The connective tissue disk that acts as a cushion and eliminates friction in your joints.  It also forms the hair, skin, nails, eyes, tendons, bones, ligaments and heart valves.  As we age our ability to make glucosamine decreases and loss of glucosamine decreases the integrity of cartilage.  in joints, that results in less support, cushioning and more friction, like wear-and-tear injury.  Glucosamine also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help the joint to repair itself after injury.

Studies show that glucosamine supplementation improves joint function and decreases pain in individuals suffering from osteoarthritis.  Glucosamine can decrease the destruction of cartilage that occurs when arthritis sufferers use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  Natural health practitioners also recommend glucosamine for joint injury, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, bursitis, tendonitis and skin problems.

Glucosamine can be found as encapsulated powder. It comes in two forms glucosamine sulfate and hydrochloride, both of which are effective.  It is usually combined with chondroitin sulfate but can also be found with MSM and collagen.  Glucosamine is found as a component of pain relieving and anti-inflammatory formulas.

Glucosamine has no toxicity associated with it.  Glucosamine may cause stomach upset in some very sensitive individuals, but this is quite rare.  Some glucosamine is sourced from shellfish and individuals with shellfish allergies should use caution when choosing a glucosamine supplement, otherwise for the general population the shellfish source is an excellent type to use. Glucosamine may need to be taken for three months before results are seen, but some may see results in the first couple of weeks.