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Glucosamine
Glucosamine (2-amino-2-deoxy beta-D-glucopyranose) is a substrate for the production of articular cartilage and is present in most human tissue. Commercial products are prepared from the shells of crabs and other crustaceans.
Uses and Benefits:
Glucosamine is commonly employed for musculoskeletal and other types of chronic pain. It has been studied primarily for pain due to osteoarthritis.
Pharmacology:
Endogenous glucosamine is used to produce pycosaminoglycans and other proteoglycans within articular cartilage. In osteoarthritis, the rate of production of new cartilage is (:xceeded by the rate of degradation of existing cartilage, resul in a net loss. Administration of exogenous glucosamine pro