According to the United States National Library of Medicine, glucosamine sulfate, or GS, is a derivative of glucose and glutamine, a component of joints and intestinal tissue in the body. GS aids in production of synovial fluid, a joint lubricant. The sulfate portion of this substance is found in cartilage tissue. As of 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently developing regulation standards for glucosamine as a dietary supplement.
Glucosamine Sulfate
"The Chemical & Engineering News" magazine states that the glucosamine manufacturing process begins with shell material from crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs. Vanson, a Redmond, Washington company purchases, shells and dries, deproteinizes, and demineralizes these materials. The remaining substance is a compound known as chitin, or poly N-acetylglucosamine. The "Chemical & Engineering News" magazine notes that this material is a base compound for weight-loss products due to its ability to bind fats and oils, a claim that has not been substantiated by the FDA. This chitin is further fermented to create glucosamine. This over-the-counter supplement is sold as an unsubstantiated process for rebuilding cartilage. The sulfate ingredient in GS is a water-soluble salt known as keratan sulfate, a substance that occurs naturally in cartilage, bone and connective tissue, but is believed to decrease in patients with arthritis, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Tricalcium Phosphate
Tricalcium Phosphate is a processed natural material found in rock and animal bone and teeth. This particular substance is synthesized for human consumption as a dietary aid that is unsubstantiated by the Food and Drug Administration as a bone and joint strengthening agent. The calcium byproduct of tricalcium phosphate has been administered as a supplement for calcium deficiency with some efficacy as noted by Med Help, a medical information website.
Additional Ingredients
The additional ingredients in glucosamine sulfate supplements assist the body in utilizing the glucosamine product by assisting in its transportation and encouraging acceptance of foreign substances within the digestive system. Gelatin claims exist for its ability to strengthen cartilaginous tissue. Vegetable magnesium stearate is a water-soluble product that encourages chemical absorption and retention in the body. Silica is used in many dietary supplements as a chemical binding agent.
Research on Glucosamine Sulfate
The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that glucosamine is a popular dietary supplements sold in the United States. They indicate that the clinical trials have focused on GS use in osteoarthritis of the knee. The reported adverse effects appear to be minor and no trials report any significant supplement-drug interactions involving glucosamine. The AAFP also notes that the National Institutes of Health sponsored glucosamine/chondroitin arthritis intervention trials involving the supplement. The results did not confirm that GS is effective in treating osteoarthritis, but there is also no evidence to deny its use as a dietary supplement for bone and joint health.
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