Glucosamine and Chrondroitin – The Research
The use of glucosamine supplements has increased dramatically over recent years. It is a rare natural therapy supplements that has supporters amongst western health care professionals as well as traditional practitioners. People suffering from chronic arthritic pain or joint pain caused by cartilage wear and tear are quick to endorse its use (particularly when used in conjunction with chrondroitin). However what does the credible research indicate about the use of glucosamine and chrondroitin supplements?
There have been a large number of research studies into glucosamine and chondroitin. The combined findings tend to indicate that either glucosamine or chondroitin is better than a placebo at reducing the pain of arthritis . However, there is no indication that they are any better than using anti-inflammatory medicaitons (although reduced side effects may be a good reason to consider using glucosamine.
What is Glucosamine and why might it be beneficial to our joints?
Most brands of glucosamine supplements are produced from chitin, a naturally occurring polymer found in the shells of particular shellfish. Chemically, it is an amino monosaccharide, synthesised from L-glutamine and glucose within the body. It is normally purchased in one of three forms namely, glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetyl-glucosamine and can be in the form of either a tablet or liquid supplement.
Very basically the argument for the use of glucosamine supplementation is that glucosamine is a critical compound present in proteoglycans which are large protein molecules that are known to provide cushioning benefits along with elasticity for connective tissues. With insufficient glucosamine available in our bodies then the ligaments, tendons and other tissues may not be able to be made properly and also there is the potential for excessive wear and tear for our joints.
Under normal circumstances it is believed we produce enough glucosamine from our diet to form the various building block compounds to produce the connective tissue and healthy cartilage. But either through reduced dietary intake or through the rate at which our bodies use glucosamine (because of activity, injury or age/chronic degradation), then a deficit can occur. When this arises then our bodies may not be able to produce sufficient glucosamine and joint pain can increase.Another hypothesis is that glucosamine may block the action of certain enzymes that may be indicated with osteoarthritis.
Research Results
Whilst there are the hypotheses how glucosamine may assist with the pain of osteoarthritis, there is no compelling evidence that it actually does repair cartilage or provide any supplementation to the synovial fluid. Critics tend to claim that any positive research findings may merely be the placebo effect at work.
There may well be some rationale behind the opinion that if people with osteoarthritis are deficient in some component of cartilage formation then replacing the missing proteins may be of benefit.
Much of the existing research is flawed and there are no definitive conclusions available from research reviews because of inadequate sample size, lacking research methodology, different dose sizes, and, in some case, direct conflict of interest with the manufacturers.
The conclusions of research reviews are inconclusive. Glucosamine may have some beneficial effect in lessening the pain of osteoarthritis. Whether it offers advantages over NSAIDs or Cox-2 inhibitors has yet to be determined along whether any benefits are the result of physiological changes or merely placebo effect. Some medical professionals advise that clients take glucosamine sulphate (possibly in combination with chrondroitin) for around 12 weeks. If there are no significant reductions in symptoms after this time period then there is probably no point in continuing the supplementation.
Despite the lack of conclusive proof regarding glucosamine, many health care professionals such as remedial massage therapists recommend its use as there is very little reason no to. There are a wide range of glucosamine products of wildly varying quality available in the shops so please read labels carefully and always consult your health care practitioner before commencing taking any glucosamine and/or chrondroitin supplements.