Does Glucosamine Work?

Does glucosamine work? Is glucosamine really an effective remedy for joint pain?

Glucosamine is a natural substance found in the body that stimulates cartilage production and inhibits the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints and enables the bones to move smoothly over one another. Glucosamine levels and cartilage decline with age, which can lead to pain and stiffness in the joints and osteoarthritis.

Supplemental glucosamine has been used in Europe since the 1960s, but it wasn't until the publication of the book The Arthritis Cure in the mid-1990s that supplemental glucosamine became popular. Since then, glucosamine has surpassed the $200 million mark in annual sales and is now one of the most popular supplements on the market.

Although there are some studies that suggest that glucosamine doesn't work, numerous studies have shown that glucosamine is effective at easing joint pain and improving joint flexibility, and some studies even indicate that it may help rebuild cartilage. There's also plenty of anecdotal evidence that glucosamine is an effective remedy for joint pain.

Supplemental glucosamine (which is usually derived from the shells of shellfish) is available in three different forms: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl-glucosamine. There's some debate as to which form is most effective, but glucosamine sulfate is the most researched form and has the largest amount of clinical trial data supporting its efficacy.

Here are five tips for supplementing with glucosamine:

1. Take glucosamine for a minimum of four weeks before assessing its effectiveness. The effects of glucosamine occur over time, not right away.

2. Once joint pain subsides, continue taking glucosamine to prevent joint pain from occurring in the future.

3. Taking glucosamine together with chondroitin sulfate, another effective joint pain supplement, has been shown to increase their individual effects.

4. Try taking glucosamine instead of common pain killers such as Ibuprofen. Glucosamine treats both the causes and symptoms of joint pain, while common pain killers only treat the symptoms and can often produce negative side effects.

5. Avoid taking glucosamine if you're allergic to shellfish.

In conclusion, now that you know that the answer to the question does glucosamine work is a definitive yes, you should give glucosamine a try if you suffer from joint pain. It might just be the remedy for joint pain that you've been looking for.