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2). Synthesised from Shellfish source
Glucosamine Hydrochloride can also be synthesised
from a protein taken from shellfish. Generally speaking, shellfish allergy is
caused by other constituents within the shellfish. D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride
(HCL) is synthesised from the protein therefore it's considered to be much safer
than the sulphate versions, especially for people who have a shellfish allergy,
but again, it would still be better to opt for the new Regenasure vegetable source
HCl.
The different types are also discussed on the "Which
product should I choose" Page - (link at the bottom of this page)
Glucosamine is available in
the following forms:
- Pure Powder
- Capsules
- Tablets / Caplets
- Liquid (Joint Formulas)
Pure powder
Pure Powder is the most bioavailable and economical
form of Glucosamine. Simply add the powder to a drink or take on the spoon.
Pure Capsules
Capsules without any bulking ingredients or flow
agents are good.
Tablets
Tablets always contain binding and bulking
agents so usually contain much less of the actual working ingredient.
Liquid joint formulations
Liquid joint formulations are good however you
are often paying for the suspension liquid when it's the Glucosamine that does
the job! So it's best to buy pure powder and add it to a liquid of your choice!
What does it taste like?
Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCl) is naturally
sweet tasting with a hint of bitterness - hard to describe but not at all unpleasant.
The new Regenasure Glucosamine HCl, tastes like
sweet caramel - definately the nicest tasting Glucosamine to date.
Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCl tastes sweet and
very slightly fishy! Something like very, very mild prawn cocktail crisps, again
with a touch of bitterness.
The bitter / sweet combination sounds like a contradiction.
It's a unique taste but certainly not unpleasant.
Glucosamine Sulphate NaCl tastes slightly salty
and fishy.
Side Effects
At the suggested adult dosage of 1,500mg per day,
adverse effects have been limited to mild, temporary gastrointestinal upset e.g.
nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea and dyspepsia), and, rash, drowsiness,
headache and insomnia. In one trial, people with peptic ulcers and those taking
diuretic drugs were more likely to experience side effects. (Ref 1)
In 1999 the first case of an allergic reaction
to oral Glucosamine Sulphate was reported (Ref 2). Allergic reactions to this
supplement appear to be rare.
Pregnant or Lactating Mothers - Should not to be
used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding due to lack of data on long-term
safety.
If you have a reaction or one of the symptoms mentioned
above, stop taking the supplement and consult your G.P.
Links with Diabetes
People with diabetes should consult with a doctor
and have blood sugar levels monitored if they are taking glucosamine.
Animal research has suggested the possibility that
glucosamine could contribute to insulin resistance (Ref 3,4). Theoretically, this
could result from the ability of glucosamine to interfere with an enzyme needed
to regulate blood sugar levels (Ref 7). However, available evidence does not suggest
that taking glucosamine supplements will trigger or aggravate insulin resistance
or high blood sugar (Ref 8). Two large, 3-year controlled trials found that people
taking Glucosamine Sulphate had either slightly lower blood glucose levels or
no change in blood sugar levels, compared with people taking placebo. (Ref 9,10)
Until more is known, people taking glucosamine
supplements for long periods may wish to have their blood sugar levels checked.
High Blood Pressure
Some Glucosamine Sulphate is processed with sodium
chloride (salt), which is restricted in some diets (particularly for people with
high blood pressure).
Contraindications
At the time of writing, there are no known drug
interactions with glucosamine.
Alternatives to Glucosamine
If you've tried the different forms of Glucosamine
and they didn't suit you then try MSM. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) has a much
smaller, biologically active sulphur molecule than any of the glucosamines and
rarely causes an allergic reaction!
Natural pine tree source MSM is highly bio-available
according to radio-labelled studies. Again, it's important to check the source
as most MSM is manufactured from petrochemical source
Recommended MSM Manufacturers - Distilpure natural pine tree source MSM.
References
1. Tapadinhas MJ, Rivera IC, Bignamini AA. Oral
glucoseamine sulfate in the management of arthrosis: report on a multi-centre
open investigation in Portugal. Pharmatherapeutica 1982;3:157-68.
2. Matheu V, Bracia Bara MT, Pelta R, et al. Immediate-hypersensitivity
reaction to glucosamine sulfate. Allergy 1999;54:643-50.
3. Virkamaki A, Daniels MC, Hamalainen S, et al.
Activation of the hexosamine pathway by glucosamine in vivo induces insulin resistance
in multiple insulin sensitive tissues. Endocrinology 1997;138:2501-7.
4. Rossetti L, Hawkins M, Chen W, et al. In vivo
glucosamine infusion induces insulin resistance in normoglycemic but not in hyperglycemic
conscious rats. J Clin Invest 1995;96:132-40.
5. Houpt JB, McMillan R, Wein C, Paget-Dellio SD.
Effect of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of pain of osteoarthritis
of the knee. J Rheumatol 1999;26:2423-30.
6. Drovanti A, Bignamini AA, Rovati AL. Therapeutic
activity of oral glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis: a placebocontrolled
doubleblind investigation. Clin Ther 1980;3:260-72.
7. Barzilai N, Hawkins M, Angelov I, et al. Glucosamine-induced
inhibition of liver glucokinase impairs the ability of hyperglycemia to suppress
endogenous glucose production. Diabetes 1996;45:1329-35.
8. Russell AI, McCarty MF. Glucosamine in osteoarthritis.
Lancet 1999;354:1641; discussion 1641-2 [letters].
9. Rovati LC, Annefeld M, Giacovelli G, et al.
Glucosamine in osteoarthritis. Lancet 1999;354:1640; discussion 1641-2.
10. Reginster JY, Deroisy R, Rovati L, et al. Long-term
effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled
clinical trial. Lancet 2001;357:251-6.
11. Vaz AL. Doubleblind clinical evaluation
of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management
of osteoarthritis of the knee in outpatients. Curr Med Res Opin 1982;8:145-9.
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