If you have arthritis or joint pain or are recovering from a joint injury, you may be familiar with the over the counter supplement glucosamine. Those who use it believe that It may reduce joint pain and swelling in both humans and animals, including dogs and horses. Glucose and glucosamine sound similar, but the two substances are not the same.
Glucose Defined
Glucose is a simple sugar known as a monosaccharide. It is an essential source of energy transport and storage in the body. It is also an essential component of cellular respiration. Your body produces glucose when fats, protein and carbohydrates you've eaten are metabolized into energy for use by your cells.
Sources
Common sources of food that are easily and quickly converted into energy in your body include naturally occurring sugars in milk, fruit and fruit juices. Carbohydrates and fats are also converted to glucose, but it takes longer to metabolize both into glucose. If you have ever donated blood, you may be offered glasses of orange juice to quickly boost your blood glucose levels. Glucose is also made by plants during the photosynthesis process. Manufactured glucose can be mixed with sterile water and used as an intravenous food source for patients who are unable to eat or who are fasting prior to diagnostic or surgical procedures.
Blood glucose
When blood glucose is elevated, it could be a sign of diabetes or insulin resistance. Elevated levels need to be followed by your health care provider. Diet and lifestyle contribute to blood glucose levels. Sometimes, simply improving dietary intake and increased exercise coupled with weight loss can help to regulate glucose in your blood.
Glucosamine Defined
Glucosamine is a substance that helps with the biosynthesis of glycoslated porteins and lipids via a complicated internal process. The result of the process is the creation of part of the building material necessary for the building blocks of the external skeletons of certain types of shellfish. It is also present in animal bones and in bone marrow and some fungi. The dietary glucosamine supplements are made by using chemical processes that extract the required material. Glucose is not a part of glucosamine.
Uses
Popular belief suggests that because glucosamine is a component of joint cartilage, oral supplements containing glucosamine will help repair joints damaged by osteoarthritis. Many studies have been done to determine its effectiveness, but the results are mixed. Some believe that it may help reduce joint inflammation, thus resulting in decreased swelling and discomfort. Regardless, glucosamine remains a popular component of many of the joint pain relief products sold today. Glucosamine, like glucose, is a monosaccharide, but it does not affect normal regulation of blood sugar and insulin levels. Clinical studies have been performed, but there is little evidence that it increases or interferes with blood glucose levels or insulin resistance in normal subjects. If you have elevated blood glucose levels, discuss use of glucosamine with your health care provider prior to use.
References
- Wordnetweb; Princeton.edu
- Archives of Internal Medicine; The effect of glucosamine-chondroitin supplementation on glycosylated hemoglob
- "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007; National Center for Health Statistics, December 10, 3008
- American Diabetes Association; Food & Fitness
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