Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Side Effects

By Amy Clark

Your body manufactures a natural substance called Glucosamine which is made from glucose and glutamine (an amino acid). Glucosamine might also be described as an amino sugar synthesized from glucose and L-glutamine.

Glucosamine is also known by a number of other names, like for example: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine.

Glycosaminoglycan, on the other hand, is a molecule that is vital in the formation or restoration of your cartilage and various other tissues. At some point when you grow older, your Glycosaminoglycan production decreases, and consequently bloating and swelling your joints.

Glucosamine with chondroitin serve as building blocks of your cartilage and your connective tissues. Glucosamine supplements are natural substances that occur naturally in shellfish harvests.

Glucosamine is often mixed with chondroitin to manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). Medical research has proven that this combination is successful in osteoporosis treatment and gradually restoring or improving bone function.

Glucosamine Chondroitin: Potential Side Effects

By and large, nearly all supplements have their own risks for negative side effects. Glucosamine and Chondroitin have demonstrated remarkable results in clinical trials, with most patients reporting no side effects.

Nonetheless, in some remote cases, some people may encounter a small rise in blood pressure, uneasiness, breathing difficulties, rashes, mild headaches, nausea, and an upset stomach or gastrointestinal pains.

One common side effect of glucosamine-chondroitin supplements is soft stools and higher intestinal gas, but this is very rare. Clinical trials using animals reveal that glucosamine may decrease insulin levels, which can lead to diabetes. Even though this has not been documented in human tests, diabetic patients are strongly advised to exercise caution and closely monitor their blood sugar levels when using glucosamine supplements.

Additionally, individuals who are using blood thinners or aspirins must consult their doctor before deciding to use these supplements. Likewise, pregnant women or those who want to get pregnant must also seek a physician's advice, because the impact of glucosamine on a developing fetus is yet unknown. Children and women who are breast feeding should also stay away from glucosamine entirely.

Currently, different medical studies continue to evaluate and assess the long-term results of glucosamine chondroitin supplements. All things considered, while their long-term repercussions are still not known, most specialists agree that the combined benefits of glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate in OA treatment are more important than any potential risks for side effects.

Glucosamine with chondroitin is quite possibly the single most powerful supplement for maintaining, protecting, and lubricating the joints. Furthermore, glucosamine helps limit joint movement and consequently delay joint cartilage damage. Several studies have documented the effectiveness of glucosamine in pain management and treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis, though such outcomes were not instantly perceived. Moreover, Glucosamine is also proven to lessen inflammation of the joints and inhibit some harmful enzymes that may damage the joint cartilage, though further studies on this aspect are needed. - 15343

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