Glucosamine Drink
There are many forms of glucosamine available on the market today, including glucosamine drink. Is one form of glucosamine more advantageous than another?
Glucosamine Uses and Benefits
Glucosamine is one of the more common and beneficial dietary supplements used by adults in the US today. What is glucosamine and how does it work? Glucosamine, apart from glucosamine drink, is a simple amino sugar, and part of the structure of polysaccharides (which are long carbohydrate molecules) chitosan and chitin which are biochemically very similar.
These two elements come from the outer skeletons of certain shellfish including crab and lobster, but can also be extracted from the fermentation and chemical altering of certain grains including corn.
Glucosamine is a popular supplement rather than pharmaceutical drug, which is a likely reason it is so highly researched at this point in time. The FDA cannot regulate supplements. And, in advertising, supplements cannot make sweeping health claims to cure or treat any disease or conditions. However, research does SUGGEST that glucosamine in any form, including the glucosamine drink, may help alleviate many conditions, most prominently including osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine Drink Benefits
One of the reasons glucosamine drinks have gained so much popularity is that because like glucosamine tablets and capsules, glucosamine drinks contain the active ingredient that researchers have found may help improve the structure and function of cartilage in the bones. People suffering from osteoarthritis have discovered that glucosamine and glucosamine sulfate or hydrochloride may benefit by taking daily glucosamine to improve the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis.
Traditional treatment approaches only treat the pain and swelling of osteoarthritis. Why might a glucosamine drink be better? Because it may attack the root of the problem. Regular supplementation with a glucosamine drink may result in improved long-term health because it may actually work to restore bone health and grow new cartilage and connective tissue. There is no prescription drug on the market today that can make health claims to do that. Most prescription medications only work to cover up symptoms rather than treat the root of disease.
You can bet pharmaceutical companies want in on a piece of that pie. Right now research is focusing on gathering radiologic evidence that supports this claim, but there isn’t enough evidence to fully support this. There are plenty of testimonials however, supporting ongoing use of glucosamine in clinical studies. Further research is necessary to support the use of glucosamine drink in research, but odds are this will be the next step in research.
References:
Samson DJ; Grant MD; Ratko TA; Bonnell CJ; Ziegler KM; Aronson N. Treatment of primary and secondary osteoarthritis of the knee. Evid Rep Technology Assess Full Rep. 2007 Sep 157:1-157. PubMed. Available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18088162
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