MICROgenics^® Liquid Glucosamine 1500

What is glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a substance naturally produced in the body from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. It is a key building block for the production of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans which are substances that make up joint tissue including cartilage. Healthy cartilage covers and protects the ends of bones and allows them to move without friction. Glucosamine supplements are usually derived from chitin found in shellfish.

How valuable is glucosamine?

Numerous studies have found glucosamine supplements to be beneficial for the management of osteoarthritis (OA), a condition where there is degeneration of joint cartilage. Typical symptoms of OA include pain, swelling and loss of motion in the joint affected.

• A clinical trial involving 202 patients aged 45-70years with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis found glucosamine reduced joint pain and increased joint mobility after long-term treatment (3 years).¹
• A study involving 139 patients with knee osteoarthritis found glucosamine improved joint pain, function and also reduced further joint damage after 3 years of use.²
• A clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride compared to glucosamine sulfate in patients with knee osteoarthritis. 142 patients were randomized into 2 groups; patients received glucosamine hydrochloride 1440mg or 1500mg of glucosamine sulfate per day. There were no significant differences between the efficacy of both groups, showing glucosamine hydrochloride is just as effective as glucosamine sulfate.³

When could glucosamine start to work?

Symptomatic relief may take 2-3 weeks to establish, but joint protection effects may occur only with long term use over several years.⁴

1. Pavelka K, Gatterova J, Olejarova M, et al. Glucosamine sulfate use and delay of progression of knee osteoarthritis. Archives of internal medicine. 2002; 162 (18): 2113-2123
2. Reginster JY, Deroisy R, Robati LC, et al. Long term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet;. 2001; 357: 251 - 256
3. Qiu, G. X., X. S. Weng, et al. (2005). "[A multi-central, randomized, controlled clinical trial of glucosamine hydrochloride/sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis]." Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 85(43): 3067-70.
4. Braun L, Cohen M. Glucosamine: Herbs & Natural Supplements: An evidence based guide, 2nd Edition. Elsevier; Australia; 2007