Glucosamine supplements for arthritis also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Joint pain is reported by 32% of U.S. adults, and increases with age reaching 50% prevalence among the elderly. Joint pain is slightly more prevalent among women (33%) than men (31%). The knee is the most common site of joint pain regardless of age or gender. Joint pain is associated with substantial activity limitation, work disability, and reduced quality of life. Adults with joint pain are more likely to report arthritis-attributable activity limitations, fair or poor health, inability to work, low sleep duration and psychological distress. Predictors of knee pain include older age, weight gain and obesity, and previous knee injury, with the combination of weight loss with exercise a well-recognized intervention to alleviate symptoms and improve function.
Glucosamine is a non-vitamin, non-mineral supplement widely used to relieve osteoarthritis and joint pain. In countries like the United States and Australia, it is a popular dietary supplement and approximately 20% of adults consume it daily.
In addition to its benefits for osteoarthritis and joint pain emerging evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that glucosamine could have a role in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reducing mortality. A previous animal study reported that glucosamine extended life span by mimicking a low carbohydrate diet,
Other animal studies have reported that the anti-inflammatory properties of glucosamine might have a preventive role in atherosclerosis development.
The latest findings suggest that glucosamine could help prevent coronary heart disease and stroke. The study found a 15% decrease in total CVD events, 22% reduction in CVD death, 18% decrease in coronary heart disease, and a 9% reduction in stroke.
Interestingly people with osteoarthritis (inflammation) are at increased rick of CVD.. While clearly more research needs to be done on this it outperforms most drugs and has only positive side effects.
Glucosamine compounds have also been reported to have several other beneficial effects on the skin or skin cells. Because of its stimulation of hyaluronic acid synthesis, glucosamine has been shown to accelerate wound healing, improve skin hydration, and decrease wrinkles. In addition, as an inhibitor of tyrosinase activation, it inhibits melanin production and is useful in treatment of disorders of hyperpigmentation. Glucosamine also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Based on other observations, glucosamine has been suggested for additional clinical uses, including treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, migraine headaches, and viral infections.
