Glucosamine for arthritis

A recent study by the Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC) indicates that there are about 14 million sufferers of the crippling condition in the UK alone. The most common type is osteoarthritis which affects the joints making them extremely painful with consequent reliance on painkillers.

Many arthritis sufferers find that they can manage their symptoms with the nutritional supplement Glucosamine which has been safely used for about fifty years to manage and delay progression of the condition. The beauty of taking nutritional supplements is that they have few side effects as do the widely prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and analgesics. Glucosamine can be taken alongside conventional drugs which can usually be reduced or stopped in time once the supplement has started to work. Some people prefer to take glucosamine combined with chondroitin obtained from cattle and shark cartilage.

Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage that surrounds and protects our joints. In the healthy joint the cartilage soaks up and squeezes out the synovial fluid when the joint is moved. However, as we age the cartilage can start to dry out and crack. This is especially so when the joint is in action ie during physical activity. The result is that the two ends of the bone in the joint rub against each other leading to classic osteoarthritic symptoms of pain and inflamation often seen in older people.

The distressing and painful condition is more common to women and those who are active in sports or physical work. Overweight and genetics play a large part; the risk is increased if one's mother or grandmother had it.

The supplement replaces the naturally occurring glucosamine lost in the ageing process. That is a basic building block of complex structures, called glycosaminoglycans needed for the growth and repair of cartilage and synovial fluid. Until recently glucosamine supplements were derived from the shells of shellfish such as shrimps and prawns making them unsuitable for vegetarians, those allergic to shellfish or unable to consume it for religious reasons. There have been major breakthroughs recently with the manufacture of glucosamine from vegetarian sources for the first time making it possible for all arthritis sufferers to benefit from this amazing supplement.

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