I have a lot of companies that try to sell me supplements such as Glucosamine Sulfate and all kinds of other stuff.  I try to avoid any new products unless there are scientific studies that support their claims.  I do successfully treat a number of patients that have arthritis and I always suggest they use Glucosamine Sulfate.  I have previously written about this material and its role as an alternative treatment for arthritis.  There is some new research on this material that I want to share with you.  But first I want to refresh your memory.  Glucosamine Sulfate is one of the biological chemicals that form all of the major cushioning ingredients of the joint fluids and surrounding tissues. Glucosamine Sulfate and its associated macromolecules help to make the joint or synovial fluid thick and elastic, in joints and vertebrae.
 
Tissues in the joints can become damaged when these lubricating synovial fluids, which contain Glucosamine Sulfate, in the joint spaces become thin and watery. The normal cushioning is lost and consequently the bones and cartilage scrape against each other in the joint space. These problems can also occur in the spinal column where the individual vertebrae are stacked on top of each other, separated only by the cushioning disc. The space between the vertebrae is where many nerves leave the spinal cord, which increases the value of the cushioning fluid. Any injury to this part of the back can cause the gelatinous cartilage to soften. When this happens, pressure may be put on the nerves, causing damage and loss of nerve function. Glucosamine Sulfate helps increase the thickness of the gelatinous material, creating more support for the joints and vertebrae.

There have been numerous studies showing the beneficial effects of Glucosamine Sulfate and its relationship with the symptoms of Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. There are many over the counter medications to relieve Arthritis symptoms, yet conventional medicine has nothing to offer in terms of controlling or reversing the condition. In fact, a study done in the American Journal of Medicine (83(suppl.5A:29-34, 1987) showed there is evidence that long term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) actually accelerate joint destruction in patients with Osteoarthritis, by interfering with the body’s healing mechanism.   

Glucosamine Sulfate, which is naturally found in high concentrations in joint structures, appears to be one remedy that helps with Osteoarthritic causes and symptoms. Glucosamine Sulfate has been shown to exert a protective effect against joint destruction and is selectively used by joint tissues, exerting a powerful healing effect on arthritic symptoms (CurrMed Res Opin 7;105-9, 1980) In my office I have found that patients receiving Chiropractic manipulation who are taking Glucosamine do much better than either treatment alone.

Glucosamine Sulfate is not an analgesic or an anti-inflammatory agent, rather it appears to halt the disease process. Improvements occur more slowly with Glucosamine Sulfate than with over the counter arthritis medications (NSAIDs), but eventually Glucosamine overtakes the NSAIDs in terms of effectiveness. An example of this is one study that compared Glucosamine Sulfate to Ibuprofen. Pain scores decreased faster in the first two weeks in the Ibuprofen group. However, by the fourth week of the study, the group receiving the Glucosamine Sulfate was doing significantly better than the Ibuprofen group.  This was found in the Journal of Rheumatology 9:3-5, 1982.

In addition, Glucosamine Sulfate is virtually free of side effects and there are no known contra-indications. Glucosamine Sulfate is a stable tasteless and water soluble nutrient. It is readily absorbed from the intestines, stays in the blood for several hours and very little is excreted. In contrast conventional arthritis medications can cause relatively severe side effects.  And here is where the new information is.  An abstract presented at the American College of Rheumatology in Novemeber 2006 showed that while Glucosamine is well absorbed by itself when combined with any other product such as Chondroitin, the absorption decreased by 50%.  So when you go to the store to get your Glucosamine, just get the product by itself.  If you can’t find it, call my office and I will be happy to tell you where to purchase pure Glucosamine.  And don’t forget to add Chiropractic care for even better benefit.