According to statistics, every third person experiences joint diseases. And among them are not only elderly people, but also young people - 30-35 years old. The problem also affects bodybuilders, overweight people, sedentary office workers and representatives of certain professions (loaders, builders, workers). The rate of degradation of cartilage tissue is different for all people, but they have one thing in common - a lack of glucosamine. This is an organic substance, due to the lack of which arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis and other characteristic diseases develop. Preparations with glucosamine for joints restore cartilage, relieve swelling and restore previous mobility.
Glucosamine is an important component for joint health
Glucosamine for joints: what is this substance?
Articular cartilage
– a smooth and durable fabric that acts as a shock absorber pillow. It prevents bones from rubbing against each other, reduces pressure during movement, and consists of 60-65% water.
Glucosamine
– a monosaccharide that is contained and accumulates in the connective tissue of the musculoskeletal system, making it stronger and more elastic. The body mainly uses its reserves to form cartilage cells and maintain joint ligaments. In other words, it is a building material for cartilage. Its highest concentration is found in mollusk shells, bones and bone marrow of animals. All shells and shells of crustaceans are also sources of glucosamine. It is usually made from the chitinous shells of crabs, lobsters, shrimp and crayfish.
Glucosamine for arthrosis
One of the directions in the treatment of arthrosis and osteoarthritis is taking chondroprotectors, which always contain this monosaccharide. Glucosamine acts more effectively in conjunction with chondroitin. The latter helps the joints retain moisture, so they do not crack and maintain firmness and elasticity.
Glucosamine in chondroprotectors is obtained mainly from chitin, an organic layer of mollusk shells or the outer covering of insects. The substance is also present directly in shrimp and lobsters, but its concentration is very low, unless you eat the shells. Those who are allergic to this group of foods can choose preparations based on plant sources. But they only contain glucosamine: they do not get chondroitin from plant sources.
The purest source of glucosamine is beef bone! If you boil it for 6 hours, you get a healing broth that is good for joints with arthrosis. How to properly prepare and take a remedy for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes?
If the cartilage is completely destroyed, chondroprotectors are not effective
The benefits of glucosamine: how does it affect joints?
Over time, the cartilage wears out, dries out, and becomes thinner. External sources of glucosamine (from food) are most often insufficient; an age-related decrease in the rate of metabolic processes does not allow the body to independently synthesize it in the required volume. That is, the cartilage does not recover on its own and begins to perform its functions poorly. When sources of glucosamine disappear, pain and inflammation inevitably follow.
Injuries, excess weight, genetic predisposition, abnormal loads (heavy lifting) or lack of physical activity accelerate the process of cartilage degradation. This does not happen immediately in 2-3 weeks, but imperceptibly stretches over years or decades.
For example, at the age of 35, a person begins to be bothered by pain and unhealthy crunching in the knee joints, which he does not pay attention to, because they go away after a short rest. However, after 3-4 years, the intensity of the pain syndrome increases, the person becomes less mobile, and movements become limited. Further - worse. Destruction of the joint leads to coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, osteochondrosis and other diseases associated with damage to cartilage. Their extreme stage is complete disability.
Conclusion:
supporting the optimal amount of glucosamine for joints in the body - protecting cartilage from wear and drying! The less it is, the faster the cartilage tissue is depleted and the joints hurt more.
The benefit of glucosamine is that it directly participates in the construction of cartilage elements, stimulates recovery, affects metabolism in cartilage tissue, improves calcium absorption and the protective functions of intra-articular fluid. Preparations with glucosamine prevent the occurrence of joint diseases, strengthen ligaments and tendons, bone tissue, nails and hair, heart muscle, blood vessels, and also improve the quality of synovial fluid.
Main properties of glucosamine for joints
- Improves cartilage metabolism and limb mobility.
- Pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Reduce stiffness, swelling and pain.
- Elimination of hypersensitivity.
- Suspension of destructive changes.
- Preservation of water cushions in cartilage.
Preparations with glucosamine slow down the further development of diseases, alleviate the general condition both in the early and later stages, when pharmacological treatment is still possible and functionality is not lost.
Glucosamine
for joints of any kind - not an instant pain reliever only for symptomatic treatment, but a slow-acting drug that gradually accumulates in the body and regenerates cartilage. What does this mean? The effect and benefits of glucosamine are noticeable not after 1-2 days, but approximately 4-8 weeks after starting use. Thanks to it, the need for NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) is significantly reduced.
