Jarrius Russell

Glucosamine What is Glucosamine? Glucosamine makes up part of the polysaccharide structure, which is responsible for forming the exoskeleton of crustaceans and the cell walls of fungi, it serves as one of the most important precursors in the biochemical synthesis of glycosylated lipids and protein. Glycosylate undergoes the chemical synthesis of glycosylation which produces one of the most fundamental biopolymers found in human cells similar to proteins, RNA, and DNA. Glucosamine is also one of the most abundant simple sugars and is mainly produced through hydrolysis of crustacean exoskeletons. In some instances it can also be produced through the fermentation of corn or wheat. Commonly Used Medical Applications Glucosamine is typically referenced as being able to treat and aid in the reduction of pain caused by stiff or weak joints. Many osteoarthritis patients use glucosamine to reduce joint degradation and osteopathic symptoms. The effects of glucosamine as a supplement are still fairly unknown although evidence has shown that glucosamine may have the potential to cause insulin resistance. Glucosamine’s Claim Glucosamine is primarily known for its beneficial health effects related to symptoms of deteriorating joints and osteoarthritis. Studies conducted on glucosamine show a significant chance that supplementation might trigger beneficial reactions in the user, however research is still being conducted to test exactly how effective glucosamine can be as a supplement. Many researchers believe that using glucosamine over long periods of time will have a positive effect on your joint strength, people who engage in high impact sports are more likely to see the benefits of glucosamine against degrading joints when taken for a pro-longed period. Top Recommendation Doctor's Best Glucosamine Doctor's Best Glucosamine comes in at the #1 spot for many reasons! This product contains 750mg of glucosamine sulfate, 600mg of chondroitin sulfate, and 500mg of MSM. It is a non-GMO product and is free of any gluten additives. The combination of these ingredients provides the ideal supplement to build up the cartilage in between your joints. Research has shown that Doctor's Best Glucosamine aids with pain relief in the following areas: Joint Pain Bone strength Improving cartridge quality Maintains flexible joints Help nail growth Promotes hair strength Anti-aging benefits Purchase Doctor's Best Glucosamine Here The Research Glucosamine is most commonly known for its health effects related to the areas of bones and joints, osteoarthritis, and cartilage support. The supplemental use of glucosamine is typically recommended for people with symptoms of bone and joint degradation, loose tendons, tissue injury, pain and range of motion loss. If your daily routine consists of activities that constantly call on the strength of your tissue, bones, joints or ligaments, looking into the potential benefits that could arise from supplemental use may actually help! Below are some of the studies conducted on Glucosamine to test for its potential health benefits: Research has shown a 13-point reduction in pain relief on a scale of 0-100 for patients tested with common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Link to the study Decreases in osteoarthritis pain have been reported in test conducted. Link to the study While there is pending research to inevitably conclude the potential effects glucosamine could have on the rate of recovery for tissue damage, the tests that have been conducted point to a slight acceleration in the rate of rehabilitation for patients suffering from tissue related problems. Link to the study Slight increases in range of motion have been noticed in clinical tests conducted on glucosamine. Link to the study Research surrounding the effectiveness of glucosamine is still very minimal and continues to develop. With that being said it doesn’t hurt to try supplementing with glucosamine if you’re experiencing joint pain, cartilage degradation or any other symptoms related to osteoarthritis. Who is at risk for joint and cartilage degradation? High impact sports players and fighters are amongst the top demographics that suffer from weak joints, cartilage degradation, and knee osteoarthritis. The repeated physical abuse to one’s joints and tissue caused by high impact sports is one of the leading causes for glucosamine supplementation. Weight can have a significant impact on your joints as well, obesity is known to lead to both the onset and progression of osteoarthritis. Age also plays a factor in the rate of deterioration your bones and joints experience. Older adults and elderly people with poor diets or hereditary predispositions to weak joint health and other symptoms related to osteoarthritis have a higher chance of experiencing degenerative joint disease. Damage caused to your joints will accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis in most cases. Recommended Dosage Glucosamine should also be taken with food, when supplementing you should aim to take at least 300mg-500mg three times daily. The recommended daily dose for glucosamine is anywhere from 900mg-1500mg so as long as you stay within that range for your daily regime you are good money! Typically the best way to supplement with glucosamine is to take glucosamine sulfate salts, glucosamine sulfate is also effective for supplementation. Research has shown that forms of glucosamine such as glucosamine hydrochloride are proven to be ineffective for supplementation. Possible Side Effects of Glucosamine Supplementation Nausea Heartburn Diarrhea Constipation Drowsiness Skin Reactions Headaches Does it actually work? The Consensus There have been many studies conducted on glucosamine as a supplement to test for the various health benefits it potentially possesses. Scientists conclude that glucosamine does provide some solid evidence in areas of pain relief associated with degenerative joints and damaged tissue recovery. Most researchers recommend that to see the full potential of glucosamine it must be taken over a period of time. However the only problem with these findings is that clinical research is still quite inadequate surrounding the use of glucosamine as a