Joint Pain Remedies » kirkland glucosamine

Glucosamine Research

admin — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:17:01 +0000

There has been a lot of recent research on Glucosamine and its effective in treating osteoarthritis. It must be noted, that there has not yet been a long term study completed, and thus, Glucosamine is still only recommended as a nutritional supplement.

The most recent, and probably the most important research that has been conducted to date on Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplementation is the Glucosamine/ Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT). GAIT was the first large scale study to take place that looks at the effect of long term (6 month) Glucosamine and Chondroitin intervention program for sufferers of knee osteoarthritis. This study was double blinded, meaning neither the researchers or the participants knew which group they were in. The groups were

glucosamine alone
chondroitin alone
glucosamine and chondroitin
celecoxib (anti inflammatory drug)
placebo

To record a positive response to treatment, a 20% or greater reduction in pain at week 24 had to be reported. These were the doses given to the groups (hence the current reccomendation in the supplementation page).

Glucosamine alone: 1500 mg daily given as 500 mg three times a day
Chondroitin sulfate alone: 1200 mg daily given as 400 mg three times a day
Glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate combined: same doses-1500 mg and 1200 mg daily
Celecoxib: 200 mg daily

So what were the results of this study?

Participants taking the positive control, celecoxib, experienced statistically significant pain relief versus placebo, about 70 percent of those taking celecoxib had a 20 percent or greater reduction in pain versus about 60 percent for placebo.
Overall, there were no significant differences between the other treatments tested and placebo.
For a subset of participants with moderate-to-severe pain, glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate provided statistically significant pain relief compared with placebo–about 79 percent had a 20 percent or greater reduction in pain versus about 54 percent for placebo. According to the researchers, because of the small size of this subgroup these findings should be considered preliminary and need to be confirmed in further studies.
For participants in the mild pain subset, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate together or alone did not provide statistically significant pain relief.

What does that mean?

This study suggests if you have moderate to severe pain from cartilage degeneration, glucosamine and chondroitin taken together will significantly reduce pain and symptoms, having very similar effects to that of an anti inflammatory drug. However, as with all glucosamine studies up until now, more study is needed before Glucosamine will be accepted as something more than a nutritional supplement.

There has been much research done on the effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. The above study is the gold standard, the most recent, and the longest. They are currently in the process of completely an even longer term study.

Liquid Glucosamine

admin — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:16:11 +0000

There is a lot of conjecture over this issue. Should we take liquid or capsule form? The general thought is that liquid form will be absorbed better by the body, thus yielding better results. This is true to an extent. Liquid going into the body will be absorbed faster and more effectively by the digestive system, however capsules are now a lot more effective than they have been in the past. There have been advancements made in capsule coatings which allow for a timed release. Meaning the contents of the capsule have been protecting until they have passed through the stomach, which is highly acidic. What is more important than looking at whether the product is liquid or capsule, is actually seeing what is inside the product. Some joint supplements only contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin, whereas some have other added ingredients. Some have a higher grade Glucosamine in them, and some are natural. This is what is important when looking for the best supplement.

Also to be taken into consideration, and perhaps the most important thing as mentioned above, is the right amount of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Capsule forms are also generally cheaper. So in summary, yes liquid will be absorbed better, the ideal glucosamine plus supplement would be a liquid one. However you will still get very good results from a capsule form, and it is smarter to take a capsule that meets all the requirements than a liquid form that is somewhat lacking. Glucosamine gel is the least effective way to take it.

Glucosamine 1500mg

admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:14:41 +0000

Glucosamine is often combined with another supplement, Chondroitin. It is a naturally occurring compound found in cartilage. It is thought to promote joint health by stopping the effects of damaging enzymes, increasing water retention, and enhancing the elastic properties of cartilage. The general recommended dosage of glucosamine is 1500 mg. Studies that have been done show that the effects of Glucosamine 1500 mg are much more pronounced when taken in conjunction with Chondroitin. We recommend you find products that have both in them, rather than buying two separate products.

What Is Glucosamine & Chondroitin?

