Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is naturally present in human cartilage. Glucosamine is also used as a dietary supplement for treating joint pain, inflammation and osteoarthritis. According to MedlinePlus, glucosamine supplementation is a safe alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Several types of glucosamine supplements are available, with some being more effective than others.The three main types of glucosamine include glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine NAG.
Function
Glucosamine is essential for the production of glycosaminoglycan, or GAG. GAG provides the lubrication, structure and strength for the cartilage in the joints. Since human cartilage does not have its own blood supply, it’s dependent on GAG for nutrients. As people age, they lose GAG and their cartilage degenerates. Glucosamine supplementation is thought to increase the production of GAG and protect the cartilage from thinning and weakening.
Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate is the most known and marketed type of glucosamine. The glucosamine is attached to sulfate, or salt, which transports the glucosamine into the body. Glucosamine sulfate has proven to be effective for treating osteoarthritis in random controlled trials, according to the MedlinePlus. Glucosamine sulfate also has the highest bioavailability, meaning a higher percentage of glucosamine is available for use after digestion.
Glucosamine Hydrochloride
There is conflicting evidence about the usefulness of glucosamine hydrochloride, or HCL, for treating osteoarthritis and joint pain. In order for glucosamine HCL to be effective, the HCL needs to be removed. Then the glucosamine needs to attach with sulfate for transportation. This is why glucosamine HCL is often combined with chondroitin sulfate. The bioavailability is reduced with this process, thus making it less effective than glucosamine sulfate. Due to lower manufacturing costs, glucosamine HCL is much cheaper than glucosamine sulfate.
Glucosamine NAG
Not many studies have been published on glucosamine NAG. This glucosamine is attached to a large and complex molecule and thus has a different effect on the body. Glucosamine NAG is considered much less effective than either glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine HCL for treating osteoarthritis. It has been proposed that glucosamine NAG could be used for treating autoimmune disease.
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