Glucosamine: Does it work?

Glucosamine: Does it work?

Ball and stick model of glucosamine ((2R,6R)-6...

Will this stuff help my arthritis?

Great question.

The short answer is yes, it does work.

However, glucosamine supplements are not all the same.

Nor will they work for everybody.

Now this is a complicated subject, and we’ll be discussing this in a lot more detail in our upcoming webinar. But here are a few general guidelines for you.

Is glucosamine for arthritis?

It depends on what you mean by “arthritis.”

There are a number of different kinds of arthritis, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the two most common forms in adults.

In osteoarthritis, the pain and inflammation is caused by a loss of cartilage.

Now glucosamine is one of the natural building blocks of glucosamine.

So taking a glucosamine supplement can help rebuild the loss cartilage.

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a systemic inflammatory condition that affects the linings of joints.

There is some cartilage loss in rheumatoid arthritis, but it’s not the main cause of pain and inflammation.

So taking glucosamine for rheumatoid arthritis may help a little, but what’s really needed in rheumatoid arthritis is a good, safe anti-inflammatory supplement.

Is glucosamine anti-inflammatory?

There are studies which show that glucosamine has some mild anti-inflammatory effects. But it’s really not a great anti-inflammatory supplement.

If you’re looking for a natural anti-inflammatory, there are much better options, such as curcumin.

Sulfate or Hydrochloride?

When reading labels, always look for glucosamine sulfate, and avoid glucosamine hydrochloride (or glucosamine HCl).

Many studies show that the sulfate form is better absorbed, so it will work far better than the HCl form.

Do I need chondroitin?

Many glucosamine supplements have chondroitin. But it’s not an absolute requirement. In fact, there is little evidence that adding chondroitin increases the effectiveness of the glucosamine.

You’re better off taking a glucosamine supplement that also contains MSM and antioxidants.

Want to know more?

We’re holding a live presentation on July 3 at 8 pm, where we’ll discuss all of these issues. Join us, and have your questions ready!


Related articles