One of the most effective supplements for osteoarthritis is a compound called glucosamine. Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced from the shells of chitin (shellfish) and is a key component of cartilage. Glucosamine works to stimulate joint function and repair. It has been proven effective in numerous scientific trials for easing osteoarthritis pain, aiding in the rehabilitation of cartilage, renewing synovial fluid, and repairing joints that have been damaged from osteoarthritis.

Each person produces a certain amount of glucosamine within their bodies. When people grow older, their bodies lose the capacity to make enough glucosamine. Having ample glucosamine in your body is essential to producing the nutrients needed to stimulate the production of synovial fluid, the fluid which lubricates your cartilage and keeps your joints healthy. Without enough glucosamine, the cartilage in their weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, and hands deteriorates. The cartilage then hardens and forms bone spurs, deformed joints, and limited joint movement. This is how the debilitating disease of osteoarthritis develops.

1. A major building block of proteoglycans
2. Needed to make glycosaminoglycans, proteins that bind water in the cartilage matrix
3. A source of nutrients for the synthesis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans
4. A stimulant to chondrocytes
5. A key factor in determining how many proteoglycans are produced by the chondrocytes
6. Needed to spur chondrocytes to produce more collagen and proteoglycans
7. A regulator of cartilage metabolism which helps to keep cartilage from breaking down.

In addition, glucosamine has been shown to reduce pain for osteoarthritis sufferers and improves the joint structure.

As you can see, glucosamine is a very important factor in maintaining healthy cartilage and rehabilitating cartilage that has deteriorated. It has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment for osteoarthritis. However, glucosamine products can be very different.