Joint disease shouldn’t be disregarded because it can happen to anyone and make them immobile and helpless. This brought the advent of many bone and joint pain relievers.
How Glucosamine Can Help?
People with joint pain have learned that glucosamine can help relieve osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It’s a natural fluid found in the human body, animal bones, shellfish, fungi, etc., that builds the cartilage to cushion the joints and ease movement. It is made as a supplement, and you can get them from over-the-counter as:
- Glucosamine sulfate
- Glucosamine hydrochloride
- N-acetyl glucosamine
Moreover, it can be made synthetically, and it helps to reduce cartilage damage and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis and other joint diseases. As a result, many people have been worried about how long glucosamine takes to treat the joints. It could be because they want to get back to their sporting activities immediately or return to their various business that demands mobility. Yet, there are some things they need to know before putting high hopes on glucosamine.
Factors Influencing The Effectiveness And Time Frame For Glucosamine
Many factors can determine the speedy effectiveness of glucosamine, some of which include the following:
1. You’re not responsive to it
Glucosamine doesn’t quickly relieve pain, so don’t expect a magic touch when you take it. The usual period for it to be effective is eight weeks. However, if you’re still feeling the pain caused by osteoarthritis, then it shows that your body is slowly or not responding to it all. That shouldn’t discourage you and make you see it as ineffective because several reasons can be responsible for the slow recovery.
2. The kind of glucosamine used
Glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl-glucosamine are the three kinds of glucosamine, and they all vary in structure and chemical composition. The difference in these types can determine how the body will absorb and use them, including the duration for it to be effective.
- Glucosamine sulfate: It is often available and used for relieving bone and joint issues. It can be added with Omega-3 for better results. It can be taken orally as pills and capsules. However, it’s unsuitable for people sensitive to sulfate components.
- Glucosamine hydrochloride: Research reveals that it has a higher concentration of glucosamine and is perfect for individuals sensitive to sulfate components. It can even achieve better results in relieving joint-related issues.
- N-acetyl-glucosamine: Unlike the first two glucosamine supplements made from shellfish, this is made from non-animal sources like corn. It’s ideal for people allergic to shellfish, and studies reveal it’s also as effective as the other two supplements. Moreover, it’s allergy-free.
3. Dosage Considerations
Usually, the recommended glucosamine dosage for individuals is 1,500-3,000 mg daily; however, note that individual responses to the drug may differ. While some people will benefit from taking any glucosamine at once or in smaller doses, others will quickly recover from higher doses. The factors can determine the amount of dose a person will need:
- Health condition: You need a high dosage of any glucosamine supplement prescribed by your doctor if you have a severe joint condition like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The same applies if you have more severe joint conditions than the ones mentioned.
- Body weight: If you’re obese and have a joint condition, know your weight can worsen the symptoms. Therefore, you’ll be prescribed a higher dosage of any glucosamine supplement compared to someone with a lesser weight.
- Overall health status: Taking glucosamine when you have certain health conditions will make it ineffective or prolong its effectiveness. These health conditions include diabetes, asthma, bleeding disorders, hypertension, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Therefore, you can either avoid glucosamine or reduce its dosage to prevent side effects.
Moreover, you should comply with the doses prescribed on the supplement packaging or consult a doctor to guide you. Your doctor will ensure you take the proper dosage that will help you minimize or prevent any side effects after examining you.
Read More:- Is Magnesium Good For Joint Pain? Everything To Know About
Conclusion
Glucosamine is not a magic supplement that immediately relieves joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it can still be effective even though some people may not quickly recover within eight weeks due to many factors. Don’t forget to consult your doctor and ensure you are allergic to glucosamine supplements.
