Supplements containing glucosamine have been used for years to combat symptoms of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine effectively relieves stiffness, swelling and pain in people with arthritis, according to MedlinePlus. Although there are few natural glucosamine food sources, some products are fortified to contain active ingredients of this compound. As a safety precaution, speak with your physician before seeking complementary therapies for your condition.
Shellfish
Most glucosamine supplements are produced from the outer shells or exoskeletons of crustaceans. Edible crustaceans such as lobster, crawfish, crab and shrimp can provide small amounts of glucosamine in their tails and shells, which most glucosamine supplements are produced from. In most culinary traditions, the exoskeletons are discarded because they present digestion and chewing difficulties. However, you can use the exoskeleton by grinding and blending it into casseroles, pasta sauces, soups and stews. Shellfish meat contains insufficient amount of glucosamine. As a result, you cannot consume beneficial amounts of glucosamine by eating the animal's flesh, reports MayoClinic.com.
Offal
According to MedlinePlus, glucosamine can be found in several forms of healthy animal cartilage. A butchered animal's joint tissues, snout and ears contain the most substantial amounts of glucosamine. However, these low-nutrient, tough forms of offal are typically not consumed in the United States. Offal, a culinary term, refers to the edible organs of a butchered animal. Most traditional sausages and other internal animal sources such as hog's head cheese provide adequate amounts of glucosamine, mainly because the internal remains of butchered animals contain substantial amounts of glucosamine. As a part of entrees, cartilaginous offal are often used in soups and stews.
Fortified Drinks
Several specialized nutrition drinks, such as Joint Juice and Minute Maid Active, contain beneficial amounts of glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and chondroiton. MayoClinic.com recommends consuming up to 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine hydrochloride daily by taking dietary supplements or consuming fortified drinks with glucosamine listed as an ingredient. Glucosamine hydrochloride is generally used to fortify beverages and foods. To avoid drug interactions or unanticipated side effects, consult a registered dietitian or physician before using fortified specialty foods.
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