What Are the Benefits of Glucosamine?

The benefits of glucosamine include reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is a substance that is naturally produced by the human body and it helps build cartilage, which is the tissue that helps cushion joints. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the cartilage that can occur as a result of wear and tear or injury, and is commonly a condition of advancing age. Osteoarthritis can cause significant pain and immobility, and the major benefits of glucosamine when treating this condition are reduction in pain and increased mobility.

Other benefits of glucosamine include relieving symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. This condition can cause severe abdominal pain, and cramping and diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two inflammatory bowel conditions where the benefits of glucosamine may show the most promise. Glucosamine can help to decrease bowel inflammation and resultant pain and diarrhea. Prior to taking glucosamine for inflammatory bowel disease or other inflammatory conditions, the health care provider should be consulted to determine if this supplement is safe to take for the condition.

Since glucosamine is a dietary supplement, it does not go through extensive safety evaluations in the way that medications do. Although glucosamine is considered to be relatively safe when taken under the supervision of a health care provider, and in recommended dosages, side effects can occur. Common side effects from glucosamine include nausea, diarrhea and bloating, Gas, indigestion, heartburn and stomach upset can also occur. Taking this supplement with food might help minimize side effects and make it more tolerable.

Some glucosamine supplements can contain excessive amounts of potassium and sodium, so those on potassium- or sodium-restricted diets should discuss taking them with their health care providers. Also, people who have diabetes should closely monitor their blood sugar levels, because taking glucosamine can cause their diabetes medications to be less effective in controlling their glucose levels.

Frequently, glucosamine is taken in combination with chondroitin. These dietary supplements can be purchased at most drug and grocery stores, at nutrition stores and most family retailers. These supplements are available without a prescription, but they can interact with some prescription medications such as those used to thin the blood, and insulin. The standard dosage of glucosamine is 500 mg, three times per day.

People suffering from osteoarthritis or other inflammatory conditions may notice a significant improvement from their symptoms after only a couple weeks. These benefits generally are more pronounced when glucosamine is taken in conjunction with prescription medications for these conditions. It is important for the health care provider to evaluate the individual's prescription medications and determine how the addition of glucosamine will influence his particular inflammatory medical condition.