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.
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..1. Do not refrigerate vegetables and fruits (raw and uncut)... Read More
Iron supplement - why iron?Why people need to use iron... Read More
Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid was first isolated from lemons... Read More
At the rate it's going, Saw Palmetto will soon be... Read More
Since the 1960???s there have been numerous controlled clinical trials... Read More
Vitamin supplement ratings quite clearly show just how popular nutritional... Read More
Before you read the rest of this article I want... Read More
Have you ever purchased something thinking you had bought a... Read More
Do you ever wonder why the experts keep saying that... Read More
If you read my last article about bitter orange, it... Read More
PART TWOFor those of you that read my previous article... Read More
This article will reveal one easy change you can make... Read More
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a nutritional supplement derived from natural organic... Read More
A dose of vitamin C may give a quick boost... Read More
Vitamins, like minerals, are an essential part of the function... Read More
Should I Take Vitamins With My Low Carb Diet?Most low... Read More
Nutrition Supplement ? nutrition.Nutrition supplement is a term familiar to... Read More
Aging, a steady declineThe History of the world is filled... Read More
The multi-vitamin market is rich with choice. It's also very... Read More
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More
I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon... Read More
A deficiency of vitamins can lead to a variety of... Read More
Vitamin B is no small time player in the high... Read More
Did you know that when you take vitamins and minerals... Read More
It is important to understand that we are ultimately responsible... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..Did you know that when we breath oxygen, it interacts... Read More
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body... Read More
Sometimes I ask myself why this wonderful antioxidant supplement was... Read More
Lysine is an essential amino acid therefore it must be... Read More
A popular mineral today, coral calcium, is mainly calcium, but... Read More
Vitamins are an important part of a health diet. Unlike... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
Iron supplement - why iron?Why people need to use iron... Read More
Mineral Supplement ? be healthy.Why is mineral supplement so important?... Read More
Fetuses and infants simply must get enough omega-3 oils for... Read More
Antioxidants . . . The Nutrients Boost The Immune System... Read More
Creatine ? The most researched performance enhancing nutritional supplementDoes creatine... Read More
Anti aging has become the latest craze.Wherever we look at,... Read More
Rhodiola rosea is available commercially as a supplement and rhodiola... Read More
Both types of unsaturated fatty acids are contained within neuronal... Read More
Taurox is an excellent way to find true and healthy... Read More
What Is Thiamin?Known as Vitamin B1, thiamin was the very... Read More
Hyaluronic acid is available in a variety of products ranging... Read More
You may feel 30, but your body keeps reminding you... Read More
Your body produces over 20 separate digestive enzymes that are... Read More
Some fitness adherents are supplement crazy and spend money like... Read More
A deficiency of vitamins can lead to a variety of... Read More
ZMA is a scientifically designed anabolic mineral formula containing zinc... Read More
Hormones are chemical messengers made up of amino acids and... Read More
When selecting a brand of Colostrum, you should be sure... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |