Is Glucosamine Beneficial for Arthritis?

Glucosamine sulfate is a chemical that is found in the fluid around your joints. Glucosamine derived from seashells or produced in a laboratory is used for a variety of conditions, including arthritis.

Function

• In the fluid around your joints, glucosamine sulfate helps strengthen the cartilage that cushions your joints, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Effects

• Because glucosamine promotes the building of cartilage, many herbal practitioners believe the supplement can relieve the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis, explains the Mayo Clinic.

Expert Insight

• A 2009 study at the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom found that patients who were treated with glucosamine sulfate supplements for twelve months suffered less pain from osteoarthritis and actually regrew some cartilage that was destroyed by the disease.

Considerations

• A 2009 article by JE Silbert of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford, Massachusetts reveals that the findings of glucosamine studies are usually derived from taking doses that are 10 to 1,000 times greater than what is found in the human body from taking store-bought glucosamine tablets. This means that the beneficial effects observed in studies may be greatly reduced or not possible at all with the glucosamine sulfate supplements that are available for you to purchase.

Risks

• The most common side effects of glucosamine sulfate include nausea, heartburn, diarrhea and constipation. There is also a risk of increased blood sugar levels in patients who have or at risk for diabetes, warns RxList. People who are allergic to shellfish should not take glucosamine.