Re: GLUCOSAMINE and Shellfish Allergies - Jen

[Guest guest]

Glucosamine is composed of crab, shrimp and lobster shells, while

chondroitin consists of cow cartilage.

I am wondering if anyone knows it this would be safe for me to take

since I am allergic to Crab, Shrimp and Lobster?

-----------------

Jen - here is your answer.

I am going to type out exactly what it says on this subject on pages

103 and 104 of " The Arthritis Cure - Revised Edition " by

Theodosakis, MD.

" Glucosamine and shellfish allergies:

Thousands of people in the United States have severe and sometimes

life-threatening allergies to shellfish products. (An allergy to

shellfish, by the way, is not the same as food poisoning that can

result from eating poorly handled shellfish!) People who are truly

allergic to shellfish react to a protein in the " meat " portion of

the shellfish. The vast majority of glucosamine products are

derived from the shells of shrimp, lobster and crabs, but the

protein isn't found in the shells. It is possible, however,

especially with lower quality manufacturers, that tiny bits of

protein fragments from the meat are retained in the finished

glucosamine product. In this rare case, it is then possible that a

person with a severe allergy to shellfish could suffer a reaction

from taking glucosamine. To date, I have not heard any reports of a

life-threatening allergy from taking glucosamine, but I have heard

of a few isolated cases of people with severe shellfish allergies

who developed a self-limited rash after consuming glucosamine.

If you have a know allergy to shellfish, don't experiment with

glucosamine unless specifically instructed to do so by your

physician. Chondroitin and ASU products are not derived from

shellfish. These should be considered alternatives to glucosamine

containing products in people allergic to shellfish.

Another viable option is a glucosamine product called Regenasure.

This is a vegetarian form of very pure glucosamine hydrochloride

that is created from a renewable resource and not from shellfish.

Products made exclusively with this form of glucosamine are not

required to carry a shellfish warning label. Regensaure is also a

good option for people who do not eat shellfish products for

religious or personal reasons. "

As info, I did a quick web search for Regenasure. It is made by

Cargill and seems to be fairly widely available through nutrition or

health food-supplement outlets. I am also copying Cargills 2003

press release as added info for you.

Cargill starts production of REGENASURE™ shellfish-free glucosamine

EDDYVILLE, Iowa – June 16, 2003 – Cargill officially launched

production of its corn-based REGENASURE™ glucosamine with a kick-off

celebration at its new Eddyville, Iowa production facility on June

5. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and a number of other state politicians

spoke at the event.

Glucosamine is a dietary supplement used by millions of consumers to

promote joint health. Currently, glucosamine is derived from

shellfish, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Cargill expects to start shipping non-shellfish REGENASURE™

glucosamine by the end of June. The REGENASURE™ product, made from

corn, is Kosher approved and is currently the only American-produced

glucosamine on the market. This will enable product developers to

broaden the scope of potential delivery systems without the current

concerns over shellfish derived material.

The Eddyville plant is HACCP/ISO 9002 certified. Gov. Vilsack

praised the operation as an example of the biotechnology industries

that Iowa wants to attract and nurture as building blocks for the

state's economic future. " Iowa's tomorrow is here today in

Eddyville, " Vilsack told state and community leaders and Cargill

employees at ceremonies to kick-off the new product. " A bio-economy

is based on renewable sources, " stated Vilsack. " Products such as

REGENASURE™ are making advances of nutrition available for the

world. "

The product was conceived, developed and brought to market by the

Cargill staff in Eddyville. " The demand for glucosamine,

REGENASURE™, will only continue to grow as the population ages and

becomes more concerned with joint health, " said Bill Gruber, Vice

President Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Cargill's Acidulant

business unit.

For more information on REGENASURE™ glucosamine, please call

1-888-REGENASURE or contact REGENASURE@....

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Thanks. I will look for Regenasure in the health food store.

Jen

>

> Another viable option is a glucosamine product called Regenasure.

> This is a vegetarian form of very pure glucosamine hydrochloride

> that is created from a renewable resource and not from shellfish.

> Products made exclusively with this form of glucosamine are not

> required to carry a shellfish warning label. Regensaure is also a

> good option for people who do not eat shellfish products for

> religious or personal reasons. "

>

>

[Guest guest]

And is the chondroitin (cow cartilage) organic and hormone free? (there

probably isn't an answer to that)

On 5/6/04 9:34 AM, " ceda " ceda > wrote:

>

> Subject: Re: GLUCOSAMINE and Shellfish Allergies - Jen

>

>

>

> Glucosamine is composed of crab, shrimp and lobster shells, while

> chondroitin consists of cow cartilage.

>

> Cargill starts production of REGENASURE™ shellfish-free glucosamine

[Guest guest]

And is the chondroitin (cow cartilage) organic and hormone free? (there

probably isn't an answer to that)

On 5/6/04 9:34 AM, " ceda " ceda > wrote:

>

> Subject: Re: GLUCOSAMINE and Shellfish Allergies - Jen

>

>

>

> Glucosamine is composed of crab, shrimp and lobster shells, while

> chondroitin consists of cow cartilage.

>

> Cargill starts production of REGENASURE™ shellfish-free glucosamine

[Guest guest]

And is the chondroitin (cow cartilage) organic and hormone free? (there

probably isn't an answer to that)

On 5/6/04 9:34 AM, " ceda " ceda > wrote:

>

> Subject: Re: GLUCOSAMINE and Shellfish Allergies - Jen

>

>

>

> Glucosamine is composed of crab, shrimp and lobster shells, while

> chondroitin consists of cow cartilage.

>

> Cargill starts production of REGENASURE™ shellfish-free glucosamine