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 physician 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).
Arnel Ricafranca
Founder of Fitness VIP
Fitness Expert/ Qualified online personal trainer
http://www.fitness-vip.com
If you would like additional support and coaching along the way - I strongly suggest you take a peak at my online "member's only" site at http://www.fitness-vip.com - as what we have for you there can definitely help you make progress fast.
Visit http://www.fitness-vip.com for more articles.
housekeepers near Lincolnshire ...The Superbug MRSA which is becoming more common in Hospitals,... Read More
Unfortunately nobody can tell that question over the internet, but... Read More
Biological oxidation involves transferring electrons from one oxygen molecule to... Read More
Everyone has an occasional sleepless night, and this is not... Read More
A lot of people actually pay a good deal of... Read More
If glyconutrients are for real, why aren't they all over... Read More
For years now we have heard that supplementing our diets... Read More
If you're smart, you should not only be focused on... Read More
1. What supplements do you take?A multivitamin, Glucosamine-MSM-Chondroitin, Odorless Garlic,... Read More
1. Most of the modern western diets contain way too... Read More
Every minute of every day the cells of our... Read More
For women, calcium is one of the most important nutrients... Read More
Body Building Supplement ? what is it?The term "body building... Read More
Many years ago I became convinced of the need to... Read More
There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections... Read More
Throughout my childhood I was aware of the importance of... Read More
With a high cholesterol and heart disease in the family,... Read More
Can you treat a headache or stomach ache externally, without... Read More
Rarely has a fruit that has been so unknown to... Read More
If I read 1 good valid murder mystery book, would... Read More
The growing numbers of health conscious people today living more... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that the human body cannot produce... Read More
A lot of people take vitamins A, C, B and... Read More
We all know that vitamin C is one of the... Read More
While America has given birth to the song "Young at... Read More
reliable maid service Highland Park ...Rarely has a fruit that has been so unknown to... Read More
The body needs a minimum amount of vitamins and minerals... Read More
Beta-Glucan is an extremely potent, immune activating substance taken from... Read More
Finding out a little about amino acid basics enables you... Read More
Nitric oxide supplement has many benefits and there are many... Read More
Aging, a steady declineThe History of the world is filled... Read More
Anti aging has become the latest craze.Wherever we look at,... Read More
The Greek word "Glyco" means, "Sugar". Most people think of... Read More
Not many years ago the liquid vitamin supplement was unheard... Read More
Parents always tell their children to take their vitamins. Every... Read More
Bovine Colostrum is the form of "milk" taken from dairy... Read More
Supplement ? what is it?Supplement is a term that means... Read More
Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence,... Read More
L glutamine is an amino acid occurring abundantly within the... Read More
Did you know that when we breath oxygen, it interacts... Read More
It is well known and scientifically proven that vitamins and... Read More
I'm a great believer in natural tonics to strengthen or... Read More
Lipovarin ReviewSince the ban on ephedra based products in April... Read More
Have you heard of the herbal supplement with the very... Read More
BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly... Read More
Are you not feeling any results from your nutritional supplements?Here... Read More
It seems today that for every mood swing, inconvenient behavior,... Read More
PART TWOFor those of you that read my previous article... Read More
BROCCOLI Good Healthy Food, for Natural Healing, Good Health and... Read More
It's unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |