Glucosamine

People ask me how I can still wear my 5 inch platform heels to work, especially after all that hardcore pounding on my knees and joints with long distance running plus combat at the gym.

Well, it’s not all me. I do have some help.

Realising that injuries occur due to wear and tear, I tend to try and minimize these problems even before they surface. Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM is an essential supplement in my daily routine.

Glucosamine itself is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a normal constituent of glycoaminoglycans in cartilage matrix and synovial fluid. Evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee. It is believed that the sulfate form of glucosamine helps synovial fluid by strengthening cartilage and aiding glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Glucosamine is commonly taken in combination with chondroitin, a glycosaminoglycan derived from articular cartilage. It is far better to take glucosamine for inflamed joints than to pump yourself with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The only draw back is of course that the benefits of glucosamine come on far slower than pain killers. Although pain killers might stop the pain fast, they are at best, just masking the injury.

We actually already have Glucosamine and chondroitin in our bodies, in cartilage. Cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones in a joint. The glucosamine you purchase from the Pharmacy generally comes from a shellfish source. Chondroitin also comes from natural sources, such as shark or bovine cartilage, or it can be made in a lab. Glucosamine and chondroitin are available in tablet, capsule, powder, or liquid form.

Due to the shellfish, my husband cannot take certain brands of Glucosamine. If you have seafood allergies, it’s probably best to take these supplements cautiously, although the worse reaction he got was a slight rash on his trunk and legs. If you are allergic to shellfish, do not take glucosamine unless you have talked to your doctor. Though my husband’s rash was mild, one cannot risk anaphylactic shock, as it can happen with allergies to shellfish. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements in the same way it regulates medicines, so it’s better to be cautious when taking these things. So far, through trial and error, my husband can tolerate Kordel’s Glucosamine Chondroitin 500/400 and also certain brands from the States. For me, I take 2 tablets stat (at once), of GNC’s Triflex – Glucosamine 500, Chondroitin 400, MSM 900 daily during lunch-time. Since the recommended daily dosage for osteoarthritis is t.d.s (3 caplets daily) with meals, I reckon my dosage is fine for prophylaxis. I need to take mine after meals otherwise I suffer heartburn.

Another component that you read about in the trilogy of joint pain prevention is MSM. Many people with arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, use supplements in their diet to ease the pain of arthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin are the most well-known and best tested. Methyl sulfonylmethane (MSM) is another supplement used to ease the pain of arthritis, but it has not been through as much rigorous scientific testing.

Well, I might be too young to suffer from arthritis at the moment, but taking Glucosamine tablets allow me to run 3 time a week and work out on TRX and combat 3 times a week, without suffering from any joint pain. That’s a total of 6 days work out per week – sometimes in excess of 12-15 hours in total. Prevention is better than cure, and so far, glucosamine works wonders for me.

Read an interesting post here on “Using Dietary Supplements Wisely”.