According to statistics, every third person experiences joint diseases. And among them are not only elderly people, but also young people - 30-35 years old. The problem also affects bodybuilders, overweight people, sedentary office workers and representatives of certain professions (loaders, builders, workers). The rate of degradation of cartilage tissue is different for all people, but they have one thing in common - a lack of glucosamine. This is an organic substance, due to the lack of which arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis and other characteristic diseases develop. Preparations with glucosamine for joints restore cartilage, relieve swelling and restore previous mobility.
Glucosamine is an important component for joint health
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Examiner.com research director Curtis Frank presents the simplest way to describe the effects of glucosamine supplementation for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip:
“We're pretty sure glucosamine helps, but we're not sure to what extent. We already know that taking glucosamine sulfate for a longer time is better than taking glucosamine hydrochloride for a short time.”
Many experts recommend taking glucosamine, but it's unlikely to magically reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Therefore, it should be combined with other protective factors such as exercise, a low-inflammatory diet, and possibly the use of other supplements.
The main purpose of glucosamine is to form long chains called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which require joint regeneration.[2]
How does glucosamine work?
The body uses glucosamine to produce other chemicals that help build tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the fluid that surrounds joints.
The joints are surrounded by fluid and cartilage. In some people with osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down and becomes thinner. This leads to more frequent friction, pain and stiffness in the joints. Researchers believe that taking glucosamine may increase the density of cartilage and fluid surrounding joints, or at least prevent the breakdown of these substances .[3]
We know two main types of glucosamine:
• Glucosamine hydrochloride
• Glucosamine sulfate
Although they are similar, they do not have the same effect when used as supplements.
Glucosamine is very often used in the field of alternative medicine for osteoarthritis of the knee (of the 47% of people confirming the use of alternative medicine, 59% use glucosamine, and the remaining 41% use chondroitin sulfate).[4]
Artracam is a working drug with glucosamine!
Artracam is a drug that belongs to the group of chondroprotectors.
The drug with glucosamine is designed for the long term - Artracam slowly but surely restores mobility by accumulating in the body. It affects all joints at once, relieves symptoms (pain and swelling), and has a direct effect on cartilage regeneration. The powder has a neutral taste, consists of glucosamine sulfate sodium chloride and glucosamine sulfate, made from natural raw materials. It can be combined with chondroitin.
To achieve lasting and maximum results, it is advisable to take it in courses (1 course = 6 weeks). If necessary, taking glucosamine for joints is combined with NSAIDs, physiotherapy, exercise therapy (physical therapy), and proper nutrition.
Artracam is an effective and safe drug
with glucosamine, which is enough to take once a day so that the joints work properly, and most importantly... painlessly!
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Glucosamine Hydrochloride
Glucosamine hydrochloride is the reference form of glucosamine due to its simplicity, which has not been shown to be beneficial. Many studies in which subjects took this form of glucosamine do not report any significant results and recommend the use of a different form of glucosamine.
Glucosamine release forms for joints
Based on the clinical manifestations and lifestyle of the patient, the doctor individually selects chondroprotectors in different forms.
Glucosamine is available as:
- Injections.
- Mazey.
- Tablets and capsules.
- Powder.
For intramuscular administration, you will need the help of a health care professional - daily injections, unlike taking tablets or powder, can cause inconvenience. External agents (creams and balms) act locally, are characterized by low bioavailability and relatively low efficiency. As for the tablets, you need to take several of them at once.
With powder everything is much simpler: 1 sachet at a time. The composition includes excipients that enhance the effect and benefits of glucosamine. It does not affect the gastric mucosa, contains a daily dose of glucosamine for joints, quickly penetrates the cells and is easily absorbed.
Glucosamine Sulfate – Does It Really Help?
The aforementioned meta-analysis, which failed to find a significant benefit from glucosamine hydrochloride, found an effect of glucosamine with a sulfate called glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine sulfate has better absorption compared to pure glucosamine for previously unknown reasons.[5] Glucosamine sulfate is one of the most popular nutritional supplements for athletes and is also used by athletes with osteoarthritis [6]
A cycling study reported that glucosamine sulfate 1500 mg-3000 mg daily decreased circulating CTX-II (an indicator of collagen degradation) without significantly affecting CPII (an indicator of collagen synthesis).
In many studies, they noted that the addition of 3 g glucosamine modified the serum indicator , which likely suggested minor collagen disturbances . Collagen synthesis does not appear to be significantly affected by what is seen in high-impact sports (soccer) and low-impact sports (cycling).
