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A Natural Therapy for Arthritis: Glucosamine Sulfate

5 min read

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is made in the body from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. It is used to make the cells in cartilage that hold water and give cartilage its elasticity. Glucosamine supplements are made from the shells of crabs, lobsters and shrimp. In Europe glucosamine has been used therapeutically and researched for 30 years. It has also been used for decades by veterinarians in the United States to treat ailing animal joints.

What It Does

One major European study found that glucosamine significantly reduced pain and swelling and improved mobility in patients with arthritis of the knee. Even more important was the finding that glucosamine prevented joint-space narrowing, indicating that it prevented progressive damage to the joint. Joint-space narrowing is an indicator of the degenerative process. The term refers to the thinning of cartilage tissue.

There has been speculation that glucosamine may rebuild cartilage.. It

has been found to stimulate the synthesis of cartilage in laboratory tests. Human trials to definitively answer this question are lacking. But the National Institutes of Health is sponsoring a four-year study that might yield an answer to the question. In this regard, it is relevant to note that in studies of glucosamine the reduction in pain and swelling and improvements in mobility brought about by this supplement can continue for weeks after treatment stops, suggesting that glucosamine does more than simply suppress symptoms.

Comparison With NSAIDs

The conventional approach to the treatment of arthritis is to suppress joint pain with drugs. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain by blocking the inflammatory process. Non-aspirin NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve) and piroxicam (Feldene).

There is a growing body of evidence that shows that glucosamine eases osteoarthritis pain at least as well as NSAIDs. This is not of minor significance since glucosamine accomplishes the pain relieving effects of NSAIDs without the side effects of NSAIDs. These side effects are considerable, requiring FDA mandated labels that state in part: “Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulcerations and perforation can occur at any time with or without warning symptoms, in patients treated chronically with NSAID therapy.” NSAIDs can cause peptic ulcer, liver damage or kidney disease. These drugs have another, equally serious but less well-known side effect. They actually accelerate the destruction of cartilage. At least half a dozen studies dating from the early 1970s have shown that NSAID use is associated with acceleration of osteoarthritis and increased joint destruction.

A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, March 27, 2000, linked NSAIDs and congestive heart failure in elderly patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. In December of 2004, a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health to determine the effects of NSAIDs on Alzheimer’s disease found that subjects taking Aleve (naproxen) had a 50 percent greater rate of heart attacks and strokes than those given a placebo. Federal officials said that the entire class of painkillers known as NSAIDs, which include Aleve, Advil and Mobic, could have negative effects on the heart.

Then, of course, there are the Cox-2 inhibitors, a sub-class of Unsaid that include Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra. All of these have been found to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Vioxx was removed from the market

Glucosamine Sulfate versus Glucosamine Hydrochloride

Glucosamine supplements are available in two forms – sulfate or hydrochloride. Which works better? There are three possible answers to this question: glucosamine sulfate is more effective; glucosamine hydrochloride is more effective; they perform equally well. There are authorities to support each of these opinions. The argument I think is the strongest is the argument fro glucosamine sulfate. Sulfur is a mineral that helps provide the protein links necessary helps provide the protein links necessary for cartilage repair. Individuals with arthritis are commonly deficient in this essential nutrient. Restoring sulfur levels has brought about significant benefit to patients with arthritis.

Further evidence of the effect of sulfur on arthritis is the tradition of hot sulfur springs in the treatment of the disease. Throughout history, arthritis sufferers around the world have made pilgrimages to these sulfur-rich mineral springs. Reporting less pain and increased mobility of stiffened joints. A scientific study done in 1966 indicated that sulfur extracted from mineral baths passes through the skin of both human and lower animals, confirming an earlier study that had come to the same conclusion. Because one of the primary functions of glucosamine sulfate is to promote the manufacture of chondroitin sulfate in cartilage, a lack of the sulfur molecule may mean less cartilage synthesis when another form of glucosamine is used.

Dosage and Length of Time for Results

Recommended dosages of glucosamine sulfate are determined by body weight: for those weighing less than 120 pounds, 1,000 milligrams a day divided into two doses; for those between 120 and 200 pounds, 1,500 milligrams a day divided into two or three doses; for those above 200 pounds, 2,000 milligrams a day divided into two or three doses. As pain decreases, gradually decrease the dosage. Results can take weeks to develop. Because glucosamine does not simply relieve pain but works on the cartilage to achieve its results, it takes longer to achieve maximum effect. Allow eight weeks to see results and a minimum of four or five months before abandoning the effort. The effects are cumulative and long-lasting.

In assessing the effectiveness of this supplement, its quality is of crucial importance. Some supplements have been found to contain substantially less of the active ingredients than claimed on their labels. Food supplements are not subject to FDA regulation. Therefore, it is important to buy supplements from reputable companies.

Glucosamine is a natural supplement. But supplements can have side effects, too. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean that it is safe. People have been known to die of natural causes.

Next week’s article will be on the side effect of glucosamine.

Mary Lou Williams, M. Ed., is a lecturer and writer in the field of nutrition. She welcomes inquiries. She can be reached at (239) 2678-6480.