Glucosamine hydrochloride is possibly safe for most adults when used for up to 2 years. N-acetyl glucosamine is also possibly safe when used for up to 6 months. Glucosamine can cause some mild side effects including bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
Because glucosamine products might be derived from the shells of shellfish, there is concern that the supplement could cause an allergic reaction in people with shellfish allergies. Glucosamine might worsen asthma. There's some concern that glucosamine might raise eye pressure.
It is OK to take glucosamine every day, but check with your healthcare provider. For example, with osteoarthritis, the following doses have been studied: By mouth: 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day, taken either at once, in two doses of 750 mg, or in three doses of 500 mg.
Glucosamine appears to be safe, even when taken for a few years. Side effects may include: Constipation. Diarrhea.
“There are some studies that show improved joint flexibility and range of motion with glucosamine sulfate,” says Farshad Fani Marvasti, MD, MPH, director of Public Health, Prevention, and Health Promotion at The University of Arizona. “That's the one I would take if you're going to take it for joint stiffness.”
Glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3, and green tea are just a few of them. Glucosamine has been touted as an anti-inflammatory that helps keep the cartilage in joints healthy. Studies have shown some benefit for joint pain, but they are not conclusive. Natural glucosamine levels drop as people age.
Conclusion. In summary, collagen and glucosamine are both essential compounds for maintaining healthy joints, bones, and skin. While collagen provides structural support to the body's connective tissues, glucosamine plays a crucial role in the formation of healthy cartilage.
Glucosamine hydrochloride is possibly safe for most adults when used for up to 2 years. N-acetyl glucosamine is also possibly safe when used for up to 6 months. Glucosamine can cause some mild side effects including bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
Reported improvement (e.g. reduction in painful symptoms) varies from three weeks to as much as eight weeks. Some studies have shown continued improvement of symptoms after oral intake was stopped. Generally, if there is no pain reduction after two months, there is little chance of improvement.
You can take glucosamine at any time during this that feels most convenient for you. There is some opinion that drinking in the morning is best. There are some people who like to drink them with meals. Others prefer to drink them on an empty stomach with a glass or two of water.
Glucosamine has been implicated in isolated case reports in causing clinically apparent liver injury, but the role of glucosamine as opposed to other herbal components or contaminants has not been shown, and liver injury due to glucosamine or chondroitin must be very rare if it occurs at all.
Glucosamine seems to be safe for people on blood pressure medication. In clinical studies, blood pressure was the same in participants taking glucosamine and placebo. However, some people taking glucosamine have been reported to have increased blood pressure.
While there is no direct evidence linking glucosamine to weight gain, some studies have suggested that it may contribute to increased appetite and calorie intake. Additionally, glucosamine supplements often contain added ingredients, such as chondroitin and MSM, which can also contribute to weight gain.
In fact, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recommends people don't take either glucosamine or chondroitin supplements for osteoarthritis.
If you're allergic to shellfish, you should make sure that you take the shellfish-free variety. You should also be cautious about taking glucosamine if you have diabetes. Glucosamine might increase your blood sugar level and it may mean that you need to adjust your treatment to make sure it carried on working.
Although glucosamine is unlikely to raise cholesterol levels in most people and is generally considered safe, keep in mind that, in some people, it can cause an allergic reaction, increase eye pressure, and have an anti-coagulant effect.
Dietary Sources
There are no major food sources of glucosamine, so you must get it from supplements. Most supplements are made from chitin, the hard outer shells of shrimp, lobsters, and crabs. Other forms of glucosamine are available for people who are allergic to shellfish.
If you are considering glucosamine, as your next supplement, you should be aware that it can cause weight gain and aid in weight loss but not entirely on its own! While taking glucosamine, significant changes to your weight can also be based on your eating habits and diet.
No serious side effects have been reported in large, well-conducted studies of people taking glucosamine, chondroitin, or both for up to 3 years. However, glucosamine or chondroitin may interact with the anticoagulant (blood-thinning) drug warfarin (Coumadin).
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are well absorbed by the molecules that make up cartilage. They are not available from food. It is not uncommon to have to take these supplements indefinitely to continue to experience relief.
In most studies on treating osteoarthritis, the typical dose was 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate, three times a day. Ask your doctor what they recommend for you. Some experts suggest you take it with meals to prevent an upset stomach.
Chondroitin is believed to enhance the shock-absorbing properties of collagen and block enzymes that break down cartilage. Like glucosamine, this supplement is thought to help cartilage retain water, keep joints lubricated, and possibly reverse cartilage loss.
Research suggests that certain herbal and other supplements may help reduce arthritis pain and improve function, especially when you use them along with traditional arthritis treatments. Fish oil, SAM-e and curcumin are among the supplements with the best evidence to support them.
No interactions were found between Glucosamine & Chondroitin with MSM and multivitamin with minerals. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.