• Will glucosamine help all joint-related problems?
• Why should I choose Glucosamine Sulphate instead of another type of glucosamine?
• Why is sulphur required in a joint supplement?
• What is the NACl and the 2KCl in Glucosamine Sulphate supplements?
• Can I use glucosamine when I take other medication (such as heart or blood pressure medicine)?
• I'm allergic to Sulpha Drugs. Will Glucosamine Sulphate hurt me?
• I'm diabetic. Can I take glucosamine even if my doctor says I can't?
• Are there any known side effects with glucosamine?
• I'm taking an anti-inflammatory medication. Can I still use glucosamine?
• Can someone overdose on glucosamine?
• Does it interfere with any other therapy or treatment?
• Will I have to use glucosamine for the rest of my life?

Will glucosamine help all joint-related problems?

In regards to Glucosamine Sulphate, we can confidently answer yes. Glucosamine Sulphate allows the body to heal and improve the joint health in almost all situations. Note: Glucosamine Sulphate is NOT a cure or complete solution for rheumatoid arthritis.

Why should I choose Glucosamine Sulphate instead of another type of glucosamine?

Over 40 years of studies worldwide – done independently and by raw ingredient manufacturers, academia, and nationally recognized associations (NIH, AMA & AVMA being the biggest) – have been done on Glucosamine Sulphate (Note: SULPHATED form). More than 350 scientific investigations and research articles exist, with over 50 of those studies being double-blind clinical trials. We know of only one such study that was done specifically on Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCl). The research has proven that Glucosamine SULPHATE supplementation can provide the body with the raw material to help repair and regenerate its cartilage, improving the health of the joints, halt further cartilage destruction, and even reverse negative effects in a high percentage of cases.

Glucosamine Sulphate is widely accepted as an effective treatment for arthritis and osteoarthritis, whereas a clinical study done on Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCl), the form used in most supplements, showed that it has very limited success in helping people with osteoarthritis.

Glucosamine has been proven safe and extremely effective IN THE RIGHT FORM. Caution is given when listening to anyone that continually refers to "glucosamine" without a "last name" (form). Most "professionals" only have the basic training in the field of nutrition. Many perfectly good general practitioners, brilliant surgeons, and otherwise incredible doctors haven't spent much time reading or evaluating the massive amount of research articles, abstracts, and studies associated with the differences in "glucosamine" and the various other ingredients commonly used in arthritis and joint supplements. While others have seen or heard enough to know it works, they don't know or understand the differences.

Why is sulphur required in a joint supplement?

Sulphur plays a key role in maintaining the structural integrity of cartilage and is required to form the glucosamine chains within the body. Glucosamine knocks on the cell wall, but it is sulphur that opens the door. Without the sulphur molecule, glucosamine is only fractionally beneficial to the body. Without the Chondroitin Sulfate added to supplements that use Glucosamine HCl, that type of glucosamine has little to no chance within the body. It relies on the body to exchange the HCl molecule with a sulphate molecule in order to function within the body.

What is the NACl and the 2KCl in Glucosamine Sulphate supplements?

If you look at the back of a bottle of Glucosamine Sulphate, you'll usually see some letters tagged onto the end of the name, NACl or 2KCl (lower case "L" on both). The first is sodium chloride, and the second is potassium chloride. These mineral salts are used as a stabilizer for the Glucosamine Sulphate. Although they both appear to be effective stabilizers, the use of KCl is preferable since the average Western diet already provides far too much salt (NaCl), but not enough potassium. Therefore, it is the healthiest one to take. Please be aware that though some may claim that you should take a Glucosamine Sulphate supplement without the NACl or 2KCl, this is absolutely NOT true. Also untrue is that 2KCl is table salt. As stated above, 2KCl is potassium, the same thing that is in foods such as bananas. By contrast, the NACl in some Glucosamine Sulphate supplements is, indeed, the same thing as table salt.

Can I use glucosamine when I take other medication (such as heart or blood pressure medicine)?

Yes. Unlike many prescription medications, you generally don't have to worry about negative interactions between glucosamine and any drugs you may presently be taking. There are patients being treated for diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, cancer, HIV, and virtually every common disease, aliment, and problem who are taking glucosamine on a regular basis without problems or negative side effects. Only in the case of IBS and insulin dependent diabetes must caution be used. (See below for more details.) In one clinical trial, it was determined that people with peptic ulcers and those taking diuretic drugs were more likely to experience side effects like mild, reversible gastrointestinal problems than other individuals.

