Glucosamine

Janet had been suffering from osteoarthritis for almost half a decade. The crippling pain had devastated her life. The doctors, on their part had done everything that was possible including trying out various medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, but to no avail. That is when Dr. Watson, an expert in arthritis suggested the use of glucosamine.

But what is glucosamine and how does it aid in relieving arthritis?

Glucosamine is a medical compound that is found in human bodies. It is found in abundance in healthy cartilages. In fact, in a human body, it occurs in a compound form called glucosamine sulfate.

The cartilages present in a human body are also filled with cartilage matrix and synovial fluid. Glucosamine is a chief constituent of both of these substances.

Functions of Glucosamine:

Glucosamine is naturally produced by the body. The substance is also found in certain vegetables It is a form of amino sugar and plays an important role in the formation of cartilages. Glucosamine helps in the healing and the repair process of the cartilages and stimulates the formation of glycosaminoglycans, a kind of protein found in the cartilages as well as proteoglycans, substance that is vital in the formation of the cartilages.

Rise of Glucosamine:

Glucosamine is one of the most recommended substances commonly recommended to arthritis sufferers. But why is that glucosamine is so highly regarded by the medical fraternity? For this we will have to wind back the clock.

The conventional medicines were not proving effective in relieving the unbearable pain suffered by many of the arthritis sufferers. Hence, researchers came up with NSAIDs [Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs]. Soon patients were asked to consume drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs quickly became a favorite as they proved to be an effective remedy to cure the pain.

However, research proved that NSAIDs could trigger off undesirable effects in a human body if consumed for a long time. Studies revealed that long time consumption could lead to negative side effects such as bleeding of the stomach, damage to the lower digestive tract, liver failure etc. And as the bodies got acclimatize to the medicine, the dosage had to be increased to curb the severity of the pain. It also inhibited COX 1, a non-specific molecule that was crucial in the proper functioning of digestion and clotting of the blood.

Hence, many medical practitioners started prescribing COX 2. However, the high cost of these medicines discouraged many from consuming it. And they were adept only at curing the pain and did not provide relief from other symptoms observed in patients suffering from arthritis. Hence, COX 2 soon fell out of favor.

It was under these circumstances that Glucosamine entered the world.

Benefits of Glucosamine:

Glucosamine scores heavily over other medications such as NSAIDs that are commonly recommended for patients afflicted with arthritis.

Some of the benefits associated with glucosamine are:

Natural substance: Since glucosamine is naturally produced in the body the side effects are less than many medicines. The ingestion of glucosamine is considered a much more healthy and safer option by many belonging to the medical fraternity. Glucosamine is extracted from natural sources; thus, the body tends to react to it favorably.

Natural functions: Glucosamine taken orally performs all the functions that are associated with glucosamine that is naturally produced by the body. Hence, it aids in the formation of cartilages, tendons etc and at the same time prevents the formation of enzymes and chemicals that can cause harm to the cartilages.

Shock-absorbers: Studies have revealed that in persons afflicted with osteoarthritis, there is a notable absence of cartilages- the protein tissues that act as a cushion between two bones and pave the way for a smooth movement between bones present in a joint. Glucosamine prevents the breakage of cartilages as well as the loss of flexibility. It also prevents the inflammation of the joints.

Cost-effective: Glucosamine dosages are cheap and this makes them cost effective form of treatment for arthritis.

All round solution: Glucosamine not only provides relief from the pain but also works to build and protect the cartilages. Thus, it provides manifold benefits. It also slows the progress of osteoarthritis by keeping the cartilages in a healthy form.

Suitability of Glucosamine:

Glucosamine is mostly recommended for those suffering from knee osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis in general. Sometimes it is also recommended to those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Most doctors suggest a daily dose of 1,500 mg a day. However, medical practitioners state that glucosamine should not be consumed by:

Pregnant women or those who are on the verge of pregnancy
Those having a history of diabetes
Those taking aspirin
Those who are allergic to shellfish as it is one of the sources from which glucosamine is extracted.

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