Glucosamine is a natural body substance important in forming connective tissue called cartilage. According to The University of Maryland Medical Center, although test results are still inconclusive, glucosamine supplements may be useful to treat osteoarthritis, a form of arthritis that results from cartilage breakdown. Because you cannot get glucosamine from food sources, an injection, pill, liquid or cream are your available options. The "Glucosamine Osteoarthritis Resource Center" states the injection form is effective but not practical, the cream option is completely ineffective and ultimately advocates the use of liquid glucosamine.
Ease of Administration
As MayoClinic.com notes, each time you swallow, 50 pairs of muscles and nerves must coordinate and work together. As you age, the muscles required for swallowing can weaken, making swallowing food or pills more difficult. In some cases, a condition called "unexplained dysphagia" can make swallowing pills difficult or impossible no matter what your age. If you find swallowing pills difficult, the benefits provided by administering liquid glucosamine can mean the difference between whether you can take the supplement or not. According to "Glucosamine Osteoarthritis Resource Center," in addition to taking it from a measured dosage cup, you can also add it to a glass of water, juice or soda.
Fast Absorption
Liquid glucosamine absorbs into your system faster than pills. Increased absorption rates also increase the bioavailability of glucosamine, or the amount that reaches your system without significant changes. According to "Glucosamine Osteoarthritis Resource Center," this increased bioavailability can mean that instead of waiting months to see results, you may begin seeing results within one to two weeks.
Purity/Quality
Liquid glucosamine, according to "The Arthritis and Glucosamine Information Center," is pure glucosamine. In contrast, pills typically contain large amounts of added ingredients, such as fillers and stabilizers, which make it less pure and effective.
Lower Cost
A typical daily dosage recommendation for glucosamine in any form is 1,000 to 1,500mg. While some manufacturers do make pills in this dosage, many limit the dosage of each pill to 300, 500 or 750mg., making it necessary to take several pills each day at a cost much higher than that of liquid glucosamine. According to "Arthritis and Glucosamine Resource Center," the cost for liquid glucosamine can be under $1.00 per day, while the pill version can run over $2.00 per day.
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