Old man gripping his knee in pain

3 Amazing Benefits of Glucosamine For Arthritis

What are some of the benefits of glucosamine for arthritis?

  1. Slows down the deterioration of cartilage
  2. Relieves osteoarthritis pain
  3. Improves joint mobility
Many people take supplements like glucosamine for arthritis and osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is extracted from the shells of different types of shellfish. This speeds up the formation of chondroitin in the joints of the elbow, knee, shoulders, toes, and fingers. While the body naturally produces chondroitin, supplements can be consumed to increase its production. Glucosamine is also designed to help support the building of cartilage. With that being said, here are some of the benefits of glucosamine for arthritis, especially for aging individuals.

Slows Down the Deterioration of Cartilage

A doctor using a bone sculpture to explain arthritis As a person ages, the cartilage becomes less flexible and may break down in time. Cartilage is the tissue that cushions joints. It makes movements smoother and easier. It naturally disappears as a person grows older. As aging cartilage deteriorates, it can cause severe soreness. For those who experience their cartilage wearing out, the physical toll can be felt on the rest of the body. Glucosamine has the ability to slow down the process of joint deterioration. It is believed that sulfur is found in glucosamine. Once the sulfur is absorbed by the body, it goes directly to the cartilages wherein building and repairing occurs almost instantly. Such sulfur is called glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine sulfate can be found in supplements. Consuming such supplements may not immediately build cartilage, but like most vitamins, effectiveness takes time as the body adjusts to the process.

Relieves Osteoarthritis Pain

A man clutching his knee in pain while walking outside Chondroitin, like glucosamine, is a compound naturally found in healthy cartilage. Both provide additional pain relief for elderly people with knee and hand osteoarthritis. As mentioned beforehand, the effectiveness usually takes time but the results can be really amazing. For some who have tried and tested supplements rich in glucosamine, improvements start to show in approximately 3 months. Many commercial dietary supplements that have been classified as chondroitin and glucosamine are considered effective especially for knee osteoarthritis. Glucosamine has also been proven to provide the same pain relief as a placebo, which is a pill that does not contain any medicinal components. Placebo came from the placebo effect, which means a patient or a person aging expects to feel better and so they do. A study showed a comparison between patients with chronic lower back pain caused by osteoarthritis taking placebo and glucosamine. The group who were given a placebo and the other group who took glucosamine generated the same level of improvement.

Improves Joint Mobility

An asian woman doing yoga on the beach Since glucosamine works to build and repair the cartilages, it means the tissue that cushions the joints are regenerated. This can make it easier for you to move. If you ever experience picking up an object from the ground and find it difficult or painful to stand back up, then it is a sign that your joints are slowly losing cartilage tissue. Supplements rich in glucosamine and proper exercise as well as diet are said to improve the joints’ mobility. Especially for those who have knee and hip osteoarthritis. Glucosamine sulfate is a readily available supplement that shows significant signs of improvement for the hip and knee joints. Many claim that the supplement can improve and relieve the pain caused by deteriorating or thinning cartilage. While some experts are quite skeptical about the capability of glucosamine sulfate in improving joint mobility, it is still considered a safe alternative for pain relievers. It is most effective and true for mild or less severe cases of arthritis. For those who already have it on a critical level, the effects are yet to be proven.

Key Takeaway

Since glucosamine is a component that serves as a building block for a variety of other functional molecules in the body, it primarily aids in developing and maintaining cartilages between the joints. While there is glucosamine applied topically in the form of a cream or salve, taking the pill form will allow the body to absorb it easily. The best form of glucosamine for arthritis can be obtained from Puritan’s Pride: These supplements boast of three popular ingredients including glucosamine, chondroitin, and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a dietary supplement that relieves joint pain and reduces inflammation.