Does Glucosamine Have Health Benefits?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Oral use of glucosamine sulfate

might provide some pain relief for people with osteoarthritis of the knee

. Some research shows that it may also help slow knee joint degeneration associated with osteoarthritis.

Why you shouldn’t take glucosamine?

Glucosamine

may affect blood sugar and insulin levels

. However, studies are mixed. Talk to your doctor before taking this supplement if you have diabetes or insulin resistance. Animal studies show that glucosamine may further increase LDL “bad” cholesterol levels if you eat a lot of fatty foods.

Is glucosamine really healthy?

If you’re looking for a supplement that may ease your joint pain, glucosamine might be worth a try.

Some studies show it gives relief for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, and it may work for other joints, too

.

Do doctors recommend glucosamine?

Despite conflicting results in studies,

there is no clear evidence to recommend against its use

. If physicians have patients who wish to try glucosamine, it would be reasonable to support a 60-day trial of glucosamine sulfate, especially in those at high risk of secondary effects from other accepted treatments.

Does glucosamine make you fat?

Results: GlcN administration stimulated body weight gain (6.58±0.82 g vs. 11.1±0.42 g),

increased white adipose tissue fat mass

(percentage of bodyweight, 3.7±0.32 g vs. 5.61±0.34 g), and impaired the insulin response in livers of mice fed CD.

Can glucosamine cause liver damage?

Hepatotoxicity.

In controlled trials, glucosamine and its combination with chondroitin have not been linked to serum enzyme elevations or to instances of clinically apparent liver injury

. In addition, cases of clinically apparent liver injury have not been reported from prospective trials.

Can you take vitamin D and glucosamine together?

These medications are

not usually taken together

.

Does glucosamine rebuild cartilage?

Animal studies have found that

glucosamine can both delay the breakdown of and repair damaged cartilage

. The results for the use of glucosamine for osteoarthritis are mixed and the size of the effect is modest.

What’s the side effects of glucosamine?

Side effects of glucosamine are typically mild and include

nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation

. More serious side effects, including drowsiness, skin reactions, and headache are rare. Taking the supplements with food seems to ease side effects.

How long should I take glucosamine?

Most studies have shown that glucosamine needs to be taken for

two to four months

before its full benefits are realized, although some will experience improvement sooner. Potential side effects of glucosamine-chondroitin include: Nausea.

What medications should not be taken with glucosamine?


Blood sugar lowering medications or insulin

— Glucosamine may alter the need for blood sugar lowering medications and insulin. Check with your health care provider before taking glucosamine supplements if you have diabetes and require blood sugar lowering medicines or insulin.

What can you take to lubricate your joints?

  • Dark, leafy vegetables.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon, mackerel, and flaxseeds)
  • Anti-inflammatory foods that have curcumin in them (a compound found in turmeric)
  • High antioxidant foods (onions, garlic, green tea, and berries)
  • Nuts and seeds.

What food has glucosamine?

For dietary supplements, glucosamine is harvested from the shells of shellfish (like shrimp, lobster and crab) or made synthetically in a laboratory. There are no natural food sources of glucosamine other than

shellfish shells

, per the Mayo Clinic.

Is glucosamine an anti-inflammatory?

Similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,

glucosamine sulfate has been shown to have unique anti-inflammatory effects

. Additionally, in some laboratory tests, the glucosamine supplement demonstrated a protective effect on the cartilage as well.

How can I build cartilage in my knee naturally?


Legumes are high in protein, which is why they help replenish the collagen our body needs to rebuild the cartilage in our knees

. Not only are they high in protein, but they also have amino acids and lysines, both of which are essential when trying to rebuild knee cartilage naturally.

Is glucosamine good for weight loss?


Theoretically, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM supplementation may provide additive benefits to individuals with knee OA initiating an exercise and weight loss program

.

What is the best form of glucosamine to take?

When taken by mouth:

Glucosamine sulfate

is likely safe in most adults when used for up to 3 years. Glucosamine hydrochloride is possibly safe for most adults when used for up to 2 years. N-acetyl glucosamine is also possibly safe when used for up to 6 months.

Can glucosamine cause fatigue?


Insomnia also can be a side effect of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements

, sometimes taken for joint pain. Anemia is a condition where a lower than normal number of red blood cells prevents tissues and organs from getting enough oxygen. This can lead to fatigue.

Is glucosamine hard on the kidneys?

Reintroduction of glucosamine resulted in loss of kidney function after 3 weeks, with GFR reduced from 60 to 53 mL/ min. Thus,

glucosamine was shown to cause renal toxicity

. Referring to other reported cases, we conclude that toxicity is rare but may also be underreported.

Does glucosamine raise cholesterol?

Glucosamine is a component of the hexosamine pathway, which has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance.

Anecdotal reports suggest that glucosamine consumption can increase circulating cholesterol concentrations

.

Can glucosamine be toxic?


Glucosamine has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated

. Common side effects are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. There is a risk for severe and life-threatening allergic reactions to glucosamine in people with shellfish allergy or those with asthma.

Does glucosamine interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)

. Taking glucosamine sulfate and acetaminophen together might reduce the effectiveness of both the supplement and medication. Warfarin (Jantoven).

Who should not take glucosamine chondroitin?

Glucosamine is extracted from a substance in shellfish. The effects of these supplements on a growing child or developing baby are not yet known. For that reason, glucosamine and chondroitin are not recommended for

children, women who are pregnant, women who are nursing, and women who could become pregnant

.

Can I take multivitamin and glucosamine together?

Interactions between your drugs


No interactions were found between Glucosamine & Chondroitin with MSM and multivitamin with minerals

. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Does glucosamine build collagen?

It has been shown that

glucosamine enhances the production of cartilage matrix components in chondrocyte culture, such as aggrecan and collagen type II

[54, 55]. Glucosamine increases hyaluronic acid production in synovium explants [56].

Can glucosamine reverse arthritis?

Although it has not been proven that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates rebuild cartilage,

there is evidence from some studies that these compounds can reduce osteoarthritis pain, usually within several weeks to months after initiating therapy

.

What vitamins help repair cartilage?


Glucosamine

helps keep the cartilage in joints healthy and may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Natural glucosamine levels drop as people age. Chondroitin is often used with glucosamine as an osteoarthritis treatment.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.