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Glucosamine Fact sheet
I suggest to all my clients with arthritic pain to try glucosamine for at least 6 weeks. At the moment, almost 95 percent of my regular clients have told me that they have found it beneficial, with symptoms improving from week one onwards - although most will report some improvements from 2- 4 weeks, the majority of benefit being from 4-6 weeks onwards.
After what may seem a life sentence of pain - please try glucosamine - after a few weeks you will know whether or not it is making a difference - a small price to pay for a major change in quality of life.
Tablet or liquid? Side effects Dosage Arthritis Resource Centre
Glucosamine Sulphate is a joint lubrication and cartilage-building nutritional supplement that helps rebuild damaged joints, tendons, cartilage and soft tissue. Unlike pharmaceutical products that offer only symptomatic relief, glucosamine sulphate helps not only to reduce pain and inflammation, but also directly combats osteoarthritis by aiding normal repair and regeneration of ligaments, the fluid that surrounds joints (synovial fluid), tendons, joint and bone repair, and helping improve connective tissue elasticity.
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In short-term controlled trials, glucosamine has been reported to be effective in relieving pain and increasing range of motion in patients with osteoarthritis (McCarty 1994). |
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One four-week double-blind trial in 252 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee found oral glucosamine sulphate 500 mg three times a day (1500 mg) more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms (Noack 1994). |
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Another four-week double-blind trial in 200 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee found 500 mg three times a day of glucosamine sulphate as effective in relieving symptoms as ibuprofen from the second week onward (Muller-Fassbender 1994). |
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In a double-blind eight week study in 40 patients with osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulphate 500 mg three times a day orally was as effective as ibuprofen 400 mg three times a day in relieving pain after the first two weeks, and by the end of the trial was more effective (Vas 1982). |
In
all reports, the drug was generally well tolerated. Gastrointestinal discomfort
and nausea have been reported, but the incidence was no higher than with a placebo.
Glucosamine is available in pharmacies and health food
stores and is sometimes combined with chondroitin sulphate - a glycosaminoglycan
that has been reported to maintain viscosity in joints, stimulate cartilage
repair mechanisms and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage (Pipitone 1991).
Side effects
There are very few side effects with either of the above supplements and
Glucosamine and chondroitin have been used for over 20 years in Europe without
any complication. They can also be used with other supplements without
fear of adverse interaction.
Dosage Recommended dosage varies 400 mg to 1500 mg daily - there is little clinical evidence to support that anything less than 1000 mg daily an effective dose.
The general view (supported by Theodosakis (1997, p53) is at least an initial dose of at least 1200 mg Glucosamine sulphate (with or without 1200 mg Chondroitin sulphate) for the average adult in order to quickly build up to an effective therapeutic level. Aspirin can supplement treatment for the first week if necessary to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Note: Not all glucosamine and chondroitin products are the same quality. Some are intended for animal or pet consumption and might not be passed fit for humans.
Most glucosamine supplements are in tablet form. Because the initial dose needs to be high (1200 mg), this may mean that you will need to be taking very large tablets, or several smaller doses per day. Tablets also have the disadvantage of slower absorption as they pass through the digestive tract. The 'fillers' used to form the tablets can also cause gastric problems, particularly in the stomach.
Side effects from trials report occasional gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea - consequently there may be an argument to support the liquid use of glucosamine to speed absorption and minimise gastric disturbances.
Liquid form has the advantage of being already broken down into smaller particles in suspension thus easier to absorb, without having to stimulate excessive secretion of acid in the stomach. It can also pass more quickly through the digestive tract and be more quickly and easily absorbed.
For more information on glucosamine and osteoarthritis, visit the Arthritis Resource Centre which offers free information, fact sheets, regular newsletters and product reviews, as well as supplying glucosamine and chondroitin in liquid form.
References
McCarty M F (1994) The neglect of glucosamine as a treatment
for osteoarthritis: A personal perspective. Medical Hypotheses 42:323
Muller-Fassbender H (1994) Glucosamine sulphate compared to ibuprofen in
osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2:6
Noack W (1994) Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2:5
Pipitone V R (1991) Chondroprotection with chondroitin sulphate. Drugs
Experimental and Clinical Research 17:3
Theodosakis J,. Adderly B, Fox B (1997) The Arthritis Cure London: Century Books
Vas A L (1982) Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of
ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthritis of the
knee is outpatients. Current Medical Research and Opinion 8: 145
IMPORTANT This
fact sheet is for information only. Consult
your GP if you are worried about arthritis or are presently under treatment and
receiving medication for any medical condition.
Jane Ellwood Dip(HE) RNLD MISPA
Email jane@aromacaring.co.uk
www.aromacaring.co.uk
2002-2004