The Effectiveness of Glucosamine Supplements
Glucosamine is used to relieve the symptoms and of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) – osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis was seen as a permanent, gradually worsening condition affecting many people (and animals) with age - an accepted result of ageing, together with wear and tear on joints. In many ways this is true but many people have reported greatly improved mobility when taking Glucosamine.
Supplements containing a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin – two naturally occurring substances – have proven to be most effective. Providing additional Glucosamine speeds up the regeneration of damaged or worn cartilage whilst additional Chondroitin helps to reduce the effect of the destructive enzymes and improve the quality of the lubricating fluid within the joints (synovial fluid).
However, for glucosamine to be effective it has to get out the bloodstream (through the walls of the blood capillaries) and into the cells of the joints. The problem is that glucosamine has a very large molecular structure – too large to pass easily through the small pores in the capillary walls. Imagine trying to force a football through a hole the size of a tennis ball. Watch the animation above. So… the glucosamine in most supplements gets into the bloodstream but then can’t get out into the cells where it’s needed and just passes out through the body’s waste system! Sadly, the same is true of chondroitin.
Manufacturers just seem to add higher and higher concentrations of glucosamine and chondroitin to their supplements in the hope that this will impress/convince people that their product is better.
One manufacturer has developed a supplement where the Glucosamine and Chondroitin have already been split up into smaller base compounds (amino acids and aminosaccharides) which, having a much smaller molecular size, pass more easily into the cells of the joints – efficiency at its best!
This brand is Cortaflex and it has become the world’s best selling and most effective joint supplement.