Glucosamine
Definition
Glucosamine is a natural compound found in the
human body, specifically anamino monosaccharide (a
nitrogen-containing sugar). It is thought to possibly play
a role in cartilage formation and repair and to perhaps
have an anti-inflammatory affect within humans.
Glucosamine is also known as 2-amino-2-deoxy-
glucose; 2-amino-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose; and
chitosamine. The chemical symbol for glucosamine
is C 6 H 13 NO 5. It is sold as a nutritional or dietary
supplement in three forms: glucosamine hydrochlo-
ride (glucosamine HCl), glucosamine sulfate, and
N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG). Within scientific stud-
ies, there appears to be no difference between the three
forms with regards to their effectiveness.
Glucosamine is found is various forms when it is
sold commercially. Some of these forms include cap-
sules (500 milligrams [mg], 550 mg, 750 mg, and 1,000
mg), liquid (500 mg per five milliliters), tablets (340
mg, 500 mg, and 1,000 mg), and powder.
Purpose
When taken as an oral supplement, glucosamine is
sometimes used in the treatment of a type of arthritis
called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is considered the
largest and most widely occurring type of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease,
is caused by deterioration or loss of cartilage at one or
more joints of the body. The symptoms range from
mild pain and stiffness to complete loss of use of the
joint, and may or may not have an identifiable cause.
Unlike the less common rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-
arthritis is not marked by inflammation. While osteo-
arthritis is commonly associated with overweight,
cartilage deterioration can be caused by excessive
wear and tear on the joints, which may be due to
excessive physical exercise or exertion. People aged
60 years or older often have osteoarthritis. According
to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion (CDC), over 21 million people in the United
States annually suffer with osteoarthritis.
The use of glucosamine in osteoarthritis therapy
seems to be considered generally safe among medical
professionals. However, it is not completely accepted
within the medical community as being effective for
osteoarthritis treatment. In the United States, the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not
approved the use of glucosamine for medical use
within humans. It is classified as a dietary supplement
so FDA approval is not needed as long as companies
do not advertise it as a treatment for a medical con-
dition. Instead, in the United States, glucosamine is a
widely popular alternative medicine for the relief of
joint pain. In Europe, however, the glucosamine-form
glucosamine sulfate is approved as a medical drug.
Besides osteoarthritis, glucosamine is also used to
relieve symptoms of leg pain, rheumatoid arthritis,
inflammatory bowel disease(such as ulcerative colitis
andCrohn’s disease), and temporomandibular joint
(TMJ) disorders. Scientific results show some positive
evidence for the effective use of glucosamine with
osteoarthritis; however, the scientific evidence is
much more unclear for the other diseases.DescriptionGlucosamine is taken from animal tissue, specifi-
cally from the shells of crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.
Within these shellfish, glucosamine is made naturally in
the form of glucosamine-6-phosphate, which eventually
makes glycosaminoglycans, among other substances.
Since glucosamine-6-phosphatehelps to regulate the pro-
duction of joint cartilage and glycosaminoglycans are a
major component of cartilage, glucosamine may help to
rebuild cartilage and treat arthritis. Whether these glu-
cosamine processes could be involved in human arthritis
remains undecided in the medical community. Not all
medical professional believe glucosamine is effectiveGlucosamine sulfate capsules.(ªEnvision/Corbis. Reproduced
by permission.)Glucosamine