Understanding Glucosamine

Posted on July 19, 2010 by thethrash

This article will explain what a glucosamine supplement is, what it does and who can gain ground from it. You will also learn what a normal dosage is and what other conditions will benefit from using glucosamine supplements .

Glucosamine is a natural substance made from glutamine (amino acids) and glucose (sugars) . The human body will use glucosamine to assist repair cartilage and body tissues . Your body will be able to produce more glucosamine naturally when you are younger. As we age the natural process for producing glucosamine slows, which could lead to possible muscle or joint problems like arthritis.

Thefact that our bodies will lose glucosamine as we get older, has lead to the manufacturing of glucosamine as a supplement in pill and liquid vitamin forms. Glucosamine supplements often contain a substance found naturally in our cartilage called chondroitin. Chondroitin is found naturally in the milk of cow’s and contributes sulfur to the supplement.

When someone suffers from osteoarthritis, particularly of the knees they are often prescribed glucosamine supplements . Glucosamine is prescribed to help fill again the natural glucosamine that you’re body no longer makes. .  Glucosamine is believed to help mend damaged cartilage that induces the osteoarthritis.

Studies have shown that glucosamine can help ease the discomfort in you’re knees. Glucosamine will also help reduce the advancement of osteoarthritis. A recent study used glucosamine combined with hydrochloride found the results to be less then effective. The same research also established that glucosamine mixed with chondroitin, did little to ease pain in the knees. The individuals, who took part in the study, had better pain reduction using pure glucosamine. That’s not to say that chondrotin will not help you in other ways.

One thousand five hundred mg per day is the recommended dosage for glucosamine to help treat osteoarthritis. It makes common sense to try glucosamine for a three month flow, if you don’t notice any improvement, stop using it. Obviously if there is improvement then continue to use the supplement.

Short term use of glucosamine is more often than nottolerated by the body quite well . There are long term mild side effects that can develop in certain individuals. Some people have been known to have an increase in blood sugar levels if they are diabetics Type I or Type 2, if you have diabetes you want to be closely monitored. An increase in blood pressure in certain individuals may also be found. .

If you suffer from bleeding disorders or are taking blood thinner medications you may increase the risk of bleeding.  Although glucosamine may benefit the health for women, women who are pregnant or nursing should consult with their Doctor before taking any supplements including glucosamine .

Glucosamine can also be used for conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even some skin conditions.

I believe that glucosamine has been beneficial to my own knee problems. One thing I never do is take more then the daily recommended dosage. Please read the label cautiously.

The fact that you can purchase glucosamine supplements online doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t first consult with you’re physician. Always and I repeat always consult with you’re physician before taking any supplement to ensure that you are not harming yourself. Especially if you are currently taking any medications, pregnant, nursing or you have any current health problems.

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