Studies on glucosamine as a cream serve up mixed reviews. While your best bet is for a liquid, if you absolutely must use a glucosamine cream, use one with menthol or camphor mixed in as well. Menthol and camphor have a analgesis (pain numbing) effect that can help with joint pain. The main point is not if glucosamine is effective - we know it is. The question is how much glucosamine is actually absobed through the skin? Studies on glucosamine absorption are very limited and as of yet are not comprehensive. Common sense would dictate that glucosamine that is swallowed is absorbed far faster and more complely than cream glucosamine. Many glucosamine cream products actually list the glucosamine as an inactive ingredient! So what form is best based on what we know today?
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Please note: you should not ever
actually attempt to eat or consume Glucosamine creams, for
many of them can be toxic if swallowed. When it comes to the form of Glucosamine you take, the two
most important factors are the form and the dose size. Pills
simply are not a great alternative either. Pills contain Glucosamine
that is bound to many extraneous fillers and stabilizers,
and is difficult for the body to process and digest. Glucosamine creams can in some cases be of moderate benefit but generally become more effective with additional drugs such as menthol and camphor. Pure
Liquid Glucosamine contains homogenized pure Glucosamine,
without wasteful binders and fillers and is the preferred form to take. Liquid Glucosamine leads to far greater
absorption, more relief, less waste and much better results.
Liquid Glucosamine also has the added benefit of working
faster than pills, due to the faster absorption. Instead of
waiting months in some cases, Liquid Glucosamine starts working
within 7 to 14 days for most people. If you manage to get
any relief at all from creams, it is likely due to the other
ingredients in the cream and not the Glucosamine. In some
more severe cases, it may take up to 3 or 4 weeks to see its
effectiveness, but the effects are going to be stronger and
last longer than other drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Be sure to visit the Glucosamine
Product Guide for a review of commercially available glucosamine
products broken down by 9 different categories such as price per month, quality and type. Learn what the best products out there are
and how we ranked each.
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