This article will explain what glucosamine is, what it does and who can benefit from it. You will also learn what a normal dosage is and what other conditions will benefit from using glucosamine.

Glucosamine is a natural substance made from glutamine (amino acids) and glucose (sugars). The human body will use glucosamine to help repair cartilage and body tissues. The human body will be able to produce more glucosamine naturally when you are younger. The natural process of producing glucosamine slows as we age which could lead to possible muscle or joint problems like arthritis.

The reality that our bodies will lose glucosamine as we get up there in years has lead to the manufacturing of glucosamine as a supplement. Glucosamine supplements often contain a substance found naturally in our cartilage called chondroitin. Chondroitin is found naturally in cow's milk and adds sulfur to the supplement.

When someone suffers from osteoarthritis, particularly of the knees they are often prescribed glucosamine supplements. Glucosamine is prescribed to help replenish the natural glucosamine that you’re body no longer makes. Glucosamine is believed to help mend damaged cartilage that induces the osteoarthritis.

Studies have shown that glucosamine can help ease the discomfort in you’re knees. Glucosamine will also help reduce the advancement of osteoarthritis. A recent study used glucosamine combined with hydrochloride found the results to be less then effective. The same research also established that glucosamine mixed with chondroitin, did little to ease pain in the knees. The individuals, who took part in the study, had better pain reduction using pure glucosamine. That’s not to say that chondrotin will not help you in other ways.

One thousand five hundred mg per day is the recommended dosage for glucosamine to help treat osteoarthritis. It makes sense to try glucosamine for a three month period, if you don’t notice any improvement, stop using it. Obviously if there is improvement then continue to use the supplement.

When you use Glucosamine short term it is generally tolerated by you’re body quite well. There are long term mild side effects that can develop in certain individuals. Some people have been known to have an increase in blood sugar levels if they are diabetics Type I or Type II, people with diabetes should be closely monitored. It’s also possible to see an increase in blood pressure in certain individuals.

If you suffer from bleeding disorders or are taking blood thinner medications you may increase the risk of bleeding. Women who are pregnant or nursing should consult with their physician before taking any supplements including glucosamine.

Glucosamine can also be used for conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even some skin conditions.

I believe that glucosamine has been beneficial to my own knee problems. One thing I never do is take more then the daily recommended dosage. Please read the label carefully.

The fact that you can purchase glucosamine supplements online doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t first consult with you’re physician. Always and I repeat always consult with you’re physician before taking any supplement to ensure that you are not harming yourself. Especially if you are currently taking any medications, pregnant, nursing or you have any current health problems.