Glucosamine: Uses And Effectiveness
Numerous studies have been carried out on the effectiveness of glucosamine. Discover the results in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.
Glucosamine is a substance used by the body for the regeneration and synthesis of cartilage. Osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of rheumatic disease in the general population, is a wear and tear of the slippery cartilage that covers the ends of bones and allows joints to move smoothly.
Many studies have been done to assess the effectiveness of glucosamine. But the results are mixed. Some of them used a placebo as a comparator, while others used other drugs for the same indication.
Furthermore, it should be noted that this substance can be administered in the form of a drug or as a dietary supplement to strengthen these structures. Generally, glucosamine is extracted from shellfish, such as lobster, shrimp, or crab.
Uses of glucosamine
As we pointed out at the beginning of the article, glucosamine is used for pathologies manifested by wear and tear of the cartilage. This is the case with rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis.
This substance is the precursor of molecules involved in the development of cartilage tissue: glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. The use of glucosamine in diseases such as osteoarthritis is apparently safe, according to currently available data from clinical trials.
On the other hand, its possible immunomodulatory effect in other autoimmune pathologies – apart from arthritis and osteoarthritis, such as for example multiple sclerosis – is being studied. However, these studies are still in the animal testing stage.
What is arthritis and osteoarthritis?
In general, people confuse arthritis with osteoarthritis. Because both diseases affect the joints and have similar symptoms. Like joint pain.
Arthritis is a condition that always leads to inflammation of the joints. This inflammation in turn causes pain as well as edema. It is generally autoimmune in nature.
However, it can also be the result of other illnesses, such as gout. Among others, it presents the following characteristic symptoms:
- Pain, including at rest.
- Stiffness of the joints, especially upon awakening.
- Swelling with effusion of inflammatory synovial fluid.
- Other symptoms that vary depending on the organ affected.
Regarding osteoarthritis, it is a chronic disease. It is the one that most affects the Spanish population. Women being the most affected. It is characterized by degeneration of the joints and is often related to age.
Therefore, osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disease in which inflammation is observed. Rather, it is a degenerative pathology often associated with the age and aging of the joints. Among the symptoms associated with this disease, we can cite:
- Grinding when the joints are mobilized.
- Pain during movement.
- Limitation in movements.
- Possible deformations of the joints.
Studies carried out on the efficacy of glucosamine
Many studies have been done around the effectiveness of glucosamine. For example, in 2012 a study aimed to verify its effect on pain relief in the previously mentioned diseases. The treatment of glucosamine in combination with an NSAID has been tested against glucosamine alone. The result was positive.
Another study in 2015 wanted to compare the combination of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine with celecoxib for knee pain. It was carried out on patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The result was similarly effective in reducing the main symptoms of the disease after 6 months of treatment.
Finally, as we said, another study was done on the effects of glucosamine. But it did not give the expected results for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Conclusion…
As you can see, the results of the studies are somewhat variable. In other words, the exact effects of glucosamine in the case of certain diseases are not yet known.
Research is continuing in this area in order to get the maximum benefit from this substance. And to be able to advance in rheumatology and general medicine.