Another very interesting study was conducted by Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine scientist Rebecca Braham at Monash University in Praharna. Rebecca, along with two other colleagues, studied the effects of glucosamine at a dose of 2000 mg daily for 12 weeks. In addition, tests were included to directly measure joint function and pain in people with knee pain.
The selection was relatively small, with 24 people using glucosamine and 22 placebo . All 46 participants suffered from knee pain due to previous cartilage damage or osteoarthritis that was severe enough to limit them during daily activities . Knee function was measured while climbing stairs and walking. Participants also answered pain questionnaires.
The researchers found that improvement occurred much more quickly in patients using glucosamine sulfate (after about four weeks of use). The biggest benefit of glucosamine was the reduction in perceived pain . At the end of the study, 88% of people taking glucosamine sulfate reported that their knee pain had significantly improved, compared to 17% of those taking placebo. [eleven]
Dietary supplements that contain glucosamine sulfate often contain other ingredients. These ingredients include chondroitin sulfate, MSM, or shark cartilage . Some experts believe that the combination of these substances works better than taking glucosamine alone.[3]
Chondroitin
The study found the effect of a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin on painful osteoarthritis of the knee joints. 1,583 patients were randomized into 5 groups to use the following substances daily for 24 weeks:
1. group took 1500 mg glucosamine 2. group used 1200 mg chondroitin 3. group used a combination of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin 4. group 200 mg Celecoxib 5. placebo
What were the results of the study?
Glucosamine and chondroitin, taken alone or in combination, did not reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Research analyzes suggest that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may be effective in patients with moderate to severe knee pain [7]
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
Methylsulfonylmethane is a joint nutrition that is often paired with glucosamine and chondroitin due to its involvement in joint health.[8][9]
P. Usha and M. Naidu from the Department of Clinical Pharmacology of the Institute of Medical Sciences of India conducted a study on the differences and effects of substances in patients with gonarthrosis over a 12-week period. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the component they used:
1. Glucosamine (1500 mg), 2. MSM (1500 mg), 3. Combination of glucosamine and MSM 4. Placebo
In the third group, taking glucosamine and MSM, they experienced noticeably reduced pain and less swelling in the joint area . Therefore, they concluded that the combination of MSM and glucosamine sulfate provides better and faster recovery in patients with osteoarthritis.[10]
Preparations with glucosamine: indications for use
Glucosamine for joints is taken both for prevention and directly for the treatment of diseases. First of all, it is responsible for the high-quality restoration of cartilage, and as a result, it relieves moderate and mild joint pain.
Taking medications with glucosamine restores cartilage tissue
What diseases does glucosamine help with?
- Osteoarthritis of joints (ankle, knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, wrist, jaw).
- Osteochondrosis (cervical, thoracic, lumbar).
- Arthritis (rheumatoid, reactive, gouty, traumatic and others).
Doctors recommend additional sources of glucosamine:
- Overweight people. Excess weight creates additional stress on the joint capsules.
- Sedentary people.
- People with an active lifestyle, which is accompanied by heavy physical activity. These could be professional athletes, loaders or miners. Relevant for extreme sports enthusiasts, travelers and those who regularly visit the gym.
People over 35 years of age and strict vegetarians, whose diet lacks sources of glucosamine, are especially deficient in the substance. The risk group also includes patients who have been diagnosed with joint diseases of an infectious autoimmune nature. Timely prevention helps to avoid the destruction of cartilage tissue, which means keeping joints healthy and mobile.
Recommended Dosage of Glucosamine Sulfate
Our diet generally does not contain any significant food sources of glucosamine, so it is necessary to obtain it from dietary supplements . In dietary supplement form, it is primarily made from chitin, the hard shells of shrimp, lobsters, and crabs . However, there are other forms of glucosamine available for people with shellfish allergies.
Shellfish allergy: Some types of glucosamine sulfate are made from shrimp, lobster, or crab shellfish. Therefore, there is concern that these products may cause allergic reactions in people with shellfish allergies. However, such allergic reactions are usually caused by shellfish meat.
Glucosamine for joints: what is this substance?
Articular cartilage
– a smooth and durable fabric that acts as a shock absorber pillow. It prevents bones from rubbing against each other, reduces pressure during movement, and consists of 60-65% water.
Glucosamine
– a monosaccharide that is contained and accumulates in the connective tissue of the musculoskeletal system, making it stronger and more elastic. The body mainly uses its reserves to form cartilage cells and maintain joint ligaments. In other words, it is a building material for cartilage. Its highest concentration is found in mollusk shells, bones and bone marrow of animals. All shells and shells of crustaceans are also sources of glucosamine. It is usually made from the chitinous shells of crabs, lobsters, shrimp and crayfish.
