| Glucosamine is a dietary supplement that lacks the damaging
side effects and long term toxicity of COX-2 inhibitors or NSAIDS
such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Great, you say. What else do I
need to know about it? Does it have any other side effects that
I need to be aware of?
So Just How Safe is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine is overall a very safe substance. It has been
studied clinically since the very early 80’s –
so people have been taking it safely for over 20 years. There
are only a few things you need to watch out for when taking
Glucosamine.
Shellfish Allergies
Because most Glucosamine is derived from shellfish (a few
manufacturers offer it derived from corn), you should consult
your doctor prior to starting Glucosamine therapy. If the
Glucosamine is pure but derived from shellfish, it is still
possible that people who are allergic to shellfish can take
Glucosamine. Because the allergic reaction is to proteins
in shellfish and Glucosamine is derived from Chitin, a carbohydrate,
it is generally ok to try Glucosamine under the guidance of
a doctor because the processing that takes place to extract
the Glucosamine destroys the proteins and the antigens that
the body would normally react to. However, the official recommendation
is that if you have an allergy to shellfish to avoid glucosamine.
Diabetics
Insulin levels with Glucosamine (HCL or Sulfate) can be subject
to fluctuations, particularly in diabetics. Glucosamine is
technically a carbohydrate (a sugar), but the body is not
able to convert Glucosamine into Glucose. Hence, Glucosamine
does not directly provide additional sources of Glucose. In
diabetic patients, many factors can lead to changing blood
levels and as a result it is very important to check with
your doctor prior to initiating Glucosamine therapy and to
be sure to be very careful about monitoring your blood sugar
levels while on Glucosamine. Read
the latest update on Glucosamine for Diabetics.
Pregnant / Lactating Women
Pregnant women should avoid Glucosamine. There have not been
enough long term studies on the fetus to clearly say that
Glucosamine is 100% safe for the developing fetus. There is
no evidence that it would be harmful but it would be best
to be safe in a situation such as this.
Overdose
Extremely high levels of Glucosamine (many times the daily
dose) can cause gastric fluctuations such as soft stools,
diarrhea or nausea. Glucosamine does not have to be taken
with meals but it would be convenient to mix with a drink
when you take it if you so desired.
Except for those above advisements, Glucosamine has a long
track record of being very safe, unlike the NSAIDS or COX
2 drugs, which have a long and very well known (to scientists)
history of being toxic you long term. Notice on the box of
aspirin how it states that it is for the temporary (not ongoing)
relief of arthritis pain. Not only are these foreign substances,
(Glucosamine is natural and in your joints right now) even
the later generation COX-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx® or
have some rather nasty potential side effects. Plus, NSAIDS
and COX-2 inhibitors do nothing but cover up the pain. If
you stop taking NSAIDS or COX-2 inhibitors, the pain quickly
comes back. Its still there, but your brain is numb to the
pain due to the effects of the drugs. With Glucosamine, there
is a residual effect. Even if you stop taking it, you will
still be protected for a period of time. Maintaining a daily
dose is the best way for maximum relief of joint discomfort
and joint protection, Glucosamine will be increasingly effective
for a long while granted you continue its administration.
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. |
