Glucosamine provides the raw material for our bodies to maintain and repair the components critical for healthy joint mobility and function. It is a beneficial therapeutic supplement in osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints of the body.
Glucosamine sulphate and glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) are the stable forms of glucosamine supplement used in tablets and capsules.
Recommended Glucosamine Dosage
1500 mg of glucosamine per day is the usual recommended dosage for treating osteoarthritis. This can be taken in a single dose or divided into two or three doses taken through the day. A more accurate method of determining individual dosages, as recommended by some studies, is to take 20 mg glucosamine per kilogram of bodyweight.
Research indicates the best approach is to continue glucosamine supplements for minimum one to three months duration to obtain optimal results. Long term use is considered safe in adults, and in fact studies indicate a probable sustained clinical effect. This makes sense in terms of the increasing need for glucosamine with aging, and its intrinsic role in maintaining joint health.
Effective Glucosamine Supplement Combinations
Glucosamine is sometimes combined with other nutrients, particularly chondroitin, Omega 3, MSM and Boron.
Preliminary findings from the GAIT study in the USA show that supplementing glucosamine and chondroitin in combination is more effective in treating osteoarthritis than supplementing only one or the other of these nutrients. Outcomes conclusively showed improved pain relief for people suffering moderate to severe osteoarthritic joint pain.
Combining glucosamine sulphate with Omega 3 has been proven to significantly improve pain reduction outcomes compared with taking glucosamine sulphate on its own.
Boron is another essential nutrient in cartilage and studies show people with osteoarthritis are deficient.
