Does Glucosamine Help? Recent Studies Give a Resounding Yes

Author : Jack Russel 

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease which involves the continuous breakdown of cartilage, the cushion between the joints that enable pain-free and flexible movement. It affects mostly adults above 40 years of age but may start manifesting itself earlier in a person's life. Experience of a joint-affecting injury, dehydration, lack of nutrition and activity, obesity, and even a hereditary inclination to joint disease or an abnormality in joint structures are just some causes of osteoarthritis.

Cartilage in the joints becomes damage as a result of everyday wear and tear. In osteoarthritis, cartilage is unable to repair itself as it undergoes a series of breakdowns due to stress. As cartilage wear off, so does chains of proteoglycans, that store essential fluids such as water which lubricates the joints. When this happens, the possibility of bone rubbing against bone becomes more probable. Pain results from the friction that occurs when connected bones rub against one another due to worn out cartilage that is no longer able to function well.

The old approach to osteoarthritis is to address the pain brought about the disease. Most think that when the pain goes away, osteoarthritis has been cured. That is why people resort to over the counter medicines and prescriptions such as NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and ketaprofen, which allegedly produce instant pain relief. However, what most people do not know is that serious side effects can be incurred through the intake of NSAIDs. Also, as pain from osteoarthritis gets more severe, a higher dosage of NSAIDs is required to address the pain thereby only perpetrating the condition rather than assisting in the cause and treatment. Ointments are also employed to achieve pain reduction.

How does glucosamine help? Glucosamine in conjunction with chondroitin helps in the production of essential joint components such as proteoglycans that trap molecules of water in the joints. It is a necessary building block of healthy cartilage in joints. As a matter of fact, glucosamine is a naturally-occurring molecule in the body. But as we grow older, production of natural glucosamine in the body is hampered. . Intake of glucosamine supplements has been shown to enhance the production of glucosamine in the body. Chondroitin sulfate on the other hand, enables joint components to hold necessary lubricants in the cartilage. Moreover, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate work together to inhibit destructive enzymes that hastens the degeneration of healthy cartilages therefore slowing down the progress of osteoarthritis.