Glucosamine Sulfate

Overview

Glucosamine sulfate is a naturally occurring chemical found in the human body. It is in the fluid around joints. Glucosamine also exists in other places in nature. For example, glucosamine sulfate used in dietary supplements is often obtained from the shells of shellfish. Glucosamine sulfate used in dietary supplements does not always come from natural sources. It can also be made in a laboratory.

There are different forms of glucosamine including glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine. These different chemicals have some similarities, but they may not have the same effects when taken as a dietary supplement. Most of the scientific research on glucosamine has involved glucosamine sulfate. See separate listings for glucosamine hydrochloride or N-acetyl glucosamine.

Dietary supplements that contain glucosamine often contain additional ingredients. These additional ingredients are frequently chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), or shark cartilage. Some people think these combinations work better than taking just glucosamine sulfate alone. So far, researchers have found no proof that combining the additional ingredients with glucosamine adds any benefit.

Some glucosamine sulfate products are not labeled accurately. In some cases, the amount of glucosamine actually in the product has varied from none to over 100% of the amount stated on the product's label. Some products have contained glucosamine hydrochloride when glucosamine sulfate was listed on the label.

Glucosamine sulfate is most commonly used for osteoarthritis. It is also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Chemical

Primary Functions:

Osteoarthritis

Also Known As:

2-Amino-2-Deoxy-Glucose, 2-Amino-2-Deoxy-Beta-D-Glucopyranose

How Does It Work?

Glucosamine sulfate is a chemical found in the human body. It is used by the body to produce a variety of other chemicals that are involved in building tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the thick fluid that surrounds joints.

Joints are cushioned by the fluid and cartilage that surround them. In some people with osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down and becomes thin. This results in more joint friction, pain, and stiffness. Researchers think that taking glucosamine supplements may either increase the cartilage and fluid surrounding joints or help prevent breakdown of these substances, or maybe both.

Some researchers think the "sulfate" part of glucosamine sulfate is also important. Sulfate is needed by the body to produce cartilage. This is one reason why researchers believe that glucosamine sulfate might work better than other forms of glucosamine such as glucosamine hydrochloride or N-acetyl glucosamine. These other forms do not contain sulfate.

Uses

  • Most research shows that taking glucosamine sulfate can provide some pain relief for people with osteoarthritis, especially those with osteoarthritis of the knees. For some people, glucosamine sulfate might work as well as over-the-counter and prescription pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen; however, pain medications work quickly while glucosamine sulfate can take 4-8 weeks before it provides pain relief. Also, people who take glucosamine sulfate often still need to take pain medications for pain flare-ups. In addition to relieving pain, glucosamine sulfate might also slow the breakdown of joints and prevent the condition from getting worse if it is taken for several years. Some research shows that people who take glucosamine sulfate might be less likely to need total knee replacement surgery. There are several kinds of glucosamine products. The most research showing benefit is for products that contain glucosamine sulfate. Products that contain glucosamine hydrochloride do not seem to work as well. Many products contain both glucosamine with chondroitin, but there is no evidence that these products work any better than glucosamine sulfate by itself. Glucosamine sulfate does not seem to prevent people from getting osteoarthritis.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For osteoarthritis: 1500 mg once daily or 500 mg three times daily, either alone or together with 400 mg of chondroitin sulfate two or three times daily, has been used for up to 3 years. Also glucosamine sulfate 750 mg twice daily in combination with turmeric root extract 500 mg twice daily has been used for 6 weeks.

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

  • For osteoarthritis: A cream containing 30 mg/gram of glucosamine sulfate, 50 mg/gram of chondroitin sulfate, 140 mg/gram of shark cartilage, 32 mg/gram of camphor, and 9 mg/gram of peppermint oil has been applied to the skin as needed for 8 weeks.

INJECTED INTO THE MUSCLE:

  • For osteoarthritis: 400 mg of glucosamine sulfate has been injected twice weekly for 6 weeks.

Glucosamine Sulfate Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is glucosamine sulphate good for?

Glucosamine sulfate is a widely used supplement that may help ease pain in people with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis happens when cartilage breaks down. This can cause joint pain. Millions of people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis.

Does glucosamine sulfate really work?

Regular supplementation with glucosamine sulfate has shown to have a small to moderate effect by slowing the rate of joint cartilage degeneration if taken regularly for three years. Chondroitin sulfate has been shown to be effective for relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis.

What are the side effects of glucosamine sulfate?

Oral use of glucosamine sulfate can cause:

  • Nausea.
  • Heartburn.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Constipation.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Skin reactions.
  • Headache.

Can glucosamine cause liver damage?

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.

Who should not take glucosamine?

Who shouldn't take glucosamine? If you have a shellfish allergy, be careful about using glucosamine because you could have a reaction. Also, check with your doctor before taking the supplements if you: Have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, bleeding disorders, or high blood pressure.

Is turmeric better than glucosamine?

As Dr Sarah Brewer says, 'Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. The turmeric helps your body to maintain a normal healthy inflammatory response, and the glucosamine has mild pain-relieving effects and cartilage-protective qualities.

What time of day should Glucosamine be taken?

In most studies on treating osteoarthritis, the typical dose was 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate, three times a day. Ask your doctor what he recommends for you. Some experts suggest you take it with meals to prevent an upset stomach.

Does glucosamine increase weight?

Glucosamine Enhances Body Weight Gain and Reduces Insulin Response in Mice Fed Chow Diet but Mitigates Obesity, Insulin Resistance and Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Mice High-Fat Diet. . 2015 Mar;64(3):368-79. doi: 10.1016/j.

Can glucosamine be bad for you?

Glucosamine may affect blood sugar and insulin levels. Animal studies show that glucosamine may further increase LDL "bad" cholesterol levels if you eat a lot of fatty foods. More research is needed. Glucosamine may interfere with some medicines.

Can glucosamine raise blood pressure?

High blood pressure: There is some concern that glucosamine might increase blood pressure in some people. Glucosamine might increase insulin levels. High insulin levels are associated with increased blood pressure. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Is it good to take glucosamine?

Though glucosamine is used to treat various joint, bone and inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, interstitial cystitis and TMJ, most research only supports its effectiveness for long-term osteoarthritis symptom management. It appears safe for most people at a dosage of 1,500 mg per day but may cause mild side effects.

Can glucosamine and turmeric be taken together?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between Glucosamine & Chondroitin with MSM and turmeric. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.

Can you take glucosamine long term?

Though glucosamine is used to treat various joint, bone and inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, interstitial cystitis and TMJ, most research only supports its effectiveness for long-term osteoarthritis symptom management. It appears safe for most people at a dosage of 1,500 mg per day but may cause mild side effects.

What foods are high in glucosamine?

It occurs naturally in the fluid around the joints, in animal bones, bone marrow, shellfish, and fungi. Glucosamine, especially glucosamine sulfate, is extracted from the shells of shellfish to make dietary supplements.

What happens if you take too much glucosamine?

Glucosamine has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated. Common side effects are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. There is a risk for severe and life-threatening allergic reactions to glucosamine in people with shellfish allergy or those with asthma.

How long does it take for glucosamine to start working?

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.

Is glucosamine good for weight loss?

Theoretically, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM supplementation may provide additive benefits to individuals with knee OA initiating an exercise and weight loss program. However, greater benefits would be observed in those following a higher protein diet with glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM supplementation.

Clinical Studies