Focus on glucosamine

What is glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring aminomonosaccharide that is a major component of the glycosaminoglycans forming the connective tissue matrix. It is taken up by chondrocytes and incorporated into proteoglycans secreted into the extracellular matrix. Radioactively-labelled glucosamine is incorporated into many tissues (including cartilage) within four hours of ingestion.

Glucosamine is available as a sulfate or hydrochloride salt. Most research has used the sulfate salt, but both are well absorbed compared with sodium chondroitin sulfate (less than 10% of which is absorbed). The hydrochloride salt is purer and should therefore be more potent; however, the recommended dose is the same.