Glucosamine – A powerful assistant for people with bone and joint diseases

Glucosamine is a natural compound classified as an Amino sugar, considered “bricks” of the body that build cells and tissue structures, playing an important role in many functions in the body, especially in the task of protecting joint cartilage. 

Overview of Glucosamine

Glucosamine plays an important role in maintaining the flexibility and elasticity of joints as well as in protecting and regenerating cartilage tissue damaged by aging, arthritis or injury. In addition, Glucosamine also has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing pain and swelling in joints with diseases. Besides its effects on bones and joints, this compound also has the ability to support the treatment of a number of other diseases of the body such as: interstitial cystitis, enteritis, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, …

Glucosamine has a structure consisting of an Amino group replacing a hydroxyl group at the C-2 position of a Glucose molecule. Glucosamine exists mainly in two forms: Glucosamine hydrochloride and Glucosamine sulfate. Both forms are widely used in health supplements, especially those that support bone and joint health. Glucosamine sulfate is often preferred due to its good solubility in water and is easily absorbed by the body. However, some studies in China also provide some evidence indicating that Glucosamine Hydrochloride may be equally effective when combined with Chondroitin Sulfate.

Glucosamine plays an important role in maintaining the flexibility and elasticity of joints as well as protecting and regenerating damaged cartilage tissue.  

Besides, N-acetyl Glucosamine is a natural monosaccharide that is also a form of Glucosamine. In the human body, this substance plays an important role in building and maintaining connective tissues such as skin and cartilage and is being researched for its ability to help treat conditions such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Despite its potential, using N-acetyl Glucosamine as part of medical therapy still requires more research to determine its effectiveness and safety.

As the article mentioned above, Glucosamine is a natural ingredient found in the cartilage of the human and animal bodies. Besides, this compound can also be synthesized from other natural sources such as crustacean shells (shrimps, crabs, etc.) or can be artificially produced in the laboratory through fermentation from sugar sources such as glucose.

Glucosamine is extracted from chitin in the shells of crabs, oysters and shrimp in tablet or capsule form 

Application of Glucosamine for bone and joint problems in humans

In the treatment of bone and joint related problems, Glucosamine is often used as part of complementary therapy. Many studies have shown that Glucosamine supplements can help reduce pain and improve joint function in people with arthritis. However, the effectiveness of Glucosamine is not only that but can also achieve many different effects depending on the individual and the disease condition, this is clarified as below.

In its role in reducing inflammation, Glucosamine is often supplemented to treat the symptoms of many different inflammatory conditions. Many in vitro studies have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects when Glucosamine is administered to cells involved in bone formation. The majority of research on Glucosamine involves supplementation in combination with Chondroitin – a compound similar to Glucosamine, which has also been linked to improving the function and maintenance of healthy bone cartilage. The combination of this duo of essences has been shown to inhibit the inflammatory process of the synovial membrane in the joints.

This is specifically demonstrated by a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine that monitors people with arthritis for 3 years. Researchers monitored pain and improvements in bone structure with X-rays. They gave 202 people with mild to moderate symptoms of osteoarthritis either 1,500 mg of Glucosamine sulfate per day. After the survey, researchers realized the effect of Glucosamine slowed the progression of chronic knee arthritis compared to the placebo group. People who took Glucosamine significantly improved symptoms of pain and difficulty moving. What is more surprising is that when taking X-rays, there was no significant change in the narrowing of the space between joints – a sign of joint destruction in the group taking Glucosamine. In contrast, the gap between joints in the placebo group narrowed over the three years of the study. The effects of Glucosamine chondroitin msm are tested and clearly demonstrated through experiments

The role of Glucosamine in the treatment of bone and joint pain in humans

Besides reducing inflammation, Glucosamine also plays a role in supporting healthy joints. As we know, Glucosamine exists naturally in the body and helps form a number of chemical compounds related to the creation of joint cartilage and synovial fluid, thereby supporting the production of joint cartilage and improving health of joints.

