Dietary Supplements aka Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements: are vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances meant to improve your diet

Glucosamine Sulfate

Glucosamine is a compound naturally found in cartilage in the body. and is an important part of joint health. It is found in the fluid that surrounds joints as well as in tendons and ligaments. It is harvested from the shells of shellfish as well. Glucosamine Sulfate has commonly been used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, especially within the knee. It is commonly consumed with chondroitin, which is produced from articular cartilage. In fact, glucosamine is an active ingredient in most creams used to control and treat arthritis pain.

When the fluid and cartilage surrounding joints begin to break down, individuals suffer from pain and stiffness. That is why Glucosamine Sulfate is often recommended as a natural way to help alleviate this pain. The following conditions have responded well to Glucosamine Sulfate supplements:

Crohn’s disease
diabetes
glaucoma
inflammatory bowel disease
leg swelling
osteoarthritis (especially of the knees)
osteoarthritis of the knee
rheumatoid arthritis
skin ulcers
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis
ulcerative colitis
varicose veins
weight loss

Glucosamine Sulfate is considered relatively safe for adults. A daily recommended dose is 500 to 1,500 mg each day. Glucosamine Sulfate is not recommended for children or those who are pregnant or nursing.

More information on Joyntflex™ with Glucosamine Sulfate

Although rare, certain side effects have been reported such as heartburn, nausea, constipation and diarrhea. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid Glucosamine Sulfate. Additionally, those with asthma, diabetes and certain allergies should avoid taking Glucosamine Sulfate. Do not take Glucosamine Sulfate if you are currently taking warfarin for blood clotting, diabetes medications or certain cancer medications. Consult your physician before taking Glucosamine Sulfate.

Nutraceuticals are food supplements with medical health benefit, including the prevention and treatment of disease. The term was coined in the late 1980’s by Dr. Stephen DeFelice, M.D., founder and chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine. Such foods also commonly are referred to as functional foods, signifying they and or their components may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. While all foods are functional in that they provide nutrients, nutraceuticals contain health promoting ingredients or natural components that have a potential health benefit for the body.

Bio Scientists have identified hundreds of compounds with functional qualities, and they continue to make new discoveries surrounding the complex benefits of phytochemicals in foods. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties.

Most often, nutraceuticals are simply natural. The FDA regulates nutraceuticals in the same way they regulate all foods, the safety of ingredients must be assured in advance, and all claims must be substantiated, truthful, and nonmisleading. Most members of the medical community are in acceptance of the health benefits of nutraceuticals. However, there is concern over products entering the consumer markets not following FDA guidelines and lacking adequate effacy and safety data.

When considering what vitamins, minerals and supplements to put in your body, you should be cognizant of where and how you purchase your products. Taking poorly manufactured or counterfeit products can be extremely dangerous. Do not risk your health and safety on a product you are unsure about. Make sure that you take time to learn about accreditations and affiliations associated with the group you are purchasing from.

FDA - Food & Drug Administration

Fully licensed with the FDA. The FDA is responsible for promoting health in the public through regulation and supervision of any dietary supplements, foods and medications. Only products deemed safe for public consumption are licensed through the FDA.

NSF – National Safety Foundation

A core principle in the manufacturing of all health related products is to follow good manufacturing practices (GMP) set out by the FDA. The NSF is an independent organization in which certifies NSF GMP certified manufacturer of vitamins, nutraceuticals, nutritional supplements and dietary products. The NSF Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Registration for contract manufacturers and internal manufacturing facilities of dietary supplement companies enables contract manufacturers to become independently registered by NSF as complying with GMP requirements as listed in Section 8 of NSF/ANSI Standard 173-2008. These requirements are consistent with the published GMP regulation for dietary supplements as defined in 21 CFR § 111, which was published by the FDA in May 2007

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The FDA has outlined Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are guidelines that provide a system of processes, procedures, and documentation to assure the product produced has the identity, strength, composition, quality, and purity that it is represented to possess. Products such as ours that are certified under these guidelines are manufactured only under the highest-quality processes.

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Natural Products Association

The nation’s largest and oldest non-profit organizations dedicated to the natural products industry. The U.S. department of agriculture regulates and sets standards for the use of the term “natural” and “organic”. Only products that are absolutely, 100% natural or organic can receive certification and approval from the Natural Products Association. We are proud to offer only the most natural products.

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The National Institute of Health, (NIH), also is an excellent resource for information on Herbs & Supplements.

Information on Glucosamine Sulfate as published at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/807.html

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE are as follows:

Likely effective for...

Osteoarthritis. Most research on glucosamine sulfate has measured its effectiveness on osteoarthritis of the knee. However, there is some evidence that it might also help osteoarthritis of the hip or spine.

Some research suggests that glucosamine reduces pain of osteoarthritis in the knee about as well as the over-the-counter pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol). It also seems to reduce pain about as much as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and piroxicam (Feldene). But there is a difference between glucosamine sulfate and these drugs in the time it takes to reduce pain. The NSAIDs, such as Motrin, Advil, and Feldene, relieve symptoms and reduce pain usually within about 2 weeks, but the glucosamine sulfate takes about 4-8 weeks.

Glucosamine sulfate does not seem to decrease pain in everyone who takes it. Some people get no benefit. Some research shows that glucosamine sulfate might not work very well for people with more severe, long-standing osteoarthritis, or for people who are older or heavier.

