Glucosamine Side Effects

Glucosamine is a substance that has received a lot of press recently, due to its amazing ability to ease arthritis pain and slow down the progression of the disease. Many scientific studies have shown that glucosamine is very effective, potentially more so than standard anti inflammatory such as ibuprofen or aspirin. It also lacks the damaging side effects and long term toxicity of COX-2 inhibitors or NSAIDS such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

So how safe is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is overall a very safe substance. It has been studied clinically since the very early 1980’s – so people have been taking it safely for over 20 years. There are only a few things you need to watch out for when taking glucosamine.

Shellfish Allergies
Because most glucosamine is derived from shellfish (a few manufacturers offer it derived from corn), you should consult your doctor prior to starting glucosamine therapy if you have a known allergy to glucosamine. If the glucosamine is pure but derived from shellfish, it is still possible that people who are allergic to shellfish can take glucosamine. Because the allergic reaction is to proteins in shellfish and glucosamine is derived from Chitin, a carbohydrate, it is generally ok to try glucosamine under the guidance of a doctor because the processing that takes place to extract the glucosamine destroys the proteins and the antigens that the body would normally react to.

Diabetics
Insulin levels with Glucosamine (HCL or Sulfate) can be subject to fluctuations, particularly in diabetics. Glucosamine is technically a carbohydrate (a sugar), but the body is not able to convert Glucosamine into Glucose. Hence, Glucosamine does not directly provide additional sources of Glucose. In diabetic patients, many factors can lead to changing blood levels and as a result it is very important to check with your doctor prior to initiating Glucosamine therapy and to be sure to be very careful about monitoring your blood sugar levels while on Glucosamine. Read the latest update on Glucosamine for Diabetics.

Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should avoid Glucosamine. There have not been enough long term studies on the fetus to clearly say that Glucosamine is 100% safe for the developing fetus. There is no evidence that it would be harmful but it would be best to be safe in a situation such as this.

Overdose
Extremely high levels of Glucosamine (many times the daily dose) can cause gastric fluctuations such as soft stools, diarrhea or nausea. Glucosamine does not have to be taken with meals but it would be convenient to mix with a drink when you take it if you so desired.

Except for those above advisements, when taken according to the label, glucosamine has a long track record of being very safe, unlike the NSAIDS, who have a long and very well known (to scientists) history of being very bad for you long term. Not only are they foreign substances, (glucosamine is totally natural and in your joints right now) even COX-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx® or Celebrex® have some rather nasty potential side effects. Plus, NSAIDS and COX-2 inhibitors do nothing but cover up the pain. If you stop taking NSAIDS or COX-2 inhibitors, the pain quickly comes back. Its still there, but your brain is numb to the pain. With glucosamine, there is a residual effect. Even if you stop taking it, you will still be protected for a little while - but your pain will come back. Although maintaining a daily dose is the best way for maximum pain relief and joint protection, glucosamine will be decreasingly effective for a period of time after you stop its administration.

When it comes down to it, you are given a choice. Take foreign drugs with lots of side effects like NSAIDS or COX-2 inhibitors that do nothing for the disease and can possibly make arthritis worse – OR – take something natural with very little side effects like Flexicose.

Flexicose contains 14 synergistic ingredients designed for maximum relief. Each dose of Flexicose contains 1,500 mg of liquid glucosamine. Best of all, Flexicose does not come with the potentially deadly side effects of COX-2 and NSAID drugs. Order Flexicose now, and get FREE U.S., Canada, and Australia shipping.