-glucosamine --my mom uses this for osteoarthritis pain

[Guest guest]

Hi , My mom uses glucosamine & says it keeps her osteoarthritis

pain under control. From what I understand, it can take some time

before it starts to help with the pain. A link and article are

below. sheila

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Glucosamine.htm

Alternate names & forms: Glucosamine sulfate, Glucosamine

hydrochloride, N-acetyl glucosamine.

Glucosamine is a molecule made of glucose and an amine that is

produced naturally in the body. It stimulates cartilage cells to

produce two proteins that help to hold joint tissue together,

proteoglycans and collagen. More from your Guide below

It may also prevent the breakdown of collagen.

As people age, their bodies are less able to produce glucosamine,

which results in cartilage being less flexible.

Source

Glucosamine is usually not obtained directly from food. It is made

in the body from building blocks found in foods. Glucosamine

supplements are manufactured from chitin, a substance found in

shrimp, crab, and lobster shells.

Dosage

There are three main forms of glucosamine: glucosamine sulfate,

glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine. They are sold

in capsule, tablet, liquid and powder forms, often in combination

with chondroitin.

Glucosamine sulfate contributes sulfur, which helps with the

strength of collagen in the joints. For this reason, many people

prefer using glucosamine sulfate over other forms of glucosamine.

A typical dosage of glucosamine is 500 mg three times a day. It

usually takes up to six weeks for results to be noticed.

Therapeutic Uses

Glucosamine is primarily used to treat osteoarthritis. Research

indicates that glucosamine is as effective as low doses of

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. It appears to

relieve pain and improve movement. It also slows the progression of

the disease and protect joints from further damage. In some studies,

x-rays have shown that glucosamine prevents progressive damage to

the joints.

Safety

Glucosamine appears to be safe for people and many animals.

People with diabetes and blood sugar conditions should only use

glucosamine under the guidance of a health professional, as there is

some concern that glucosamine may raise blood sugar levels and

increase the risk of long-term side effects in people with diabetes

and blood sugar disorders.

~ Wong

[Guest guest]

do you think glucosamine would also help for RA?

THanks Sheila for all the posts!!

----Original Message Follows----

From: " Kemal And Sheila Kalajdzic " <kemalandsheila@...>

Reply-hypothyroidism

hypothyroidism

Subject: -glucosamine --my mom uses this for

osteoarthritis pain

Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 18:16:08 -0000

Hi , My mom uses glucosamine & says it keeps her osteoarthritis

pain under control. From what I understand, it can take some time

before it starts to help with the pain. A link and article are

below. sheila

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

hi karen, i don't know if it will help for RA. from what I've read, there

haven't been any studies on it.

Here's the link where I got the info below

http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/alternative/gscs.html

At this time there are no indications that glucosamine or chondroitin have any

benefit for any other type of arthritis. It has been studied only in OA.

you might want to check out this site and see if you can find anyone with RA who

has had luck with glucosamine. they have a lot of info here.

i hope you find something that will help your mom.

hugs, sheila

K a r e n P <karlynn17@...> wrote:

do you think glucosamine would also help for RA?

THanks Sheila for all the posts!!

----Original Message Follows----

From: " Kemal And Sheila Kalajdzic "

Reply-hypothyroidism

hypothyroidism

Subject: -glucosamine --my mom uses this for

osteoarthritis pain

Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 18:16:08 -0000

Hi , My mom uses glucosamine & says it keeps her osteoarthritis

pain under control. From what I understand, it can take some time

before it starts to help with the pain. A link and article are

below. sheila

_________________________________________________________________

Get rid of annoying pop-up ads with the new MSN Toolbar – FREE!

http://clk.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200414ave/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

-I've been taking glucosamine and chondroiton sulfate for over 3

years now--also with collagen in it for my knees and a doctor

actually told me to take this. I would have to say my knees are

better considering they were telling me I needed new knees and I

still have the old ones.

But you have to take it everyday and I bought the kind that was

powder form that I put into coffee everyday. I really could not go

without this stuff and now Costco is not carrying it. They just have

the pill form, but I think the powder worked so well.

It was one of those three things that did the trick--so I don't know

which one or a combo of all three. But I have to say when I take

thyroid glandular just one pill and it's such a small dose --my knees

don't crack --it's the weirdest thing---

But I can't take thyroid everyday I started to get a tiny bit hyper

so I must not have a big enough of a problem---so now I take it every

other day for the OA benenfit. And it does help.

So if you can get your mom on armour that may be the best bet.

Because this glucosamine does work but it takes months and it's not

cheap. I was spending $20 a month just on the powder and I would run

out. But it might have really helped?? Only way for me to tell is to

go back and compare new xrays to old ones.

RA is supposed to be more of a inflammation problem--and that is

something you can fight back with anti-inflammatories (the natural

kind in foods) Pineapple really worked for me when I had CFS.

Even drinking the juice is a benefit!!--I know though a lot of sugar--

but it works.

-- In hypothyroidism , " K a r e n P " <karlynn17@h...>

wrote:

> do you think glucosamine would also help for RA?

> THanks Sheila for all the posts!!

>

>

> ----Original Message Follows----

> From: " Kemal And Sheila Kalajdzic " <kemalandsheila@y...>

> Reply-hypothyroidism

> hypothyroidism

> Subject: -glucosamine --my mom uses this for

> osteoarthritis pain

> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 18:16:08 -0000

>

> Hi , My mom uses glucosamine & says it keeps her osteoarthritis

> pain under control. From what I understand, it can take some time

> before it starts to help with the pain. A link and article are

> below. sheila

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get rid of annoying pop-up ads with the new MSN Toolbar – FREE!

> http://clk.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200414ave/direct/01/