Glucosamine
Specialty
Amino sugar marketed for joint pain and osteoarthritis.
Form: Tablet
Recommended intake: 1500 mg/day (typically split)
Benefits
May modestly reduce knee osteoarthritis pain over 6+ months of use.
Warnings
Shellfish-source preparations may trigger allergies. Caution in diabetics — possible mild blood sugar effects.
Description
Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage proteoglycans. Evidence is mixed; some patients with mild-moderate knee osteoarthritis report pain relief. Often combined with chondroitin sulfate.