In addition to relieving pain, glucosamine sulfate might also slow the breakdown of joints in people with osteoarthritis who take it long-term. Some researchers hope that glucosamine sulfate might keep osteoarthritis from getting worse as quickly as it otherwise might. There is some evidence that people who take glucosamine sulfate might be less likely to need total knee replacement surgery.

Possibly effective for...

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis. TMJ is the joint in the jaw that dentists often check for clicking and proper alignment. It can be a factor related to jaw pain, chewing, yawning, and talking. Some research shows that taking glucosamine sulfate works about as well as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, etc) for relieving jaw pain. In some people, pain relief appears to continue for up to 90 days after glucosamine sulfate is discontinued.

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...

Glaucoma.
Weight loss.

More evidence is needed to rate glucosamine sulfate for these uses.

How does it work?

Glucosamine sulfate is a chemical found in the human body. It is used by the body to produce a variety of other chemicals that are involved in building tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the thick fluid that surrounds joints.

Joints are cushioned by the fluid and cartilage that surround them. In some people with osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down and becomes thin. This results in more joint friction, pain, and stiffness. Researchers think that taking glucosamine supplements may either increase the cartilage and fluid surrounding joints or help prevent breakdown of these substances, or maybe both.

Some researchers think the “sulfate” part of glucosamine sulfate is also important. Sulfate is needed by the body to produce cartilage. This is one reason why researchers believe that glucosamine sulfate might work better than other forms of glucosamine such as glucosamine hydrochloride or N-acetyl glucosamine. These other forms do not contain sulfate.

Are there safety concerns?

Glucosamine sulfate is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately by adults.

Glucosamine sulfate can cause some mild side effects including nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation. Uncommon side effects are drowsiness, skin reactions, and headache. These are rare.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy or breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable scientific information available to know if glucosamine sulfate is safe to take during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Until more is known, do not take glucosamine sulfate while pregnant or breast-feeding.

Asthma: There is one report linking an asthma attack with taking glucosamine. It is not known for sure if glucosamine was the cause of the asthma attack. Until more is known, people with asthma should be cautious about taking products that contain glucosamine.

Diabetes: Some early research suggested that glucosamine sulfate might raise blood sugar in people with diabetes. However, more recent and more reliable research now shows that glucosamine sulfate does not seem to affect blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Glucosamine appears to be safe for most people with diabetes, but blood sugar should be monitored closely.

Shellfish allergy: Because some glucosamine sulfate products are made from the shells of shrimp, lobsters or crabs, there is concern that glucosamine products might cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to shellfish. But allergic reactions in people with shellfish allergy are typically caused by the meat of shellfish, not the shell. There are no reports of allergic reactions to glucosamine in people who are allergic to shellfish. There is also some information that people with shellfish allergy can safely take glucosamine products.

Are there interactions with medications?

Major

Do not take this combination.

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. There are several reports showing that taking glucosamine sulfate with or without chondroitin increases the effect of warfarin (Coumadin), making blood clotting even slower. This can cause bruising and bleeding that can be serious. Don't take glucosamine sulfate if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin). Many natural medicines can interact with warfarin (Coumadin).

Moderate

Be cautious with this combination.

Medications for cancer (Antimitotic chemotherapy)

Some medications for cancer work by decreasing how fast cancer cells can copy themselves. Some scientists think that glucosamine sulfate might increase how fast tumor cells can copy themselves. Taking glucosamine sulfate along with some medications for cancer might decrease the effectiveness of these medications for cancer. Any person who is receiving chemotherapy should talk with their health provider before taking glucosamine sulfate.
Some of these medications are etoposide (VP16, VePesid), teniposide (VM26), and doxorubicin (Adriamycin).

Minor

Be watchful with this combination.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)

There is some concern that taking glucosamine sulfate and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) together might affect how well each works. But more information is needed to know if this interaction is a big concern. For now, most experts say it is okay to use both together.

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

There has been concern that glucosamine sulfate might increase blood sugar in people with diabetes. There was also the concern that glucosamine sulfate might decrease how well diabetes medications work. However, research now shows that glucosamine sulfate probably does not increase blood sugar in people with diabetes. Therefore, glucosamine sulfate probably does not interfere with diabetes medications. To be cautious, if you take glucosamine sulfate and have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar closely.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Are there interactions with foods?

There are no known interactions with foods.

What dose is used?

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

Osteoarthritis: 1500 mg once daily or 500 mg three times daily.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis: 500 mg three times daily.

Other names

2-Amino-2-Deoxy-Beta-D-Glucopyranose, 2-amino-2-deoxyglucose sulfate, Amino Monosaccharide, Chitosamine, D-Glucosamine, G6S, Glucosamine, Glucosamine Sulfate 2KCl, Glucosamine Sulfate-Potassium Chloride, Glucosamine Sulphate, Glucosamine Sulphate KCl, Glucosamine-6-Phosphate, GS, Mono-Sulfated Saccharide, Sulfate de Glucosamine, Sulfated Monosaccharide, Sulfated Saccharide, Sulfato de Glucosamina.

Glucosamine Hydrochloride and N-Acetyl Glucosamine are different than Glucosamine Sulfate. For information on these different products, see the Glucosamine Hydrochloride and N-Acetyl Glucosamine listings.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. You should consult your physician before starting any new supplement, diet or fitness regimen.