What is Glucosamine?
Cartilage, a component of the joints, is made up of chondroitin and glucosamine, two naturally occurring amino sugars that are essential building blocks of glycosaminoglycans, one of the structural elements of cartilage and other connective tissues; the tough connective tissue cushions the joints, and glycosaminoglycans are important constituents of cartilaginous properties like elasticity, strength, and flexibility.
Glucosamine and chondroitin protect cartilage-maintaining cells known as chondrocytes. According to theory, these dietary supplements may reduce discomfort in joints by delaying cartilage deterioration. Glucosamine has been demonstrated to increase skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, and speed wound healing by inducing the creation of hyaluronic acid. It is also helpful in treating hyperpigmentation issues because it decreases the synthesis of melanin by blocking tyrosinase activation. Mechanistically, glucosamine also has chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.
Glucosamine Supplements:
N-acetyl glucosamine, glucosamine hydrochloride, and glucosamine sulfate are the names of the glucosamine supplements. Glucosamine supplementation may improve the fluid and cartilage surrounding joints and/or help stop their deterioration.
Mechanism of Action of Glucosamine
There are two possible ways that glucosamine sulfate works. First, glucosamine sulfate is thought to increase the expression of type II collagen in chondrocytes and promote the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans. Second, glucosamine sulfate is hypothesized to suppress the formation of inflammatory cytokines by reducing prostaglandin E2 synthesis, inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), and decreasing the expression of catabolic enzymes such as metalloproteinases. This inhibits the degradation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan.
Dietary Sources of Glucosamine
One must obtain glucosamine via supplements because there are no significant food sources for it. The hard outer shells of crabs, lobsters, and shrimp, known as chitin, are used to make the majority of supplements. For those with shellfish allergies, there are alternative types of glucosamine.
Uses of Glucosamine Supplements
Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine supplements may be a useful treatment for osteoarthritis, especially of the knee or hip, according to the findings of multiple scientific studies. These studies generally show that glucosamine:
- Lessens pain in osteoarthritis;
- Enhances function in individuals with knee or hip OA.
- Lessens stiffness and edema in the joints
- Offers OA symptom alleviation for up to three months following the cessation of treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Early study suggests that taking glucosamine hydrochloride orally may help to relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain. However, the researchers found no improvement in inflammation or the number of painful or swollen joints.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Initial findings suggest that N-acetyl glucosamine oral supplements may help relieve Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis symptoms in children who have not responded to normal medical treatments. However, because the trial was limited and did not include a control group, it is impossible to determine whether glucosamine was effective. More investigation is required.
Cancer
Preliminary research suggests that glucosamine suppresses cancer cell growth. One study discovered that ingesting glucosamine and chondroitin was associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer after five years of follow-up. Further inquiry is required.
What are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates?
Healthy cartilage contains both glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. These nutritional supplements are available without a prescription at pharmacies and health food stores. They are the precursors of proteoglycans and appear to stimulate chondrocytes to create new collagen and proteoglycans. The supplements are widely acknowledged and safe.
Because these supplements encourage the creation of new cartilage components, they are thought to help the body heal cartilage damage caused by osteoarthritis.
Side Effects and Safety of Glucosamine Sulfate
When taken in appropriate amounts, glucosamine sulfate appears to be safe. Oral use of glucosamine sulfate can cause:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Lethargy
- Skin reactions
- Headache
There is worry that glucosamine products derived from shellfish shells may cause an adverse reaction in those with shellfish allergies. Glucosamine may aggravate asthma.
Toxicity of Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate has been shown in studies to be a relatively safe oral supplement. Only a few rare case studies have indicated hepatotoxicity after more than three weeks of treatment with glucosamine sulfate. However, all of the patients on the list had a serious preexisting liver illness, and one of the eight experienced hepatic failure.
Studies regarding Arthritis
In 2017, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons issued a clinical practice recommendation on the therapy of hip osteoarthritis, concluding that moderate strength evidence does not support the use of glucosamine sulfate for hip osteoarthritis. This conclusion was based on a single high-quality study that was identified. This 2008 study comprised 222 volunteers who were given either glucosamine sulfate or a placebo for two years. In terms of pain, joint function, and joint structure (as measured by joint space narrowing), glucosamine had no advantage over placebo.
Research with 162 participants assessed chondroitin for hand osteoarthritis. In this 6-month research, the chondroitin group experienced less pain and improved hand function more than the placebo group.
An analysis of 8 trials (538 individuals) on glucosamine for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis found no conclusive evidence about whether glucosamine supplements are beneficial for symptoms of this illness. The studies were difficult to compare since they utilized different methodologies and types of glucosamine, and some of them could have been biased. The reviewers did, however, determine that taking glucosamine for three months or more resulted in less pain and improved maximal mouth opening.
Is collagen better than glucosamine?
Collagen and glucosamine are both prescribed to address joint problems. However, research indicates that collagen is more beneficial than glucosamine. However, using collagen and glucosamine together improves its effectiveness. If you just have to select between collagen and glucosamine, collagen should be your choice. Marine collagen is more easily absorbed by the body and is derived naturally from fish and shellfish.
References
Dahmer, S., & Schiller, R. M. (2008). Glucosamine. American Family Physician, 78(4), 471-476.
Reginster, J. Y., Neuprez, A., Lecart, M. P., Sarlet, N., & Bruyere, O. (2012). Role of glucosamine in the treatment for osteoarthritis. Rheumatology international, 32, 2959-2967.
Meng, Z., Liu, J., & Zhou, N. (2023). Efficacy and safety of the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 143(1), 409-421.
Conrozier, T., & Lohse, T. (2022). Glucosamine as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: What If It’s True?. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 820971.
Veronese, N., Demurtas, J., Smith, L., Reginster, J. Y., Bruyère, O., Beaudart, C., … & on behalf on the European Geriatric Medicine Society Special Interest Groups in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Arthritis. (2020). Glucosamine sulphate: an umbrella review of health outcomes. Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease, 12, 1759720X20975927.
