Glucosamine Sulphate

Glucosamine sulphate is a combination of a protein and a sugar. It is made naturally in the connective tissues and in the cartilage joints. It is usually combined with chondroitin (found in the cartilage cells), and sold as a dietary supplement. Glucosamine sulphate has a large molecular structure, making it hard for it to pass through small pores in capillary walls. Therefore, many manufacturers break it down into smaller molecular base compounds such as amino acids and aminosaccharides.

Uses of Glucosamine Sulphate

Glucosamine sulphate can help fight osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is thought to be the destruction of cartilage caused by a loss of collagen and proteoglycans (both proteins). Glucosamine is needed to make these proteins and so glucosamine has been suggested as an effective treatment. So much so, that it in some European countries glucosamine sulphate has been approved as a prescription drug for osteoarthritis. In 2001, a study in the Lancet (a medical journal), revealed that glucosamine controlled the symptoms of osteoarthritis and there was even a suggestion that it reversed the disease process. In 2003, scientists reviewed the results of 15 studies using glucosamine and/or chondroitin on osteoarthritis in the knee. They found that the use of glucosamine and/or chondroitin was effective. They also found, that it slowed the narrowing of the joint spaces and also helped to improve joint mobility for 1 in 5 patients.

Supplementation

If you are going to take glucosamine supplements, it is recommend that you consult your doctor. Furthermore, buy products from large respectable companies and read the label to make sure you know what you are getting. Caution is recommend for long-term use as there is little research into the long-term effects of glucosamine. The recommended daily intake is 1500 mg – 2000 mg per day (the same amount used in studies). It may take several weeks before there are any signs of reduced symptoms but benefits can persist for several weeks after you stop taking glucosamine, if you do not experience any relief within 3 months, it is likely that you will get no relief at all from glucosamine.

Side Effects

It is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking glucosamine supplements. Please bare in mind that the long-term effects of glucosamine supplements are not yet known. There are minimal side effects from glucosamine supplementation, and even these were noted in very rare reports. Side effects include, skin rashes, headaches, downiness, diarrhoea and flatulence. If you are allergic to chitin in shellfish (from which glucosamine is extracted), you should be careful when supplementing. Children, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding, should not take glucosamine. Diabetics should also be careful as there is some concern that glucosamine supplements may raise blood levels although the evidence for this is inconclusive.