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Glucosamine, nature's joint pain healer?

By: Jamaal Harrison Glucosamine is naturally present in the body. It consists of glucose as well as the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is necessary in the formation of a molecule that aids in the development and restoration of cartilage as well as various other tissues in the body. The speed at which we produce Glucosamine decreases with age.

Glucosamine is considered an amino sugar, and it is an important precursor to other critically important body chemicals, among them the glycosylated lipids and proteins. It is what forms exoskeletons for crustaceans like shrimp, lobsters and crabs, fungi, and arthropods or insects, and is one of the most common monosaccharides found in nature. To make glucosamine commercially, these exoskeletons are broken down by the process of hydrolysis to release the compound.

Glucosamine is a popular and effective treatment for arthritis, or inflammation and deterioration of the joints. It is sold as a supplement in liquid or capsules, but is also used in some cosmetics and some sports drinks.

Glucosamine supplements also often contain another naturally occurring substance in cartilage, chondroitin sulfate. This compound helps cartilage remain soft and flexible. Another common compound give with glucosamine is Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM. Glucosamine is commonly used as part of the treatment for osteoarthritis. In this condition, often affecting the knees, cartilage loses elasticity and becomes stiff and wears down. This leads to irritation, swelling, loss of range of motion and pain.

Since the body's natural glucosamine is used to make and repair joint cartilage, having glucosamine as a nutritional supplement is considered to help repair injured cartilage by supplementing the body's contribution of glucosamine. There is hopeful proof that glucosamine may decrease pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and possibly slow the succession of osteoarthritis. Still, doctors often suggest a three month experiment of glucosamine and discontinuing it if there is no progress after these three months. A usual quantity for osteoarthritis is 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate on a daily basis.