Glucosamine is a substance produced naturally in the body from a sugar (glucose) and an amino acid (glutamine). As well as contributing to the formation of joint building blocks (glycosaminoglycans) needed to make cartilage, tendons, ligaments and joint fluid, it acts as a biological signal to switch on the repair of these tissues, and to suppress inflammation and the breakdown of cartilage. Its production declines with age, contributing to joint deterioration. Research suggests that supplementing a healthy diet with glucosamine could help to ease achy joints and stiffness.
Our bodies naturally make glucosamine as part of its way of keeping our joints lubricated and flexible for maximum mobility. Glucosamine is needed to react with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to eventually produce Hyaluronic Acid, which is a glycosaminoglycan. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in cartilage, tendons, ligaments and synovial fluid around the joints. It helps with elasticity. Hyaluronic acid is unique among glycosaminoglycans in that it is nonsulfated, and can be very large, with its molecular weight often reaching the millions. It is one of the main components of the extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix provides structural support to animal cells. The extracellular matrix is the most important feature of connective tissue in animals.
Arthritis
As some people get older they develop a degenerative condition known as osteoarthritis which is characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling of the joints and a general inability to move about easily. The condition, which is irreversible, is caused by the deterioration and eventual loss of bone cartilage, the soft connective tissue that protects joints and keeps bones from directly rubbing against each other. Some studies suggest that most people over 60 have osteoarthritis though the severity of the symptoms can vary greatly among individuals. Arthritis affects nearly 70 million Americans.
Relieving arthritis with glucosamine
Numerous allopathic and natural remedies are touted as treatments for the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Among them are nutritional supplements based on a substance called Glucosamine. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring amino sugar in the body that plays a vital role in keeping cartilage and other body tissues healthy. As people get older their bodies start producing less glucosamine. This gradual diminishing of glucosamine causes the bone cartilage to lose some of its elasticity and become stiff and inflexible, eventually resulting in osteoarthritis. Glucosamine supplements are designed to slow this process by compensating for the loss of the amino sugar that occurs with age. Glucosamine supplements are believed to help in the production of glycosaminoglycan, a molecule that helps repair and rebuild damaged cartilage.
Research
Although it has only been tracked since the early 80’s, research shows that it is generally safe for most people.
Though glucosamine along with chondroitin supplements have been fairly widely used for some time now, there is still considerable discussion about the extent of their effectiveness in treating osteoarthiritis. Previous clinical studies have suggested for instance that the effectiveness of a glucosamine supplement is dependent on whether it is a Glucosamine hydrochloride or Glucosamine Sulfate.
Glucosamine hydrocholride vs glucosamine sulfate
Some research suggests that Glucosamine sulfate is more effective at alleviating osteoarthritis symptoms because it is more bio-available, or most easily absorbed by the body compared to hydrochloride supplements. Other studies however suggest that Glucosamine hydrochloride supplements are more concentrated, and are absorbed more rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract than other Glucosamine supplements. A third school of thought holds that Glucosamine supplements are most effective only when they are taken along with chondroitin supplements.
Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT)
Sufferers of osteoarthritis who are looking for some clarity on the subject unfortunately have little to go by. The most solid research to date on the effectiveness of Glucosamine was conducted by the University of Utah, School of Medicine on behalf of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study, which was called Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), was designed to test the short-term effectiveness of Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in reducing pain associated with osteoarthritis.
The study of 1583 patients suggested that patients with moderate to severe pain did indeed obtain statistically significant pain relief when they took Glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate. The results were somewhat less clear in the case of osteoarthritis suffers with only moderate pain. The NIH study however looked only at the effectiveness of Glucosamine hydrochloride supplements and not Glucosamine Sulfate based ones.
Meanwhile, a much earlier three-year clinical study conducted in the Prague Institute of Rheumatology, showed Glucosamine Sulfate to be effective in slowing the progression of knee osteoarthritis. The results of this study were very similar to those from a previous clinical study investigating the effectiveness of Glucosamine sulfate. What appears less clear though is the effectiveness of Glucosamine when it is taken by itself. The GAIT study for instance, showed that Glucosamine alone fared little better than a placebo in relieving osteoarthritis symptoms.
Where can I find a good quality form of Glucosamine?
GMC2 Liquid from Osumex which is a high quality liquid glucosamine complex (hydrochloride and sulphate) containing MSM, Chondroitin, an amazing Collagen blend of bioavailable amino acids and other natural ingredients. It is formulated to soothe sore aching joints, maintain joint flexibility, stimulate cartilage growth and reduce inflammation of existing joint tissues.
MSM is a powerful anti-inflammatory and soothes the sore swollen muscles and connective tissues which are the main causes of pain. In liquid form the absorption rate is significantly higher than that of powder or tablets. It contains no artificial colouring such as blue dye, artificial sweetener such as sucralose or Spenda or any artificial flavours. Instead it uses natural grape concentrates and grape skin extract for the human version and apple and pear concentrates for the pet version. The Collagen blend of amino acids have been proven to generate faster and more effective beneficial results which will be within weeks instead of months.
GMC2 is even more effective for supporting joint health and easing joint pain when used with Osumex 100% Pure Antarctic Krill Oil due to the highly bioavailability of the Omega-3 in the krill oil.
What real life users of GMC2 are saying
Email from a UK User:
I don't do testimonials, but this has made my knee livable with for 3 years now.
Ask not what you did for me yesterday, what will you do for me tomorrow, they say.
Regards
Ken Lewsey
"... I do think the inflammation is coming down, at least some of the pain. Remember I have a leg torn in a bad accident and I subject my body to torture in the name of fun. This is not normal use but yet I can stand up to it and I know when off everything when I waited for the product the pain/inflammation was becoming bad, very difficult to sleep after I trained. That pain really has subsided. It must be working...
It must be working as I remember I had trouble driving home from the races because of the pain. It was nearly impossible for me to lift my knee up and down during driving. that doesn't bother me now. The pain would radiate across the lower portion of the knee and down the front of my leg. It was agony driving home. Nada now."
Ms Janis Milliken D.V.M., MS, DACVPM - June 11, 2009 - Ontario, Canada
Ms Milliken is a practising vet and a triathlon participant on a regular basis - placed first in HSBC Triathlon in pic
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