Glucosamine: The Supplement for all Athletes

It seems like every time you leaf through a magazine, or flip on the television, the supplement industry is throwing out some new “must have” miracle product. I’m not saying that these products are useless, their benefits more than likely stretch over a range of situations, but for athletes there are a few supplements that definitely top the lists. One of these supplements is Glucosamine. Glucosamine is a substance that is produced by the body for development and repair of Connective tissue (Cartilage, tendons, ligaments, etc…). I’m sure most of you have already figured out why glucosamine is such an important supplement for athletes, let alone individuals exercising, or even the elderly. The following is a brief list of interesting facts concerning Glucosamine.

• The rate-limiting step of Connective tissue maintenance and repair is the conversion of glucose to Glucosamine, supplementing removes the delay.
• Over 30 years of research done concerning this supplement.
• Studies indicate potential to rebuild injured connective tissues.
• In vitro research showed the potential of glucosamine to increase production of glycosaminoglycans (makes up proteoglycans, which create the framework for collagen tissues) by 170%.
• Can be 95% absorbed intact through gut wall.
• 30% of ingested glucosamine tends to be stored for later use.
• Dosages of 750-1500mg shown to be effective in human clinical trials.

No matter how correctly you train, the wear and tear on your joints and surrounding connective tissue is bound to happen. Even though your body has systems designed to deal with the repair and maintenance, many times it just can’t keep up with the demand on your system. This is when supplements come into the picture and make a big impact on your health. Remember, no supplement is the “magic bullet”. There is no substitute for proper technique while training, eating a healthy diet, and see your personal physician regularly. Before taking any supplement, be sure to speak to your physician to verify it is safe for you to take. I hope this article provides some useful information on a potentially beneficial supplement.

Michael Petrinjak CFT

References

1. “Sports Nutrition, Third Edition” Dan Gastelu MS, MFS. Frederick C. Hatfield, PhD.   2010