Glucosamine - The arthritis cure?
Glucosamine sulphate has been around a long time now and as each
year goes by more and more claims are made telling us about this
miracle joint lubricant. Are all the claims true? Will it cure
Arthritis? What is Glucosamine anyway? And what about
Chondroitin?
Glucosamine is a naturally produced amino sugar which is found
in small amounts in foods. It plays an important role in
maintaining the cartilage gel-like material between our joints.
The body also produces a carbohydrate called Chondroitin, which
is thought to promote water retention and elasticity as well as
blocking the enzymes that break down cartilage.
As we get older the body's ability to manufacture and synthesize
Glucosamine and Chondroitin decreases. This probably contributes
to the joint problems we have all come to associate with growing
old, a fact that health food companies did not take long to
latch on to.
Although studies have been carried out in numerous countries to
try to prove conclusively that Glucosamine is effective in
treating arthritis and joint problems there have been an equal
number of questions raised about the methodology of many of
these studies. One such study, in Europe, took X-rays to measure
the size of the gap in the knee joint before and after taking
Glucosamine. Even though the results showed that the size of the
gap was significantly larger, in a group of people taking
Glucosamine compared to a group taking NSAIDs, critics said that
the study was not large enough to draw firm conclusions. They
also claimed the X-ray evidence was too difficult to interpret.
Many Vets and pet owners have been using Glucosamine to treat
joint problems in horses and dogs for a number of years now.
They swear by the effectiveness of this form of treatment for
their animals. While there is no placebo effect in animals it is
equally difficult to find well documented, and conclusive,
scientific evidence to confirm the effectiveness of Glucosamine.
While there might be limited good, accredited, scientific proof
as to the effectiveness of Glucosamine there is an abundance of
people as well as pet owners who swear by the effectiveness of
Glucosamine. Even though Glucosamine is often used in
combination with other supplements, or treatments, the general
feeling among most users is that it does help. Results of
empirical studies in various countries have shown that arthritis
sufferers report significant improvements when taking
Glucosamine supplements. The same is also true for people who
have other types of joint injuries or back problems. Some
countries now sanction Glucosamine as a treatment for people
with mild to moderately severe osteoarthritis.
To date no study has found any serious side effects from either
Glucosamine or Chondroitin when taken as a supplement in humans.
However people with diabetes are advised to keep a check on
their blood-sugar level. While there have been no reports of
allergic reactions to Glucosamine, since it's made from
shellfish shells, it may not be suitable for people with seafood
allergies. It may also increase a person's daily salt intake
level - something people with high blood pressure may want to
watch. Chondroitin on the other hand may sometimes cause
bleeding in people with bleeding disorders or taking
blood-thinning drugs. Like many supplements insufficient data is
available about the long term effects and hence it should be not
be taken by children, or pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
The United States Food and Drug Administration embarked on a
study involving 1500 people earlier in 2005 to determine the
effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin on people with arthritic
problems.
There are many claims that taking Glucosamine will slow and
possibly halt osteoarthritis-related damage to joints, speed
healing of strains and sprains, control back pain and help
promote healthy aging. Whether this is true or not, the overall
rhetorical evidence is probably stacked in favour of the use of
Glucosamine as a supplement - so maybe it's worth a try - for a
trial period anyway!
This information in this article should not be used to diagnose,
treat, or prevent any disease. You should always consult with
your health care professional especially relating suitability of
supplements or drugs and on all health matters that may require
diagnosis or medical attention.