Glucosamine
Every day your joints endure an enormous amount of stress from physical activity, 
including walking, lifting, and typing. Despite this heavy and constant use, we take our joints for granted and expect them to function trouble-free for several decades. However, more than 50 million people in the US and more than 6 million in Canada suffer from some form of joint problem. The situation is worse for athletes and those who have high amounts of physical stress at work and at home. Glucosamine, manganese, vitamin C and silicon are the building blocks for healthy cartilage. Used with turmeric can help reduce pain in the joints.
Cartilage is the protective layer that cushions and lubricates the joints. Over the years, the cartilage in our joints is gradually worn down due to normal physical activity. The body rebuilds the cartilage as it is worn and replaces shock-absorbing synovial fluid, so the joints are always protected. For various reasons however the production of new cartilage and synovial fluid can fall behind demand. Because of poor blood supply, lesions to the articular cartilage do not heal at the same rate as other tissue in the body; cartilage is rebuilt slowly. And if components of the substances used for cartilage repair are in short supply, the recovery from damage can be slowed even more.
Glucosamine, an aminosugar, is an important precursor in the biosynthesis of cartilage. Specifically, it is a building block of proteoglycans – protein molecules with a high content of bound carbohydrate. Proteoglycans and collagen compose the majority of the cartilage matrix. Proteoglycans are essential for healthy cartilage because they bind the water that lubricates and cushions the joint. When the articular cartilage degenerates, joint pain and osteoarthritis may result.
In addition to its role as a biochemical precursor, glucosamine is believed to play a role in regulating cartilage formation and normalising cartilage metabolism by encouraging higher production of collagen and proteoglycans. Glucosamine also stimulates synovial production of hyaluronic acid, which is responsible for the lubricating and shock-absorbing properties of synovial fluid.
Numerous double blind clinical studies have shown the efficacy of glucosamine supplements in maintaining healthy cartilage, healthy joints, and full range of motion in the sort-term. More recently, a three-year study was published showing that joint space increased in the glucosamine-treated group, while it continued to decrease in the placebo group indicating that the protective cartilage was better maintained in those who used glucosamine. Additional studies have demonstrated that glucosamine taken orally is well-absorbed and diffuses into tissues including the articular cartilage.
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