Glucosamine: Side Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate

What is Glucosamine
Glucosamine is an amino sugar occurring naturally in the body. Amino sugars are different from other body sugars as they form a part of carbohydrates. They are not a source of energy as other sugars, but help in maintaining body tissues including the cartilage. It helps in cartilage formation and repair. With increasing age, the body loses the capacity to produce enough glucosamine and the cartilage, mainly of the knees, deteriorates. The present cartilage hardens, forming bone spurs which cause immense pain and limits joint movement.

Since glucosamine is not present directly in any food source, it is available as a supplement commercially, being derived from chitin, found in the outer covering of shellfish such as lobster, crab, shrimp, and also in the marrow of chicken bones. Glucosamine is available commercially in three forms - glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetyl-glucosamine. Most commonly used glucosamine supplements contain glucosamine sulfate.

What is Chondroitin Sulfate
Chondroitin sulfate is a large protein molecule - proteoglycan - which gives and maintains cartilage elasticity.

Chondroitin supplements are prepared from animal cartilage like bovine trachea, porcine / shark cartilage.

Use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate
Glucosamine and chondroitin are joint supplements used in the treatment of osteoarthritis (the most prevalent type of arthritis). Both Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate as dietary and nutritional supplements have gained widespread use for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that they are similar or better in effect than any non-steroidal (NSAID) drug. It has been noted that glucosamine supplements have helped persons suffering from osteoarthritis from the following.

-- Reduced joint pain
-- Increased lubrication of the joints
-- Stimulating cartilage repair
-- Has anti-inflammatory properties

Side Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is well tolerated by most of those on clinical trials. In very rare instances the following side effects have been noticed.

-- Motor uneasiness
-- Feeling of tightness in the throat and chest
-- Slight breathing difficulty
-- Rash
-- Mild headache
-- Nausea
-- Diarrhea
-- Gastrointestinal pain
-- Slightly elevated blood pressure

All of these side effects could occur, but in very rare cases. The most common of glucosamine side effects that almost everyone faces is increased intestinal gas and soft stools.

Animal studies have shown that glucosamine could worsen insulin resistance, one of the major causes of diabetes. No such problem has been found in humans, but a diabetic on these supplements must monitor blood-sugar levels regularly while on the supplement.

Those who intend taking these supplements and also are on blood-thinning medication or aspirin therapy should consult their physician before taking these supplements.

Pregnant women and women intending to get pregnant should not take these supplements since the effects of these supplements on the growing fetus are not well known. Breast-feeding mothers too should avoid taking these supplements.

Children should not be given these supplements since the long-term effects are not well known.

The long-term effects of these supplements are currently being studied, but many physicians agree that the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate outweigh the side-effects when taken to cure / contain osteoarthritis.