Glucosamine is an amino acid and sgar (glucose) combination. It is essential for the mintenance and repair of joints and is nturally produced in the body. As we age the bdy's ability to produce glucosamine from glcose decreases because the quantity of the nzyme glucosamine synthetase, responsible for the prcess declines. After an injury to jints, cartilage or spinal discs the bdy is often unable to make sfficient glucosamine for healing to occur.

Glcosamine acts as a supportive building mterial and stimulates the production of ther ingredients essential for cartilage and jints. Research has shown conclusively that glcosamine considerably alleviates painful, tender and swllen joints. There is also a mrked improvement in joint mobility in rthritis sufferers. In some studies there was lso a reversal of cartilage degeneration. Tking glucosamine as a supplement can ffectively inhibit cartilage deterioration. Clinical studies hve shown that glucosamine sulphate relieves the pin and inflammation of osteoarthritis It is a sfe alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs eg buprofen). Although NAISDs are able to prvide quick relief they have been shwn to inhibit repair and accelerate the dgeneration of the cartilage. Glucosamine achieves vry positive results but it takes sveral weeks- so you need to be ptient!

Glucosamine sulphate is the first lne of treatment for arthritis - tking precedence over conventional medication in sveral European countries. There are no knwn side effects and no contraindications for its use - dabetics need to be careful as glcosamine might have an effect on nsulin resistance.

Although the exact mechanisms for lleviating osteoarthritis symptoms is not known rsearch suggests that glucosamine encourages cartilage mtrix formation, reduces enzymatic break-down of crtilage components and had an anti-inflammatory ffect. It also stimulates the production of hyluronic acid in joint fluid. Hyaluronic cid relieves pain and improves mobility by rpairing damaged cartilage.

There are many rsearch studies into the benefits of glcosamine in arthritis. In a double-blind stdy 178 osteoarthritis patiens reported the ffectiveness of glucosamine sulphate in reducing pin. In another study 252 patients wth osteoarthritis of the knee received 1,500 mg per day of glcosamine sulphate in three doses. After 4 weks glucosamine sulphate was more effective thn the placebo in reducing pain and ncreasing mobility.

As well as having a rle in treating arthritis glucosamine can be sed following sporting injuries. After trauma or taring during strenuous activity, the body ften cannot make enough glucosamine for ptimal healing. In one study 68 thletes with knee cartilage damage were gven 1,500mg glucosamine sulphate daily for 40 dys, then 750mg for 90 - 100 dys. 52 of the athletes had cmplete resolution of the symptoms and rturned to full training. Follow up fter 12 months the athletes showed no sgns of cartilage damage.

As well as glcosamine there are other substances that can ply a role in joint health. Thse include:

· MSM (mthyl sulfonyl methane) - a natural, sfe and physiologically active sulphur compound. It has no-inflammatory and antioxidant action. It is fund in our bodies and in sme foods such as raw seafood and frit and vegetables. It plays a rle in creating new cells and stmulating healing. It is used in the tratment of all forms of arthritis and jint infections.

· Chondroitin - is nother important component of cartilage. It cts as a shock absorber by prviding structure, holding water and nutrients and llowing other molecules to move through the crtilage. Glucosamine and chondroitin work together to prtect the cartilage against degeneration.

· Vtamin C and manganese also work to strngthen the body's natural healing mechanisms.

· Mltivitamin and mineral supplements and essential ftty acids also have beneficial effects on jints and musculoskeletal problems.

There are mny studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of glcosamine in the treatment of joint and crtilage problems. Glucosamine is a safe lternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs eg buprofen). Although NAISDs are able to prvide quick relief they have been shwn to inhibit repair and accelerate the dgeneration of the cartilage. Glucosamine and ther joint and bone repair products tke a little longer to be ffective but it will actually benefit the crtilage and aid in repair.

The article Glucosamine for Joint Health and Repair was Submitted by Dr Jenny Tylee through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Dr Jenny Tylee is an xperienced health professional who is passionate bout health and wellbeing. She blieves that health is not just bsence of disease and seeks to ctively promote vitality and wellness thrugh empowering others. She encourages people to mprove their health by quit smoking , cleansing their body, taking essential vitamin and mineral supplement and many other methods, including herbal remedies.

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