Chondroprotectors help:
- reduce pain:
- stop degenerative processes in joints;
- stimulate the production of synovial fluid and natural hyaluronic acid;
- get rid of “lumbago” in the knees, elbows, and hip joints.
To obtain such a result, long-term use of medications is necessary, since it is impossible to restore the deficiency of glucosamine in one go. The course is at least 12 weeks, and the maximum effect is achieved after three years (taken for 12-16 weeks with breaks of 8 weeks).
This result can be obtained more quickly with the help of intra-articular injections of the synovial fluid substitute Noltrex. The endoprosthesis enters directly into the articular cavity, covers the cartilaginous surfaces, separates them and stops friction.
A few injections at weekly intervals are enough for the pain to disappear and mobility to return. Of course, even with this therapeutic minimally invasive method, taking chondroprotectors for preventive protection of joints will not be superfluous. The main thing is to choose the right drug and follow the recommendations of a good orthopedist.
Preparations with glucosamine: indications for use
Glucosamine for joints is taken both for prevention and directly for the treatment of diseases. First of all, it is responsible for the high-quality restoration of cartilage, and as a result, it relieves moderate and mild joint pain.
Taking medications with glucosamine restores cartilage tissue
What diseases does glucosamine help with?
- Osteoarthritis of joints (ankle, knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, wrist, jaw).
- Osteochondrosis (cervical, thoracic, lumbar).
- Arthritis (rheumatoid, reactive, gouty, traumatic and others).
Doctors recommend additional sources of glucosamine:
- Overweight people. Excess weight creates additional stress on the joint capsules.
- Sedentary people.
- People with an active lifestyle, which is accompanied by heavy physical activity. These could be professional athletes, loaders or miners. Relevant for extreme sports enthusiasts, travelers and those who regularly visit the gym.
People over 35 years of age and strict vegetarians, whose diet lacks sources of glucosamine, are especially deficient in the substance. The risk group also includes patients who have been diagnosed with joint diseases of an infectious autoimmune nature. Timely prevention helps to avoid the destruction of cartilage tissue, which means keeping joints healthy and mobile.
Positive Action
Additional intake of glucosamine helps restore damaged cartilage and ligament tissue. Thanks to it, the production of hyaluronic acid, which forms synovial fluid, improves. This is extremely important for preventing joint injuries.
Regular use of glucosamine for osteoarthritis reduces the risk of arthrosis. Its effectiveness is partly comparable to taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. During the first three weeks of use, pronounced pain decreases and mobility in damaged joints improves.
Glucosamine sulfate fights infection. In combination with other drugs, it reduces inflammatory processes in affected tissues. Rheumatologists often prescribe glucosamine to patients who have nothing to do with sports.
Glucosamine release forms for joints
Based on the clinical manifestations and lifestyle of the patient, the doctor individually selects chondroprotectors in different forms.
Glucosamine is available as:
- Injections.
- Mazey.
- Tablets and capsules.
- Powder.
For intramuscular administration, you will need the help of a health care professional - daily injections, unlike taking tablets or powder, can cause inconvenience. External agents (creams and balms) act locally, are characterized by low bioavailability and relatively low efficiency. As for the tablets, you need to take several of them at once.
With powder everything is much simpler: 1 sachet at a time. The composition includes excipients that enhance the effect and benefits of glucosamine. It does not affect the gastric mucosa, contains a daily dose of glucosamine for joints, quickly penetrates the cells and is easily absorbed.
Daily norm, dosage regimen
The recommended dose of glucosamine sulfate is 700 mg per day (for adults). You can find other recommendations, most of which boil down to the advice to take 500 mg of glucosamine 3 times a day with food.
Glucosamine (powder) is used by dissolving the drug in water. Each serving of diluted powder is drunk during meals. The standard dosage is 1 sachet (sachet, measuring spoon) per serving. The dose can be adjusted according to individual doctor's recommendations.
The bioavailability of the substance is low - no more than ¼ of the dose taken will reach the target tissues unchanged. That is, only 25% of the dose will reach the goal. This explains the need for long-term use - this way the valuable component will have time to accumulate, be absorbed by the body and begin to work, i.e. have a therapeutic effect.
For a pronounced effect, glucosamine should be taken in courses lasting from 3-4 to 7-8 weeks, depending on the indications and goals.