A small study in cyclists found that supplementing with 3000mg of Glucosamine daily reduced collagen loss in the knees by 27% compared to 8% in the placebo group. Another study showed a significantly reduced rate of Collagen breakdown relative to markers of Collagen synthesis in the joints of soccer players treated with 3000 mg of Glucosamine per day over a three-month period.

Clinical studies on the treatment mechanism of Glucosamine also help inhibit joint destruction, protect joints from damage or degeneration of articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is the outer covering of the ends of bones. It acts as a cushion to reduce damage caused by friction to the bones. In older people, specifically from 30 and over, joint cartilage begins to degenerate. Supplementing Glucosamine properly makes this degeneration process slower by protecting healthy cartilage tissue and preventing cartilage-destroying enzymes from reaching them. It helps reduce symptoms of bone and joint pain in patients.

According to a study by scientists at Monash University in Prahran – Australia, the rate of bone and joint pain reduction upon using Glucosamine for 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks is 36%, 68% and 88%, respectively.

Glucosamine also able to reduce bone and joint pain, contributing to slowing down the process of osteoporosis and degeneration.

Dosage and forms of Glucosamine supplements

According to medical experts, our bodies can synthesize Glucosamine on their own. However, with age, this synthesis ability will gradually decrease, leading to Glucosamine deficiency and gradual breakdown of joint cartilage, causing arthritis, degeneration and joint pain. Therefore, maintaining Glucosamine properly in the body helps stabilize joint cartilage and joint fluid, thereby supporting healthier joints.

Young people who are healthy can proactively provide glutamine so that the body can synthesize Glucosamine itself. Glutamine-rich foods that the body needs to intake include beef, chicken, lamb, fish, milk, peanuts, almonds, eggs, cabbage, soybeans, spinach, and green leafy vegetables. … As we get older, the body’s ability to synthesize Glucosamine itself decreases, so it is difficult for older people to ensure sufficient amount of Glucosamine if they only rely on their daily diet and need to supplement this compound to ensure Bone and joint health – one of the common diseases at this age.

In young people, it is necessary to provide glutamine for the body to synthesize Glucosamine.

However, Glucosamine supplementation is often recommended in terms of dosage based on individual needs and specific health conditions. Glucosamine can be found in a variety of supplement forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquids. The usual dosage for adults is 500 mg to 1500 mg per day, divided into two or three doses. For certain cases, your doctor may recommend a higher or lower dosage. In particular, patients must always follow the instructions of their doctor or medical professional when using Glucosamine to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Maintenance of using Glucosamine for a certain period of time is necessary to get the result

In addition to supplementing Glucosamine found in foods, patients can also use functional foods to supplement their daily diet. Nutricare Bone nutritional product is a comprehensive nutritional solution to support strong bones and joints and enhance muscle mass, researched and produced by scientists from the Nutricare Medical Nutrition Institute – USA (NMNI-USA) and Nutricare company.

Nutricare Bone product supplemented with Glucosamine from the US has the role of supporting the proliferation of joint fluid and cartilage cells to help lubricate joint cartilage, increasing the toughness and flexibility of joints. At the same time, the product provides calcium with an exceptionally high content of 1,800mg; Vitamin D3 increases Calcium absorption in the intestines and Vitamin K2 helps transport and increase the density of Calcium attached to the skeleton, maximizing the body’s efficiency in using Calcium, supporting strong bones. Nutricare Bone provides 50 essential nutrients including plant protein and Whey protein from the US to help strengthen muscle mass for adults.

According to recommendations of NMNI-USA and Nutricare experts, supplementing 2 – 3 cups of Nutricare Bone per day may support the body with essential nutrients for stronger bones.

Thus, Glucosamine plays an important role in the development and maintenance of healthy joints. Hopefully, the above provided information may allow you to find answers to questions related Glucosamine, and know how to supplement Glucosamine appropriately for your body to protect the health of yourself and your family.