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Glucosamine sulfate; Glucosamine hydrochloride
Glucosamine, which is produced naturally in the body, plays a key role in building cartilage; the tough connective tissue that cushions the joints.
Several scientific studies suggest that glucosamine may be an effective treatment for pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="osteoarthritis" data-rx-definition="Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear joint disease causing pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।">osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a type of swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis that occurs when cartilage breaks down and is lost, either due to injury or normal wear and tear. It commonly occurs as people age. In some studies, glucosamine supplements have decreased the joint pain of OA. Not all studies are positive, however, and several have not found any positive effect from taking glucosamine. It is not clear why the studies have conflicting results. But experts disagree on whether glucosamine is helpful in treating OA.
In the past, some researchers thought glucosamine may actually slow progression of the disease, unlike other current medical treatments for OA. Many people take either acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) for OA pain. Some of these drugs can cause stomach upset, cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and in some cases, stomach ulcers, and infertility.
So far studies have not shown conclusively that glucosamine helps repair or grow new cartilage, or prevents further damage to cartilage. Glucosamine is often taken with chondroitin, another supplement thought to be effective in treating OA. Like glucosamine, chondroitin has conflicting results in studies.
Uses
pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="osteoarthritis" data-rx-definition="Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear joint disease causing pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।">Osteoarthritis
Results from several scientific studies suggest that glucosamine supplements may be an effective treatment for OA, particularly OA of the knee or hip. In general, these studies suggest that glucosamine:
- Reduces OA pain
- Improves function in people with hip or knee OA
- Reduces joint swelling and stiffness
- Provides relief from OA symptoms for up to 3 months after treatment is stopped
However, the largest clinical trial so far, the 2006 Glucosamine/Chondroitin pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), showed conflicting and somewhat confusing results. The study of about 1,600 people with OA of the knee found that glucosamine alone, or in combination with chondroitin, did not reduce pain in the overall group, although it did appear to lessen pain among those with moderate-to-severe OA of the knee. The study has raised questions for further research. Researchers are now studying whether the glucosamine chondroitin combination may help people with more severe OA.
A second phase in 2008 looked at participants who continued with the study for another 28 months. They were tested to see whether glucosamine or chondroitin (together or alone) slowed the loss of cartilage in their knees. They showed no difference in cartilage loss compared with people who took placebo. But all groups, those taking placebo, those taking both supplements, and those taking only one supplement, lost less cartilage than expected. Other studies show that people with OA who took glucosamine (1,500 mg once a day) experienced greater improvement in their condition compared to people who took 100 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) 3 times a day.
Most studies show that glucosamine needs to be taken for 2 to 4 months before it is effective, although you may experience improvements sooner. Glucosamine and chondroitin can be used along with NSAIDs to treat OA.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis are two inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) marked by chronic, frequent, bloody diarrhea. Preliminary evidence suggests that N-acetyl glucosamine oral supplements or enemas may help improve symptoms of IBD in children who have not improved with standard medical treatment. However, the study was small and lacked a control group. So it is impossible to say whether glucosamine really worked. More research is needed.
Cancer
Preliminary evidence suggests that glucosamine inhibits cancer cell growth. In one study, use of glucosamine and chondroitin was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer after 5 years of follow up. More research is needed.
Dietary Sources
There are no major food sources of glucosamine, so you must get it from supplements. Most supplements are made from chitin, the hard outer shells of shrimp, lobsters, and crabs. Other forms of glucosamine are available for people who are allergic to shellfish.
Available Forms
Glucosamine is available in oral supplements as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and n-acetyl glucosamine. These products may come in tablet, capsule, and powder forms. It is often combined with chondroitin and sometimes manganese as well. Manganese is a trace mineral necessary for normal bone health. The total amount of manganese from foods and supplements should not exceed 11 mg per day. But several combination supplements for pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis (containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and manganese) have more than that. Read labels carefully, and consider choosing a supplement without manganese.
Glucosamine hydrochloride may be better absorbed by the body.
Glucosamine is available as an injectable form that your doctor can insert directly into a joint. N-acetyl glucosamine is also available as an enema.
How to Take It
Pediatric
Glucosamine is not recommended for children. It is mainly used to treat OA (a condition that affects adults), and its safety for children has not been studied.
Adults
You may need to take supplements on a long-term basis to reduce the pain and infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation of OA. Talk with your doctor.
Precautions
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
Studies suggest that glucosamine is safe and causes only minor side effects, such as stomach upset, heartburn, indigestion, gas, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. If these occur, try taking glucosamine with food. People with peptic ulcers should take glucosamine sulfate with food.
Glucosamine sulfate may contain high amounts of sodium or potassium. People on a restricted diet or who take potassium-sparing diuretics should carefully check the label before taking glucosamine supplements.
People with diabetes should have their blood sugar checked regularly. Glucosamine may cause insulin to work less effectively. Animal studies show an association between glucosamine levels and insulin resistance.
Some glucosamine supplements are made from shellfish. So people with shellfish allergies should check with a doctor before taking glucosamine supplements.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take glucosamine, since it has not been studied for safety in these groups.
Glucosamine may raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels. See your doctor regularly to have these levels checked while you are taking glucosamine.
There is some concern that glucosamine may increase exacerbations in some people with asthma.
Possible Interactions
If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use glucosamine or make any adjustments to your medications without first talking to your doctor.
Warfarin (Coumadin): Glucosamine may increase the blood-thinning effect of Warfarin (coumadin) and may increase the risk of bruising or bleeding, which can be serious. Speak with your physician.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): If you take NSAIDs to relieve the pain of OA, taking glucosamine may reduce the dose of NSAIDs you need to take. Since NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding, reducing the dose can be helpful. Talk to your doctor before taking glucosamine, since it can take several months before you experience any improvements.
Blood sugar-lowering medications or insulin: Glucosamine may change the dose needed for blood sugar-lowering medications and insulin. If you take these medications for diabetes, talk to your doctor before taking glucosamine.
Cancer medications such as Doxorubicin, Etoposide, and Teniposide: Glucosamine may negatively interact with these drugs. There is some concern that glucosamine may increase cell growth, which is the opposite of what these treatments are designed to do.
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