Glucosamine is one of the most abundant monosaccharides Produced commercially by the hydrolysis of shellfish exoskeletons or, less commonly, by fermentation of a grain such as corn or wheat. Glucosamine is a natural compound found in cartilage — the tough tissue that cushions joints In supplement form, glucosamine is harvested from shells of shellfish or made in a lab. Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is a building block for various compounds in the body, notably in cartilage It is naturally present in the fluid around joints, where it helps to maintain elasticity and strength.
Glucosamine is a natural substance It is found in a fibrous material called chitin It makes up the outer shells of shellfish and insects Glucosamine and chondroitin have been studied as a therapy for hip and knee osteoarthritis in multiple trials with conflicting results. Glucosamine is used by the body to make other chemicals that build tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the fluid that surrounds joints Joints are cushioned by the fluid and cartilage around them.
It is extracted from chitin (in shells of crabs, oysters, and shrimp) and is taken in tablet or capsule form, usually as glucosamine sulfate, but sometimes as glucosamine hydrochloride. Shellfish, in particular, are an excellent source of glucosamine, with crustaceans like shrimp, crab, and lobster being among the richest sources.
OPEN
