Glucosamine Powder is an externally administered product, that is sold as a dietary supplement in the market. It is important to take note that Glucosamine Powder is not considered a pharmaceutical drug. Thus, it cannot be prescribed as a treatment of a medical disorder and is only prescribed in certain conditions to aid the patient to recover.
Major and minor ingredients of the product:
The primary ingredient of the product is Glucosamine is a naturally occurring amino sugar found mainly in the fluid around joints which is also one of the most abundant monosaccharides. The other ingredients glucosamine is incorporated with are shark cartilage, MSM, and mainly the chondroitin sulphate.
Uses of Glucosamine Powder:
Glucosamine Powder is administered orally by patients for a number of medical purposes, a few of them are mentioned below.
- It is found to play an active role in the maintenance of cartilage and joints. Therefore, Glucosamine powder is mainly given to patients with osteoarthritis (OA) especially osteoarthritis of the hip and/ or knee. Studies and reports suggest that the supplement can lower osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness, and the swelling of joints. It may also improve functioning in people with hip osteoarthritis, and can provide relief from such symptoms for up to 3 months after the cessation of treatment.
- The supplement may also be prescribed for conditions such as like glaucoma, unexplained weight loss, pain in joints resulting from drug intake that lower levels of estrogen, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), multiple sclerosis (MS), jaw pain (Temporomandibular Disorder) and back pain.
- It may also be prescribed to patients with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and to aged people with weak cartilage and joints.
How does it work?
Glucosamine sulfate is a naturally-occurring chemical found in the human body. Its major function is to boost the production of different chemicals involved in body processes such as the synthesis of ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and synovial fluids that surround the joints.
Joints are surrounded by the cartilage and the synovial fluid. In conditions like osteoarthritis, the cartilage tends to become thin and break down which in turn leads to other issues. By making use of Glucosamine Powder, not only can one aid the synthesis of new cartilage at a faster rate but also slow down its deterioration.
Minor Side effects of Glucosamine Powder:
Side effects of Glucosamine Powder are rare and not severe in nature. However, there are a few unwanted effects such as:
- It may cause mild nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation, and diarrhea.
- Some people have also reported to experience drowsiness, headaches, and signs of an allergic skin reaction.
According to reports and studies, it is estimated that only a handful of people fall prey to these side effects and many users do not even experience any side effects at all.
Precautions to take:
- Glucosamine may interact negatively with Warfarin. A number of reports suggest that Glucosamine enhances the effect of warfarin which is an anti-clotting agent. This could lead to serious bleeding after an injury that may even prove fatal.
- It also reacts negatively with cancer and antidiabetic Hence, it is important to consult your healthcare provider to determine if it is safe for you or not, by providing them with your medical history and current diagnostic reports and medicines, if any.
- It is advised not to use glucosamine during pregnancy unless and until your doctor asks you so.
- Take timely and balanced doses, do not overdose.
- Keep out of reach of children, extreme heat, sunlight, and
