Do you know whats Glucosamine ?
I use to think that I was invincible, training as hard and nothing in the world will hurt me, friends of the same age would tell me that they are hurting in the knee,this joints – that joint etc..etc.. I would smirk and think to myself maybe they are training wrongly? training to hard ? wrong shoes? etc…etc.. and BOY WAS I WRONG..
After thirty, a body has a mind of its own.
Bette MidlerAfter you’re older, two things are possibly more important than any others: health and money.
Helen Gurley Brown
All of us need nutritional health supplement, its to help us on boosting the ones that we don’t have enough. I use to be talking about Glucosamine to runners and cyclist and its health benefits. Do you know whats Glucosamine ? I went to read in-depth into Glucosamine because *I admit* my knees do feel pain if I am walking, but not when I am running.
Glucosamine, according to this website by University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) , It says that Glucosamine 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 osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when cartilage breaks down and is lost, either due to injury or to 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 recent ones have not found any positive effect from taking glucosamine. It’ s not clear why the studies have conflicting results, and 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 anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), for OA pain. In addition, some of these drugs can cause stomach upset, cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and in some cases, stomach ulcers and infertility.
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 element 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 arthritis (containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and manganese) have more than that. Read labels carefully, and consider choosing a supplement without manganese.
Glucosamine hydrochloride has been reported to be better absorbed by the body.
Side Effects of Glusosamine:
While there are almost no side effects of glucosamine, here’s what you need to know:
- If you are allergic to shellfish you should consult your physician before using glucosamine products. Glucosamine is derived from shellfish.
- If you are pregnant or lactating you should consult your physician before beginning to take glucosamine.
- Glucosamine sulfate may increase the risk of developing insulin resistance and could decrease the metabolic actions of insulin. Although glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are biochemically classed as carbohydrates (sugars), the body is not able to break them down into glucose, so these compounds do not raise blood sugar by providing an additional source of glucose. However, many factors can affect insulin secretion and blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, and we recommend that individuals with diabetes check their blood glucose levels frequently when initiating glucosamine into their regimen.
- High dosages of glucosamine may cause gastric problems, nausea , diarrhea, indigestion, and heartburn. Glucosamine should be taken with meals to help avoid these problems.
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