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.
It is an amino sugar and a well known precursor in the biochemical combination of glycosylated proteins and lipids. Glucosamine makes up a very significant part of the exoskeletons of crustaceans as well as other arthropods. It is present in fungi and various higher organisms, and it is one of the most bountiful monosaccharides. Glucosamine is made commercially by the hydrolysis of crustacean exoskeletons.
It is often used to treat osteoarthritis, even though expert opinions as to its effectiveness in medical therapy vary. It can be purchased as a nutritional supplement in fitness food stores as well as in various drug stores. Supplements are created in a lab from chitin, which is a substance that comes from the shells of shrimp, lobster, crab, and other sea creatures. In addition to this, glucosamine is added to sports drinks and can also be found in certain cosmetics.
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 this is a disease associated with aging, the natural glucosamine needed for repairs is decreasing so supplements may be needed. Generally, glucosamine is believed to reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis and also to reduce further damage to the knee joints. Most doctors suggest a trial period of three months to determine effectiveness. If there is no relief after this time, it is discontinued as ineffective. The most standard dose of glucosamine is 1500 mg per day of this supplement.
Glucosamine is a compound that the latest research has shown to be very beneficial to promoting joint healing. This is a very important distinction that should be recognized, when looking at joint pain products. Most over the counter joint pain products are primarily concerned with pain reduction and only pain reduction. Glucosamine promote healing in damaged joints, thus relieving pain in both acute and chronic arthritic conditions.
I would like to share my first clinical experience with a lquid vitamin glucosamine supplement that really opened my eyes and my mind to the possible health benefits of glucosamine.
I had a patient who owned a karate school, he was a black belt. He would perform various karate techniques at competitions and events. For years one of the techniques he demonstrated was breaking boards with karate kicks. On one visits to my office he complained of foot pain around the big toe. His x-ray revealed no fractures, but he was diagnosis with halicus degenerous, a condition where the main joint of the big toe is deteriorating. His condition was severe, with over 50% of the joint obliterated.
When we were discussing his options he asked me about taking a liquid vitamin glucosamine supplement. At this point I really was not very familiar with glucosamine. This was almost twenty years ago, and I had not seen or read anything about it, so I told him I would look into it. There was not very much research, or documentation, but what was available indicated that it was safe and might help. I spoke with the patient about the info I read, and he decided to try it.
I only saw that patient a few times over the next year. On a follow-up visit, almost one year after the initial visit, he indicated that the toe was no longer a problem, so I asked if we could take a new x-ray of it. Well, let me tell you that I was more that a little surprise to see what appeared to be an x-ray of a completely normal toe. That kind of healing generally does not take place.
This was just one of many positive experiences I have witnessed over the years. So to answer the question, yes absolutely taking a liquid vitamin glucosamine supplement should help reduce your joint pain.
Possible the only drawback to taking a quality liquid vitamin glucosamine supplement is that due to nature of how it reduces joint pain, it has to be taken for three to four months before you start to see joint pain relief. This is because unlike pain killers that cover-up the pain, glucosamine stimulates the joint to heal and restores the joint to its normal condition. When the joint is in better shape it stop stimulating the pain nerve endings. Unfortunately this takes some time, about three to four months.
Both Jamaal Harrison & Eddie Yakubovich are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jamaal Harrison has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Computers and The Internet and Vitamin Guide. Check out Jamaal Harrison's free video on joint pain.. Jamaal Harrison's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
Eddie Yakubovich has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Nutrition and Black Market. Discover the secrets of . Learn even more about. Eddie Yakubovich's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.