Glucosamine is extensively used to enhance joint function, and it has emerged as one of the most effective dietary supplements for the treatment of arthritis. Particularly, it is used to safeguard cartilage from the inevitable deterioration that happens with time. Although humans naturally make glucosamine, glucosamine supplements have increased in popularity as dietary aids to restore the body’s natural supply. Glucosamine supplements come in two forms, glucosamine sulphate and glucosamine hydrochloride, with the former being more widely accessible. By far the most popular and well studied kind of glucosamine is the sulphate form. Vegetarians, however, have glucosamine hydrochloride, which has shown some promising early outcomes.
Function of glucosamine
Most of the glucosamine supplements sold today are sourced from crustacean shells. The amino sugar glucose contributes to the biosynthesis of glucosamine for healthy bones. As such, it is an essential component of this operation. Synovial fluid, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments are all built from these basic materials. Cartilage glucosamine stores are not replenished as efficiently as they once were because our bodies produce less joint-supporting chemicals as we age. For this reason, cartilage deteriorates with age. Glucosamine is a dietary supplement solely; it is not found in any food. It takes a large number of different raw components to make glucosamine supplements. Chitin, the source of glucosamine sulphate, is sometimes found in the shells of crustaceans including shrimp, lobster, and crabs. Glucosamine hydrochloride, on the other hand, is derived from plants like maize.
Benefits of glucosamine
Debilitating and detrimental to joint health, osteoarthritis is a devastating condition. The damage it causes to joints and the subsequent loss of mobility reduces quality of life and increases suffering. Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 9 million people in the United Kingdom. Those who require a citation: Most people with osteoarthritis find that using anti-inflammatory pain medications helps the most. Glucosamine supplementation has been the focus of a large body of clinical research looking at its efficacy in treating osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and spine. They provide the notion that glucosamine may be able to prevent cartilage breakdown in the joints, hence decreasing the development of osteoarthritis and the need for knee replacement surgery. Yet another helpful study found that taking glucosamine sulphate capsules twice daily for six months alleviated knee pain caused by osteoarthritis just as well as using over-the-counter pain medication. However, not everyone had pain relief with glucosamine, raising questions that need to be resolved by future research.
Where does glucosamine fit in?
Although the exact method by which glucosamine for healthy bones helps promote joint health remains unclear, it is thought that taking glucosamine supplements may be helpful in certain cases because they “fill up” the body’s natural supply of the compound. Some research suggests that glucosamine may also inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines, which would slow the degradation of collagen.
