Glycosamine sulfate

Glycosamine is aminosaccharide which is a part of such polysaccharides as chitosan and chitin, are one of the most widespread monosaccharides. In the nature the glycosamine contains in sinks of mollusks, and also bones of animals or marrow, some types of mushrooms. In case of production of additives it is received by means of hydrolysis of exoskeletons of Crustacea, is more rare by a sbrazhivaniye of wheat or corn grain. In the United States of America glycosamine sulfate is one of the most widespread nutritional supplements.

In the market two forms of glycosamine are had: hydrochloride and sulfate. The hydrochloride meets quite seldom, this salt doesn't differ by efficiency from sulfate.

Function in organism

As collagen and khondroitin sulfate, glycosamine can be made in a human body naturally. This substance is one of the main construction elements of connecting fabrics - a cartilage and the copular device. The glycosamine is a part of cellular membranes and proteins which are their part. The glycosamine connects cages among themselves, doing fabrics stronger and steadier against stretching.

Directly or indifferently glycosamine participates in forming or strengthening of the following fabrics:

• Cartilages (covers articulate surfaces)
• Sinews
• Sheaves
• Sinovialny liquid (performs food of a cartilage and greases articulate surfaces)
• Muscles
• Skin
• Bones
• Nails and hair
• Heart valves
• Blood vessels

Besides, the glycosamine is actively used for immune protection of an organism (interferon and immunoglobulins), is necessary for synthesis of hormones (gonadotrophin), enzymes and other important elements.

Use in sport

It is known that in bodybuilding, powerlifting and other heavy sports of a training are carried out with big scales which cause an overload of joints and sheaves and sinews. Researchers showed that the injured sheaves and articulate surfaces require considerably large numbers a sulfate glycosamine for preserving normal properties.

In addition to the testing of medicine connected with treatment of diseases of joints the research during which scientists revealed positive effects when using at athletes with knee joint pains was conducted. From here it is possible to draw a conclusion that additive will be useful also to other joints.

The first signs of dysfunction of a joint in case of sports activities: crunch, krepitation, pains, rigidity. In these cases it is necessary to begin acceptance of glycosamine and hondroitin. The same additives can be used for prevention of injuries, strengthenings of sheaves, and also acceleration of recovery after traumatized.

Efficiency of glycosamine is confirmed by independent researches:

• Herrero-Beaumont G, Ivorra JA, Del Carmen Trabado M, et al. (February 2007). "Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator". Arthritis Rheum. 56 (2): 555–67.
• Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, et al. (February 2006). "Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis". N. Engl. J. Med. 354 (8): 795–808.
• Dahmer S, Schiller RM (August 2008). "Glucosamine". Am Fam Physician 78 (4): 471–6.
• Besides, glycosamine is included into the list of dietary supplements with the established action according to the Russian Academy of Medical Science. (MP 2.3.1.2432-08: 4.3.8.1. Glycosamine sulfate), but it doesn't have official confirmation.

Medicines and additives

This monosaccharide is used for treatment of osteoarthritis. On sale glycosamine sulfate, and also a hydrochloride most often meets. In efficiency of distinction are absent as sulfate turns in digestive tract into a hydrochloride. One of the Best drug is Hondramin.

It is possible to meet as medicines with this substance (the European producers), and dietary supplements and sports food (are most often made in the USA). Distinction is that for production of medicines and dietary supplement various quality standards are used. Dietary supplements are made under less strict control, and most often have lower quality level. However medicines have the much bigger cost therefore their acquisition isn't profitable. Most often the glycosamine is a part of complex additives and medicines which also contain khondroitin sulfate and metilsulfonilmetan.

And qualities possess an optimum price relation sports additives:

• Bone Boost from SAN:
• Animal Flex from Universal Nutrition
• Glucosamine + CSA Super Strength from Optimum Nutrition
• Glucosamine Sulfate from Twinlab
• Ultimate Nutrition Glucosamine Chondroitin & MSM

Let's consider pharmaceutical options of additives with glycosamine, having stopped on "net" options (glycosamine + khondroitin):

• Komplivit Hondro from Pharmstandard
• Glycosamine – Hondroitin Plus from Solgar
• Artro - the Complex from AdMedicine
• Glycosamine Plas from Nutricare
• Glyukozamin-hondroitinovy a complex from Pharmakor Production
• Ellastenga® Active Glyukozamin, from Promo-Med
• Hitozanovy Argovasna gel from Vektorpro (Novosibirsk) content of net glycosamine of 70% in the form of nanostructured biogel with a size of particles of 20-60 nanometers.

Conclusion: both in complex and in "net" additives glycosamine has low cost if to choose the correct trademarks. It is difficult to allocate the undisputed leader.

Side effects

According to clinical trials, the glucosamine is safe, any contraindications it was revealed not. However excess of a daily dose can lead more than 3000 mg to depression of efficiency of drug, the risk of development of a diabetes mellitus as in larger concentration it has toxic effect on pancreas cells is enlarged. Also, there can sometimes be such side effects as a gastric disturbance, constipation and a diarrhea, a headache and an allergic eruption.

Instruction and doses

Commercial information of producers:

The daily norm of a glucosamine makes 1500 mg (2 times a day on 750 mg or 3 times a day on 500 mg after food or together with food). Duration of a preventive course makes 1 month. Frequency of courses is 2-3 times a year. Additive can be used also for complex treatment of degenerative and inflammatory diseases of joints, in combination with other medicines (antiinflammatory drugs, steroids, etc.).

Official information of Rospotrebnadzor:

(source: "STANDARDS of physiological needs for energy and feedstuffs for various groups of the population of the Russian Federation of MP 2.3.1.2432-08", Onishchenko, Scientific center of the Russian Academy of Medical Science)

The recommended consumption level for adult is 700 mg/day.