Glucosamine Info

Basic Facts
Effects
Indications
Composition
Dosage
Side Effects/Contraindications
Instructions

BASIC FACTS

With progressing age, various factors (hormonal variations, false nutrition, free radicals and others) reduce the ability of the body to regenerate. An artificial supply with the necessary substances, however, may counteract this development.

Apart from chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine is an important element of the cartilage substance whose production is often reduced in affected joints.

This impairment of the glucosamine production seems to be the end result that such different joint affections as accident-related injuries, chronic abnormal loading and overstrain, atrophies caused by taking relieving postures for a long time, circulatory disturbances in the bones adjacent to cartilage tissue and in the joint capsule, deposits of uric acid crystals (gout), inflammations and autoimmune diseases have in common. A causal therapy exists for only few of these affections. However, the important consequence all these affections have on health, namely the limitation of the cartilage metabolism which causes the cartilage to lose its elasticity so that it is no longer able to adequately react to physical strain, can be treated.

Glucosamine consists of glucose and the amino acid glutamine and causes the cartilage mass to be soft, moist and flexible. It binds water in highly polymeric compounds (proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, which consist of glucosamine among other things, are cross-linked to form mucopolysaccharides). This is important for the nutrition of cartilage, which does not contain blood vessels and therefore has to be nourished from outside through diffusion, and for the elastic consistency of cartilage as well as the lubrication of its surface.

EFFECTS

Glucosamine stimulates the chondrocytes; these are the cartilage cells which are built into the intercellular substance of the cartilage and which form the mucopolysaccarides and the fibers of the connective tissue the cartilage matrix consists of.

This serves to avoid the appearance of attrition, and already existing damage can be reversed. Like the bone substance, cartilage tissue can be formed again when the required basic substances are available in the body.

Glucosamine, however, is no pain killer. One should therefore not expect a quick onset of the effect in case of severe joint complaints. In the long run, however, it shows its superiority over mere painkillers which neither improve the ability of the joints to regenerate nor their function but may even aggravate the situation in the worst case. Only a joint cartilage having a well-balanced metabolism in which new formation and loss are counterbalanced can, in the long-term, guarantee unlimited flexibility of the joints free from pain.

It is necessary to start the substitution therapy in time, though. As soon as joint damage has led to bony adhesions and calcifications of the ligaments and the joint capsule, even a normalization of the metabolism in the cartilage cannot bring about complete healing.

And yet clinical tests have shown amazing improvements even in cases where deforming joint damage had already progressed far, provided glucosamine was taken on a long-term basis. After a period of only a few weeks, this therapy even proved to be more effective against pain than mere painkillers.

INDICATIONS

Regarding the applicability of glucosamine, the following applications should be mentioned. First of all there is the treatment and prophylaxis of joint damage due to inflammatory, traumatic or degenerative causes where an increased cartilage regeneration is desired.

In the body, glucosamine enhances the production of the substances necessary for the respective functions of the joints. Both substances are responsible for the renewal of the cartilage mass in the joints. In this sense glucosamine supports the regeneration of the cartilage mass. The pain goes away and freedom of movement may be regained.

However, the most significant result in the patients who had been treated with glucosamine was the almost complete regeneration of the damaged cartilage mass to its previous healthy state.

The glucosamine studies carried out up to now have proven that the future treatment of osteoarthritis cannot only be the reduction of pain and inflammation. Even if the research work done to this date has not been completed we have to take in mind that quick action is called for. The present treatment with preparations which partly have severe side effects and will be detrimental to health in the long run can only be improved by the application of glucosamine and the experience derived therefrom.

COMPOSITION

One capsule contains 750mg glucosamine sulfate of pharmaceutical grade in microcrystalline cellulose.

DOSAGE

In normal cases take 1 capsule 2 times a day at mealtimes with plenty of fluid.

In case of overweight, the dose may be increased to 20 mg/kg body weight.

SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS

At the glucosamine dosage commonly used (1,500mg per day) no toxicity reactions have been reported as yet. This is also the most important reason why rheumatism specialists recommend the use of glucosamine in the sense of an «ideal substance» for the (oral) treatment of rheumatic complaints. In only a few cases gastrointestinal symptoms may occur (indigestion, heartburn, etc.). In such cases glucosamine should be taken during meals.

INSTRUCTIONS

Generally it is recommended to consult a specialist before the intake of food supplements. This is particularly applicable in cases of chronic disease or during regular intake of medication. If you experience symptoms during the intake, you should consult a doctor and inform him/her of the intake.

This product is available at pharmacies or via Pharmatrans Inc.

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