What Is Glucosamine HCL?

Glucosamine supplements have been popular among those looking to promote the health of their cartilage and joints for many years. Supplements containing glucosamine are found on shelves in pharmacies, department stores and even supermarkets all over the country.

What is Glucosamine HCL?

• Glucosamine is a substance that is naturally found in cartilage tissue in the human body. Healthy cartilage contains ample amounts of glucosamine compounds, while degenerative cartilage often contains decreasing amounts of the substance.

  Glucosamine is often combines with a salt, or hydrochloride (hcl) and manufactured for human consumption by way of dietary supplements. These supplements are said to increase the integrity of bodily cartilage and joints and bring relief to those who suffer from osteoarthritis and other degenerative disorders that affect the cartilage and joints.

What Does It Do?

• Humans who consume moderate quantities of glucosamine hcl can reap great benefits when it comes to cartilage and joint disorders like arthritis. By consuming glucosamine orally, it is thought to replenish the amount of naturally-occurring glucosamine compounds in the cartilage, and therefore promote the integrity of the cartilage and surrounding joints.

  Glucosamine hydrochloride is often combined with another naturally-occurring chemical called chondroitin, which appears alongside glucosamine in healthy cartilage. It is believed that the two compounds work more efficiently together.

What is the Difference Between HCL and Sulfate?

• Glucosamine must be linked to a transport-vehicle so that it can be consumed by humans. In most cases, the vehicle of choice is hydrochloride, a salt that is easily-metabolized by the body.

  In other glucosamine compounds, a sulfur vehicle is used. This compound is commonly referred to as glucosamine sulfate.

  Studies are currently under way to show whether the hydrocloride or sulfate is a better vehicle for glucosamine to enter the body. Early studies by the Mayo Clinic indicate that glucosamine sulfate might be more efficient at treating cartilage-related diseases than glucosamine hydrochloride.

What is the Dosing for Glucosamine HCL?

• The usual dose for glucosamine hcl is 1500 mg per day. This is usually split up into three 500 mg doses.

  Some doctors recommend 20 mg of glucosamine hcl per kilogram of body weight. Check with your doctor to verify which dose will work best for you.

Risks

• Oral glucosamine supplements may cause nausea, upset stomach, lethargy, skin rash, sunlight sensitivity, headache or a thickening of the finger and toenails. These side effects usually fade with time and are not bothersome enough to cause patients to discontinue their glucosamine regimens.

  In very rare instances, heart palpitations or a slight increase in blood pressure may occur just after taking glucosamine supplements. If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, check with your doctor before beginning a glucosamine regimen.