What Are the Benefits of Glucosamine?

Glucosamine supplements are meant to enhance the level of natural glucosamine produced by the body. Supplementation is said to aid in maintaining joint health and relieve joint pain and inflammation. Glucosamine is widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. While there is scientific evidence to support some of these claims, not all of the stated benefits of glucosamine have been conclusively proven.

The Role of Glucosamine

• Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is produced by the body. It plays an essential role in the formation of cartilage, which makes up the body's joints. This compound is also crucial to the maintenance of joints, aiding in the repair of the daily damage done to weight bearing joints. While glucosamine is routinely manufactured by the body for these purposes, aging can cause a gradual decrease in the ability to produce sufficient amounts of the compound, leading to deterioration of the joints. Supplements have become widely used as a means to compensate for the lower levels of glucosamine in the system that can come with aging, since the compound is not readily available from dietary sources.

Glucosamine and Joint Health

• Glucosamine supplements are often advertised for use to support joint health, said to ensure that the body has enough of this amino protein available to repair the inevitable wear and tear damage that affects the body's weight bearing joints. It is also said to have benefits in the treatment of joint injuries, speeding the healing process and alleviating pain and inflammation. Often, supplements sold for joint health maintenance will use glucosamine in combination with other substances, most often chondroitin. While many consumers swear by the benefits of glucosamine for joint health, the effectiveness of orally administered glucosamine for this purpose has yet to be scientifically proven.

Osteoarthritis Treatment

• Glucosamine has been proven to be of some benefit in the treatment of osteoarthritis. A number of studies have shown glucosamine supplements, when given in combination with chondroitin, offer more effective relief than commonly used non-steroid pain relievers in moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain. Perhaps the most notable of these studies is one done under the direction of the National Institute of Health, called the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial, or GAIT, which found glucosamine and chondroitin especially beneficial in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Supplements

• Most glucosamine supplements are derived from crabs, lobsters, or shrimp, the compound extracted from their shells. Glucosamine supplements are manufactured from vegetable sources as well, such as corn, but these are less common and may be more difficult to obtain. Supplements are available in tablet form, capsules, liquid or powder, and vary widely in price, according to manufacturer, quality of ingredients, and many other factors.

Cautions

• Glucosamine is generally well tolerated among those that use it as a dietary supplement. However, there are some side effects that have been reported, most of them minor ones, such as nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, and headache. People who have allergies to shellfish may be wise to avoid glucosamine supplements derived from these sources, seeking out vegetable based ones instead. Another notable side effect, though a very rare one, is temporary blood pressure elevation when glucosamine and chondroitin are used together. Also, the safety of using glucosamine when pregnant or nursing has not been established.