As you can see, treatment takes at least a month. Otherwise, there will be no tangible effect. The best option: drink powdered glucosamine for 2-3 months, then take a break for 2 months and repeat the course. Tablets and capsules of glucosamine are taken in the same way. However, the duration of the course of treatment, if you use tablets, will be longer - from 3 months to six months. This is due to the fact that tablets usually have a lower concentration of the active substance than powder. After a course of taking pills, take the same break - 2 months.
Artracam is a working drug with glucosamine!
Artracam is a drug that belongs to the group of chondroprotectors.
The drug with glucosamine is designed for the long term - Artracam slowly but surely restores mobility by accumulating in the body. It affects all joints at once, relieves symptoms (pain and swelling), and has a direct effect on cartilage regeneration. The powder has a neutral taste, consists of glucosamine sulfate sodium chloride and glucosamine sulfate, made from natural raw materials. It can be combined with chondroitin.
To achieve lasting and maximum results, it is advisable to take it in courses (1 course = 6 weeks). If necessary, taking glucosamine for joints is combined with NSAIDs, physiotherapy, exercise therapy (physical therapy), and proper nutrition.
Artracam is an effective and safe drug
with glucosamine, which is enough to take once a day so that the joints work properly, and most importantly... painlessly!
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Contraindications and side effects
Modern biologically active chondroprotective supplements have a minimum of contraindications. They cannot be accepted:
- for phenylketonuria
- with individual intolerance to glucosamine and chondroitin.
They are prescribed with caution and under the supervision of a doctor:
- for bleeding disorders, thrombophlebitis;
- children under 14 years of age;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute phase.
The most common side effect of these drugs is allergic reactions. Sometimes gastrointestinal disorders are observed - abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating and flatulence. Very rarely, glucosamine and chondroitin can cause headaches, sleep disturbances, dizziness, pain and swelling in the legs.
Glucosamine may reduce inflammation
Glucosamine is often used as an additional remedy to relieve various inflammations.
Although the mechanisms of action of glucosamine are still poorly understood, it appears that it may indeed reduce inflammation.
One in vitro study showed significant anti-inflammatory effects of glucosamine when applied to cells involved in bone formation.
Much of the research on glucosamine occurs while taking supplements of chondroitin, a compound similar to glucosamine that is also involved in building body cells and maintaining cartilage health.
A study of more than 200 people found that glucosamine supplements reduced two biochemical markers of inflammation: CRP and PGE by 28% and 24%. However, these results were not statistically significant. It is worth noting that the same study found a 36% decrease in these markers in people taking chondroitin at the same time. This result was truly impressive.
Other studies confirm these findings. But many of the participants who took chondroitin also took glucosamine.
Thus, it remains unclear whether the results are due to chondroitin alone or a combination of both supplements taken together. Ultimately, more research is needed into the role of glucosamine in reducing markers of inflammation in the body.
CONCLUSIONS
It's not entirely clear how glucosamine works in treating disease, but some research suggests it may reduce inflammation, especially when taken along with chondroitin.
Glucosamine is often used to treat bone and joint disorders
Glucosamine is commonly taken to treat various bone and joint conditions.
This substance has been studied for its ability to treat the symptoms and progression of diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Multiple studies show that taking daily glucosamine sulfate supplements can provide effective long-term treatment for osteoarthritis, reducing pain, maintaining joint space, and overall slowing the progression of the disease.
Some studies have found a significant reduction in rheumatoid arthritis in mice given various forms of glucosamine.
A study in humans did not show any significant changes in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis when taking glucosamine. However, study participants reported a significant reduction in symptoms.
Some early studies in mice with osteoporosis also suggested the potential of glucosamine supplements to improve bone strength.
Although these results are encouraging, more human studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of action and determine the dosage of glucosamine for joint and bone diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
Although glucosamine is often used to treat a variety of bone and joint conditions, more research is needed on its effects.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS
Glucosamine is naturally produced in the body and plays a vital role in the formation and maintenance of healthy joints.
Although glucosamine is used to treat a variety of joint, bone, and inflammatory conditions such as IBD, interstitial cystitis, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, most existing research supports its effectiveness only for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
It is safe for most people at dosages up to 1,500 mg per day, but may cause mild side effects.
If you want to treat osteoarthritis, you may want to consider taking glucosamine supplements, but be sure to talk to your doctor first.