. In this instance, it is most effective when combined with either msm or chrondoitin. Chrondoitin is made from shark's cartilage, or another animals's cartilage. MSM is a bitter tasting, natural substance. All three supplements have a very good safety record with few, if any, side effects. Glucosamine is actually found naturally in the body, in joint cartilage. It plays a part in helping maintain the health of the cartilage. Glucosamine Supplement Studies
The study was a placebo controlled study where different groups of osteoarthritis sufferers took either a placebo, glucosamine on its own (1500mg per day), chrondoitin on its own (1200mg per day), the two combined, or the prescription drug, celecoxib (200mg per day). 348 people in the study had moderate to severe osteoarthritis, and they reported a decrease in pain of 25%. Those with less severe osteoarthritis did not seem to benefit as much in terms of pain reduction. The glucosamine supplements in the trial were of pharmaceutical standard, meaning they were of very high quality and purity. According to this study, taking the glucosamine supplements and chrondoitin supplements separately wasn't effective, however, in terms of reducing osteoarthritic pain. Glucosamine supplements still have benefit for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis, however. A European study found that osteoarthritis sufferers taking 1500mg per day of glucosamine per day effectively slowed the progression of their osteoarthritis compared to the group taking the placebo. The study was conducted over 3 years, and measured whether there had been a change in the joint spaces of participants. A narrowing of joint space is an indicator of the progression of osteoarthritis. On average, those taking glucosamine did not have a change here, whereas those taking the placebo had an average narrowing of 0.19mm. The average width of the joints of the whole group was 4mm to start with. Other benefits found by those taking glucosamine supplements in this study were less pain, less stiffness, and generally better functioning joints. Another trial compared glucosamine supplements with the over the counter painkiller acetaminophen. It found that glucosamine supplements were more effective than acetaminophen in reducing joint pain. 1500 mg of glucosamine supplement compared to 3000 mg acetaminophen were taken daily for 24 weeks. Taking glucosamine supplements in combination with MSM also increased the effectiveness of both msm and glucosamine alone in relation to joint care. Together, they had a stronger anti inflammatory effect, as well as reducing swelling and pain in joints in patients with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine supplements are also effective in helping with knee pain in patients with damage to the cartilage. The people in this study took 2000mg of glucosamine per day, over 12 weeks. The mobility of the group taking glucosamine also improved more quickly than in those taking the placebo.
For more information on glucosamine and chrondoitin supplements, click here.
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One study found that glucosamine supplements, when combined with chrondoitin, are helpful in reducing pain for people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis.
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