If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard of a relatively new over-the-counter remedy called Glucosamine. But what is Glucosamine, and how does it work to relieve arthritis? In this article, I'll introduce you to this new treatment and provide you with the pros and cons of its use. By the time you've finished reading this article, you'll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not Glucosamine is right for you.
What is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine, together with a related ingredient called Chondroitin, are substances which exist naturally in your body. It is believed that glucosamine helps to build and repair cartilage (the soft, spongy material between your joints), while chondroitin lends to the elasticity and flexibility of joints. A deficiency of either one can lead to increased wear and tear on the joint, and cause redness, swelling and stiffness as a result. When used together, glucosamine and chondroitin act as a tag-team of arthritis fighters, improving flexibility, soothing inflammation and reducing swelling caused by achy joints.
Where Can I Buy Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements? You can find these products in virtually any pharmacy or health goods store. The downside to this is, like other herbal and alternative medicines, supplements are not regulated by any governing body. That's why you'll need to do a little bit of research to find the best, most potent brand for your needs. Here's what you need to know when comparison shopping for a glucosamine supplement:
? You should expect to pay anywhere from $1-3 per pill when taking glucosamine daily. Since insurance companies rarely cover supplements of any kind, you'll most likely be paying for them out of pocket.
? Read the ingredients label on the bottle to determine the dosage. Approximately 1500mg of glucosamine and 1200mg of chondroitin have been safely used in clinical trials. Depending on your individual medication tolerances and the severity of your arthritis, you should consult your physicial or rheumatologist to find the right dose for your individual needs.
? Select supplements manufactured by a well-known, reputable company. Recommended brands include: Osteo Bi-Flex, WholeHealth, Flex-A-Min, MoveFree and individual pharmacy brands.
Are There Any Side Effects I Should Know About? As with any medication or supplements, there are a few warnings you should know:
? If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, as no long-term studies have been done to gage what materials (if any) are passed on to the baby either internally or through breast milk.
? If you are diabetic, chondroitin (a form of sugar) may cause your blood sugar to rise.
? Chondroitin also acts as a mild blood thinner. Therefore, if you are taking any heart medication or are taking an aspirin regimen, have your blood clotting time checked more frequently by your doctor.
? Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements should not be taken by children since no studies have been done to determine their effect (if any) on the child's development.
(Please note: The information contained within this article is not intended to replace or substitute for that of an experienced physician. Remember to check with your doctor or rheumatologist before starting daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, and don't stop or reduce any of your current medications (whether they're for arthritis or not) without first talking with your doctor).
Emily Clark is editor at lifestyle health news and lifestyle health news where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.
monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..While America has given birth to the song "Young at... Read More
As consumers, we are faced daily with choices about what... Read More
If you're constantly digging your hand into a jar of... Read More
Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid was first isolated from lemons... Read More
Vision is one of our most precious senses. Without it... Read More
L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by... Read More
A 2003 study by the Health Sciences Department of the... Read More
Parents always tell their children to take their vitamins. Every... Read More
Antioxidant vitamins perform many important tasks that our bodies benefits... Read More
In a perfect world, your children would eat a balanced... Read More
Ideally, humans would eat wholly nutritious diets rich in protein,... Read More
With all of the exciting things people are seeing in... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the health... Read More
I've been feeling a tired and slow lately. Just don't... Read More
A popular mineral today, coral calcium, is mainly calcium, but... Read More
Is there an alternative to statin drugs such as Lipitor... Read More
Made from cow's milk, whey protein is a pure, all-natural,... Read More
Anti aging has become the latest craze.Wherever we look at,... Read More
Coral Calcium is an excellent source of readily accessible and... Read More
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone, but most widely referred... Read More
As with most nutrients and minerals, zinc is often ignored... Read More
Over recent years, mens herbal health care has become big... Read More
We have all heard that it is important to eat... Read More
It would seem that everyone is looking to squeeze the... Read More
Vitamin B6 is the hardest working nutrient in the human... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..Coral Calcium is an excellent source of readily accessible and... Read More
Coenzyme Q10 has exploded onto the health scene. This powerful... Read More
It is clearly evident that hyaluronic acid in its oral... Read More
At times, due to your busy and fast life, we... Read More
Nutritional supplements can play a key role in the health... Read More
There are two basic types of constipation - organic and... Read More
L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that the human body cannot produce... Read More
Did you know?? 20% of Australian children reported symptoms of... Read More
Fitness Supplement ? what is it?The term "fitness supplement" is... Read More
Because whey protein products have a wide variety of uses... Read More
The more I study health and fitness, the more convinced... Read More
Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect... Read More
Your body produces over 20 separate digestive enzymes that are... Read More
Considering that the Health and Wellness industry is currently a... Read More
Ideally, humans would eat wholly nutritious diets rich in protein,... Read More
Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it... Read More
Amino acid supplements and amino acid food intake can bring... Read More
Does this describe you: You walk into the living room... Read More
Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to... Read More
Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More
Nutrition Supplement ? nutrition.Nutrition supplement is a term familiar to... Read More
AMLA ( EMBLICA OFFICINALIS ) FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTYAMLA, proudly... Read More
Selenium is a type of trace mineral which supports healthy... Read More
"High-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |