Glucosamine and chondroitin each play a crucial part in keeping your cartilage healthy. People with osteoarthritis suffer from cartilage degeneration and sometimes take dietary supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin in an effort relieve their symptoms naturally. Diabetics are more likely than the general population to have joint disorders like osteoarthritis, according to MayoClinic.com. It’s okay to try glucosamine and chondroitin with controlled type 2 diabetes, but first consult your physician to avoid adverse reactions.
Glucosamine
The human body naturally produces glucosamine. You can also take it as a dietary supplement, frequently found alongside chondroitin on the ingredient list. Glucosamine helps build the connective tissue and cartilage between your joints. Some osteoarthritis sufferers take glucosamine hoping to repair and grow cartilage. Results from several studies provide conflicting evidence of the efficacy of glucosamine treatment to reduce pain, improve function and reduce joint swelling in patients with osteoarthritis, according to information from the University of Maryland Medical Center. The glucosamine in dietary supplements typically comes from the exoskeletons of shellfish.
Chondroitin
Just like glucosamine, chondroitin occurs naturally in your body’s cartilage. It absorbs fluid into the cartilage to keep it healthy and helps your body produce new cartilage. People take chondroitin to alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis. However, various scientific studies on chondroitin produced conflicting results, according to information from the University of Maryland Medical Center. The chondroitin in dietary supplements typically comes from cows or algae.
Safety for People with Diabetes
Glucosamine is safe to try for patients with diabetes, according to Craig Williams, PharmD, and published in the January 2009 issue of the magazine “Diabetes Forecast,” but your should check with your health provider first. Williams explains, some diabetics “may experience slight changes in blood glucose” so extra monitoring of your blood sugar would be prudent while taking glucosamine.
Information from the Physicians’ Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements advises glucosamine is “likely safe” for certain diabetics. Specifically, patients who have their diabetes under control using diet or using only one or two medications. Additionally your HbA1c test result – which shows the average amount of sugar in your blood – should be less than 6.5 percent.
Blood Sugar Control
A high intravenous dose of a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin does not affect blood sugar control of diabetics in the short term, according to a review of qualifying scientific studies from the University of Colorado and published in the December 2006 issue of the medical journal “Clinical Inquiries.” However, first round data suggests in undiagnosed or untreated diabetics, glucosamine and chondroitin may make blood sugar tolerance worse.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Glucosamine; June 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Chondroitin; December 2008
- Diabetes.org; Is Glucosamine Safe for Me?; Craig Williams; January 2009
- “Clinical Inquiries"; Do Glucosamine and Chondroitin Worsen Blood Sugar Control in Diabetes?; Peter D. Marshall, et al.; December 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Bone and Joint Problems Associated With Diabetes; April 2011
