Are there different types of Glucosamine?

Are there different types of Glucosamine?

There are Five different types of Glucosamine:

1. D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCl)
2. D-Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCl
3. D-Glucosamine Sulphate NaCl
4. N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG)
5. Poly N-acetyl-glucosamine (Poly NAG)

Note: The correct technical name for Glucosamine is "D-Glucosamine" (except for no 4 and 5 above)

Which one is best if I have an allergy to shellfish?

1. D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) is definitely the best! (Ref 5)

Why? All other types are manufactured from shellfish source (Shrimp, crab and lobster) Shellfish source glucosamine may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. (Ref 2)
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Without wishing to complicate matters, D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) is also manufactured from shellfish; however, it's synthesised from a protein taken from shellfish. Generally speaking, shellfish allergy is caused by other constituents within the shellfish, not the protein! D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) is synthesised from the protein therefore it's considered to be much safer than the sulphate versions, especially for people who have a shellfish allergy.

I don't have a shellfish allergy!

If you don't have a shellfish allergy you may also consider either:

D-Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCl

Or, D-Glucosamine Sulphate NaCl

D-Glucosamine Sulphate has to be stabilised with one of two mineral salts, KCl (Potassium Chloride), or NaCl (Sodium Chloride salt)

The use of Potassium Chloride (KCl) as a stabiliser is preferable because the average Western diet already has far too much salt (NaCl) and not enough potassium (KCl)

So the best of the two Sulphate varieties is:

D-Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCl

(See important note on purity further below)

Moving on lets look at the other types of Glucosamine - these are:

N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG)

Another possible alternative is N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) however, NAG differs from D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride and D-Glucosamine Sulphate; instead of a sulphur or chloride molecule, NAG has a larger, more complex molecule attached to it. As a result, NAG is an entirely different molecule and appears to be handled quite differently by the body.

Studies have demonstrated that NAG is inferior to other forms of glucosamine in terms of absorption and utilization.

Poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine (Poly NAG)

A recent human study compared the absorption of NAG to a long chain of NAG molecules (POLY-Nag). Results showed that orally ingested NAG and POLY-Nag are absorbed and increase the blood levels of NAG, with both forms yielding similar results. In addition, there was some conversion of both molecules to glucosamine. However, the degree of conversion resulted in lower blood glucosamine levels compared to D-Glucosamine Sulphate and D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride, both of which are absorbed extremely well.

Studies have demonstrated that Poly NAG is inferior to other forms of glucosamine in terms of absorption and utilization.

Purity - All Glucosamines!

Some suppliers, particularly those on the internet, are claiming 99.99% purity for all types of Glucosamine. This shows a basic ignorance of the nutrient!

Generally speaking, Glucosamine comes from shellfish source, and (except for D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCl)), has to be stabilised with a percentage of either Potassium Chloride (KCl) or Sodium Chloride NaCl. Therefore the percentage of Glucosamine is generally around the 99% mark and this is quite acceptable however, they should not contain hormones or other impurities.