supplement to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis and other degenerative tissue and joint diseases. How effective is Glucosamine? Doctors and scientists have concluded that while glucosamine supplementation has shown slight signs of potential effectiveness in areas of joint pain, degenerative tissue diseases, and ligament damage there is still not enough evidence out to finalize a statement that fully back-ups what the few number of lab test that have been conducted state as results on the effectiveness of glucosamine as a supplement. The thought that it does aid in pain relief related to degenerative tissue disease, damaged joints etc. is clouded by speculation that many tests may in fact be pumped by the industry for profit. Doctors state that if you do decide to experiment with glucosamine supplementation you should also consider adding other supplements to your regime as well as changing your diet to revolve around more anti-inflammatory nutrients. If would like to see the full list of studies conducted on glucosamine for it’s possible benefits when used as a supplement, please click here Should you supplement with glucosamine? Glucosamine isn’t an essential vitamin or even necessarily vital to any particular life sustaining function our bodies perform. While supplementation with glucosamine isn’t recommended just for the sake of taking another supplement, it is however recommended that you at least try supplementing with glucosamine if you are experiencing symptoms or problems related to joint, tissue, ligament or bone pain. If you have incurred an injury to your joints or tissue due to sports or any other physical act you should also try supplementing with glucosamine to see if it works for you! Common Signs of Degenerative joint or tissue disease If you are experiencing a decrease in the range of motion in your joints and ligaments, you may potentially have degenerative tissue damage. Consistent pain in association with your knee or other areas of your body where ligaments, tendons, and joints connect with tissue can also be a sign of degenerative joint and cartilage health. Who should supplement with Glucosamine? As stated earlier in the article being that research surrounding glucosamine’ s potential effectiveness for the prevention of symptoms and signs related to degenerative tissue disease is still very limited, the recommendation for supplementation with glucosamine Is purely subjective. If you are experiencing signs that you believe point to a problem with your joint health it won’t hurt to try supplementing with glucosamine along with other anti-inflammatory products to see if it has any effect on your overall tissue, joint, ligament, and bone health. Below I’ve listed some of the most common symptoms that people who choose to supplement with glucosamine experience: Limited or decreased range of motion Mild to ever swelling around the areas of your joints Clicking sounds when you bend or move your joints Hip pain Lower back pain Hand pain Outgrowth in toes Joint deformity Neck pain Knee pain If you experience any of these symptoms, you may want to look at your options for glucosamine supplementation. A number of people have reported small increases in pain relief or decreases in joint and ligament stiffness. Slight increases in range of motion have also been reported in studies on glucosamine supplementation. Glucosamine For fighters As fighters we consistently absorb the abuse that our joints and other sensitive body parts take as a result of our intense sport. Over time deterioration of the ligaments, tissue, joints and even bones can have a significant impact on your ability to perform. You should always monitor the amount of pain you experience on a day-to-day basis and try to make adjustments to practices in efforts to reduce the amount of tension your muscles, ligaments, and joints receive as a result of fighting. Regardless of the few number of studies conducted on glucosamine, there is some pretty compelling evidence of the potential health benefits it possesses. Fighters are recommended to monitor their joint and bone activity to determine whether or not glucosamine supplementation would be right for them. Supplementation for fighters Supplement if: You commonly experience pain associated with your joints, ligaments, bones, or tissue. If you have a hereditary predisposition to degenerative ligament disease. You notice a decrease in your range of motion or begin to hear clicking sounds when you move your joints. Don’t supplement if: You have a diet that consist of anti-inflammatory foods or products. Do not experience any pain related to your joints, ligaments, tissue, or bones. Glucosamine Supplement Recommendations #1 Kirkland’s Signature Extra Strength Glucosamine Kirkland’s Signature Extra Strength Glucosamine is one of the purest glucosamine supplements available on the market with roughly 1500mg of MSM per serving. It has one of the highest dosages available amongst similar supplements on the market. Purchase Kirkland’s Signature Extra Strength Glucosamine Here #2 Doctor’s Best Glucosamine Doctor's Best Glucosamine contains 750mg of glucosamine sulfate, 600mg of chondroitin sulfate, and 500mg of MSM per serving. This non-gmo glucosamine supplement combines three different powerful degenerative tissue disease fighting agents and is gluten free. Purchase Doctor's Best Glucosamine Here #3 Move Free Glucosamine Move Free Glucosamine supports joint health in five different areas including: mobility, comfort, strength, flexibility and lubrication. It also promotes tissue health and has protective properties to protect against tissue degeneration. Purchase Move Free Glucosamine Here #4 U.S. Doctors' Clinical Arthro-7 Joint Supplement U.S. Doctors' Clinical Arthro-7 Joint Supplement Contains a fast release formula that promotes the overall wellbeing of your joints, and cartilage. This supplement supports mobility and is clinically proven to reduce pain associated with the joints in as little as 2 weeks. It contains a blend of Collagen, Vitamin C, MSM, CMO, Bromelain, Lipase, and Turmeric to promote the healthy activity of your bones and joints. Purchase U.S. Doctors' Clinical Arthro-7 Joint Supplement Here