Nobody wants to make a decision between suffering from joint pain or dealing with high blood pressure. However, many individuals who wish to take glucosamine sulfate supplements do just that. Glucosamine supplements help treat the pain and swelling associated with osteoarthritis, but many contain high levels of sodium. The increased intake of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, particularly for sodium-sensitive individuals.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries in units of millimeters of mercury -- mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure measures the force exerted while your heart beats, during contractions while diastolic blood pressure measure the force exerted while your heat is relaxing, between beats. High blood pressure exists when your systolic pressure consistently measures 140 mm Hg or higher, or your diastolic blood pressure consistently measures 90 mm Hg or higher. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of developing cardiovascular problems, as well as causing damage to your eyes, kidney and brain.
Many factors contribute to the development of high blood pressure, including excess sodium intake.
Glucosamine Function
Glucosamine helps strengthen normal cartilage, the connective tissues in your body that form cushions between you joints. Controversy exists as to whether glucosamine supplements can actually repair damaged cartilage or slow the progression of osteoarthritis, but glucosamine does appear to help some people by decreasing joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees.
Glucosamine Supplements
Glucosamine supplements exist as tablets, capsules, powders and liquids, as well as in a form suitable for injection. Your body absorbs injected glucosamine better than orally administered glucosamine, however, injections are more costly and more painful. All forms of glucosamine supplements are derived from shellfish such as shrimp, crab and lobster. For this reason, people allergic to shellfish should not take glucosamine supplements. In addition, they may also contain sodium, although there are sodium-free formulations for sale as well.
Glucosamine Ingredients
The levels of sodium in glucosamine supplements can lead to increased blood pressure, particularly when taken on a daily basis. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as well as the Institute of Medicine recommends healthy adults limit sodium intake to about 1,500 mg to 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Taking a once-daily sodium-containing glucosamine sulfate supplement containing 20 percent by weight of sodium significantly contributes to that daily limit.
Sodium-Free Glucosamine Supplements
Most laboratory testing on the safety and effectiveness of glucosamine has been performed using glucosamine sulfate stabilized with sodium chloride. However, because of the concerns over high blood pressure related to increased sodium consumption using these supplements, glucosamine sulfate supplement manufacturers do provide low-sodium or sodium-free version of glucosamine sulfate. These supplements use potassium chloride rather than sodium chloride for stabilization, providing the same effects as glucosamine sulfate sodium chloride without the added sodium, decreasing the risk for increasing the blood pressure of those who take them on a regular basis.
