Benefits of Glucosamine You've read about glucosamine in many e-Alerts. And you've heard about studies that show how this amino sugar helps many arthritis patients maintain healthy joints and cartilage. Now you can get some real-world insights about the from a Healthier Talk community forum thread that starts off with this question from an HSI member named McAlly: "Has anybody on this forum used it and how well did it work? My good friend swears by it." Klutz "Glucosamine has kept me from having knee replacement for a decade now. Every time I try to go off it, within three weeks I am limping and in pain. I go back on, and within three weeks my knees are fine again. "I've read it only works for fifty percent of those who try it. It has not helped my husband at all. I got lucky, and so did our aging Golden Retriever, who would have been put down about 3 years ago, were it not for glucosamine chews we give him. They make a huge difference, and he is not subject to placebo effect. My best friend's mom went from barely walking and limping around the house to fast walking three miles daily with glucosamine. "You've got a 50/50 chance of it working, and IMO, it's worth trying. Give it at least two months. One caution: Do not take it if you are allergic to shellfish." Gerry: "Like any nutrient, the effects depend on other conditions. If one is protein deficient, then glucosamine would just be used to make up other amino acids, instead of being used to repair joints. "Chondroitin may be compared to a chain of glucosamine molecules (though not all the 'links' are glucosamine). It does have to be digested. So again, whether the body uses it for joints or something else will depend on the overall nutrient status of the individual." Sally B.: "My sister was having severe joint pain in her knees and glucosamine did nothing for her, although when she tried MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), the pain was completely gone in less than two weeks. MSM is good for so many other reasons, too. I would recommend taking it along with the glucosamine." Cedarchest: "My brother and I are both taking 750 mg glucosamine sulfate daily, along with a good quality fish oil capsule twice daily. Neither of us can tolerate MSM for some reason; gives both of us an upset stomach but we aren't sure why." You can read more about glucosamine in the e-Alert "Latch on to the Affirmative" (3/6/06), available now in the e-Alert archives on our web site at www.hsibaltimore.com. Other topics being discussed this week in the Healthier Talk community forums include: - General Health Topics: Hospital use of vitamin C
- Cancer: Food for cancer
- Memory: Seeing is remembering
- Hearing: Ear infection
- Headaches: Anti-headache smoothie
- Allergies: Chemical sensitivity website
To join in with any of these discussions, just go to the HSI web site, choose "Forum," and add your own insights and comments about health, nutrition and natural treatments.
| 
