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Jenny B.
Jenny B. Sendmail

Glucosamine? What does it do for you?

asked 10 months ago | Report

Who uses glucosamine? Does is make your joints feel better? What kind/how much do you take?

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9 answers

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  • Chris M.
    Chris M. Sendmail

    I just started taking it myself. I picked it up at GNC.
    Glucosomine 500mg and Chondroitin 400mg in each capsule. Directions say to take 3Xcapsules per day and they aren't small capsules.

    answered 10 months ago |Report

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  • Lenny G.
    Lenny G. Sendmail

    It's a general amino sugar that gets used for a variety of products your body synthesizes. The theory for supplementation is that it helps maintain joint cartilage and improve arthritis symptoms. Clinical trials have shown it to be "safe" (in that it won't cause immediate toxicity) however there is conflicting literature in that it can be harmful if recommended dosages are exceeded. I remain skeptical that it provides no real benefit (aside from possible placebo effect).

    answered 10 months ago |Report

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  • Stu F.
    Stu F. Sendmail

    We have been giving it to our elderly pug to help with here arthritis. I started taking taking them a couple weeks ago and think it's helped with my knees.

    answered 10 months ago |Report

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  • Trevor J H.
    Trevor J H. Sendmail

    I've been using it regularly for over a year. I take 1500mg glucosamine with chondroitin. Based on the literature that I've found, the evidence is shaky as to whether it provides benefit, but most studies show that it's harmless. There are some reported dosages that are quite high that have no reported additional benefit than taking 1500mg. My thinking is this: If it's doing nothing, the worst that will happen is I'll have mildly more expensive pee. If it IS helping, then that's an investment in longevity.

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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  • Kevin L.
    Kevin L. Sendmail

    It drains your bank account.

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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  • Keith M.
    Keith M. Sendmail

    Here's my (somewhat lengthy) glucosamine story:

    A few years ago I had knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. An old friend of mine (a surgical recovery nurse with ~20 years experience) suggested I take glucosamine to prevent future issues with the repaired knee. So I started taking it twice daily. Recovery from the surgery could not have gone better, and I've not had any problems since.

    Of course, this doesn't prove anything. However...

    For many years I've had issues with my right elbow stemming from a football injury sustained when I was a kid. The elbow does not extend fully, often emits popping & grinding noises, and is generally stiff & painful every morning.

    A couple of months after I started taking glucosamine, I noticed that most of my elbow problems had disappeared -- no popping, no grinding, no stiffness, no pain. The only remaining problem is the reduced range of motion, but that's a mechanical issue.

    Again, this still doesn't prove anything, but I'm convinced it does provide at least some benefit to me. As always, your mileage may vary.

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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  • Mike D.
    Mike D. Sendmail

    I take Glucosamine 500mg and Chondroitin 400mg once a day. I started taking it years ago when I had creaky knees and it did provide some benefit, allowing me to run longer distances.

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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  • Umut Can C.
    Umut Can C. Sendmail

    I used it but my knees keeps killing me.

    answered 7 months ago |Report

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  • John C.
    John C. Sendmail

    the jurys out but basic views are it has little benificial effect

    answered 7 months ago |Report

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