I'm allergic to Sulpha Drugs. Will Glucosamine Sulphate hurt me?

No, absolutely not. Individuals allergic to sulfates and sulfite compounds can safely take Glucosamine Sulphate since the sulphur in it refers only to the mineral sulfur, to which no living person is allergic (sulphur is found in every cell in the human body). It's highest concentration is in red meats and dark green vegetables. The "Sulpha" drugs were a synthetic sulphur, to which an estimated 35% of the human population is allergic.

I'm diabetic. Can I take glucosamine even if my doctor says I can't?

MD's Choice has dozens of diabetic customers that use their glucosamine products without any problems. Glucosamine (of any type) is not presently known to be contra-indicated (bad) in diabetic people. However, it is an amino sugar, so insulin dependent diabetics may require specific directions for use. A small percentage of insulin dependent diabetics react to amino sugars (estimated at about 2%). Some of these diabetics are able to successfully use glucosamine without a raise in their blood sugar levels only if they take no more than 1 capsule at a time, no closer than 2 hours apart. If you monitor your blood sugar levels, try one capsule to see if there are any spikes in your blood sugar levels. If you don't notice any, then try two capsules (waiting at least two hours). Don't just jump into the full dose. If in doubt, seek another doctor's opinion.

That having been stated, a report in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism (Pouwels, MJ, et al, 2001: 86, 5,: 2099-2103) concluded that, ". . . even when glucosamine was infused directly into the brachial artery of 18 healthy subjects, there was absolutely no evidence of blood sugar irregularities or disruption of insulin secretion." Note: 18 subjects aren't a lot, and these people were described as "healthy" (and not specifically diabetics). So, while this study is important to "normal" healthy people, the relevance it has to a person that has active blood sugar control issues is uncertain.

You must understand that the average medical doctor only receives one or two semesters on nutrition during all of their schooling. Less than 1% of the doctors in the U.S. have any serious nutritional training in their background, although more of the newer doctors are getting nutrition in their education. It is, therefore, very possible that your doctor is not aware of all the details and studies done on Glucosamine Sulphate in regards to its effects on diabetics. A specialist in nutrition may be able to give you a more accurate answer.

Are there any known side effects with glucosamine?

No, other than what is stated with IBS and insulin-dependent diabetics (see above for more details) and a possible chance of mild, reversible gastrointestinal issues, particularly in people with peptic ulcers and those taking diuretic drugs.

I'm taking an anti-inflammatory medication. Can I still use glucosamine?

Yes, you can take glucosamine concurrently with prescription and non-prescription anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen.

If you have been using anti-inflammatories (or painkillers) for a prolonged period of time, you may need to "wean" yourself off them over a period of several weeks (verses "cold-turkey", which is NOT recommended).

Please note that certain steroids and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) actually BLOCK or inhibit the body's ability to use glucosamine and sulphur.

Also important to note is that misuse, overuse, and/or abuse of steroids (such as Yucca) can not only actually inhibit the bodies ability to repair itself, but can also cause harm with daily prolonged use.

Can someone overdose on glucosamine?

No, a human being can not take enough glucosamine to overdose. What your body doesn't use will pass through it.

Does it interfere with any other therapy or treatment?

No. Hundreds of people being treated for a wide variety of problems and health issues are presently taking glucosamine products without any adverse interactions. Because it is natural to the body, Glucosamine Sulphate does not carry the same dangers of side effects and negative interactions that synthetic prescriptions drugs do.

Will I have to use glucosamine for the rest of my life?

That's entirely up to you. Remember that it took years for your joints to get into the condition they are in and that every day of your life you are continuing to use and, sometimes, overuse your joints. To maintain the health of your joints throughout your life, it is recommended that you use glucosamine as a regular dietary supplement. Most people are able to maintain joint health on half the recommended daily dosage within 2 to 4 years of beginning supplementation. Furthermore, if you have an injury or serious joint problem while on Glucosamine Sulphate, the average person heals 25 to 50% faster than a person with the same problem not using it. Simply raise the current dose to a treatment level during the healing period. So, if you want to continue seeing the benefits of improved joint health, then you should remain on glucosamine permanently.