Glucosamine is a sugar that occurs naturally in the body. It is a building block of cartilage which is what covers and protects your bones at the end where they form the joints. This allows your joint to move smoothly against each other. It can come in two forms, glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamine supplements are mostly made from crab, lobster or shrimp shells and are readily available in a tablet form or a liquid form. Chondroitin is another substance that is found naturally in the body and it is believed to help draw water and nutrients into the cartilage, which works with the glucosamine to keep it spongy and healthy. It is made from bovine or shark cartilage.

How Can Glucosamine 1500 mg Help?

Well, the generally thought is that these supplements, in particular glucosamine plus, are very useful for osteoarthritis because it helps rebuild the cartilage. At the minimum it actually makes what is there more spongy so it can take more shock absorption. It is also shown to slow the breakdown of cartilage.

Why 1500 mg?

As Glucosamine complex is recommended as a nutritional supplement in the USA, not as a prescription drug, there is some debate over what values will serve the best results for joint pain. Currently it is thought that an initial dose of 1500mg of Glucosamine, and 1200mg of Chondroitin daily will yield the best results.This dose should be carried through for about 2 months. If pain has eased and a response is felt, the dose can be reduced to 1000mg of Glucosamine and 800mg of Chondroitin. Look for products with these values for best effectiveness.

Glucosamine Side Effects

admin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:12:52 +0000

Minimal side effects have been noted in very few reports. These include skin rashes, headaches, downiness and mild stomach symptoms such as diarrhoea and flatulence. The long-term effects from use of glucosamine are not yet know. People who are allergic to the chitin in shellfish should be wary, Glucosamine is generally extracted from shellfish to make the supplement. Consult your doctor if you are allergic. Children, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using glucosamine complex, as the effects are not known in these populations. Check with your doctor if you have impaired glucose intolerance or are diabetic before using Glucosamine plus as a supplement.

Who Needs Glucosamine?

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:11:42 +0000

It is most commonly used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition, and has been proven effective. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage in a joint. Cartilage serves as a cushion in the joint. A common prescribed treatment for osteoarthritis are anti-inflammatory drugs. These are reported to have many side effects and they treat the pain and the swelling. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance in the body and it will address the underlying problem of joint degeneration and promote joint health. It is beneficial for anyone with cartilage related joint discomfort.

Many athletes suffer joint pain. Repetitive stress on the joints, in particular the knee, can cause cartilage degeneration. Where there is degeneration, there is pain. The cartilage protects the joint, it is basically a shock absorber. If this absorption is not there, swelling, pain and a poor range of motion will be evident. Glucosamine has been reported to reduce these symptoms and aid athletes and sports-people. There is the opinion that taking Glucosamine as a preventative measure is a passive way to help ward off osteoarthritis experienced by many athletes later in life, and that all athletes should do it. There is little evidence either way that Glucosamine can be used as athletes for prevention of osteoarthritis, but there are very little side effects, and many positive reports.

Glucosamine: What Is It?

admin — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:07:19 +0000

Glucosamine is used by millions of people around the world suffering from joint pain and osteoarthritis. It is shown to be effective in aiding rehabilitation, renewal and the repair of joints. Approximately 12 million Europeans and 8 million Americans take Glucosamine as a supplement, but very little know exactly what it is, and why it benefits them.

What is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a popular supplementation recommended to many joint pain sufferers around the globe. Glucosamine is made naturally in the body and is found in healthy cartilage. It consists of glucose and the amino acid glutamine. Glycosaminoglycan is a molecule used during cartilage formation and repair, and Glucosamine is needed to produce this. As we age, our production of glucosamine slows down, thus becoming more at risk to cartilage problems. Glucosamine supplementation addresses the underlying problem associating with joint degeneration.

In supplement form, Glucosamine plus is often combined with chondroitin sulfate, a molecule that is present in cartilage. It gives cartilage elasticity and is believed to help prevent the destruction of cartilage. These two combined leads to maximum absorption of the Glucosamine and a more effective treatment. When using Glucosamine complex, it is recommended that Chondroitin be taken at the same time. Most products now come with Chondroitin in the ingredients. Research on Glucosamine and Chondroitin has shown encouraging evidence that these supplements can provide help with treating osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration problems. It has been found that glucosamine gel is the least effective.