Glucosamine Hydrochloride Effectiveness

Glucosamine, an amino sugar that occurs naturally serves as the building block for bones, joints, cartilage and tendons. It plays a major role in lubricating joints, increasing their mobility and strengthening of cartilage. Glucosamine can also be prepared in the lab with extracts form different types of shellfish. There are two forms of glucosamine available for commercial use. They are glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride.

Glucosamine hydrochloride commonly used in the treatment of osteoarthritis is considered to be equally effective as glucosamine sulfate. The hydrochloride form is easily absorbed by our body and can be taken in lower dosages with the same effectiveness of glucosamine sulfate. The hydrochloride form is available more abundantly in the natural form and it tends to be compatible with human digestion. The chlorides and sulfates, on the other hand cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tissues.

Research was conducted to determine the most effective form of glucosamine. The sulfate form was used more in the olden times. Researchers generally attribute the benefits related to osteoarthritis to glucosamine and not the form used, only that the hydrochloride form is readily accepted as the stomach contains a strong concentration of hydrochloric acid. Moreover, glucosamine hydrochloride is pure in nature. It is highly stable and is 99 percent pure. Sulfate, on the other hand is only 75-80 percent pure as potassium chloride must be added to stabilize it, or else the sulfate would decompose and loose its effectiveness. The dosage of glucosamine hydrochloride required is lesser compared to the sulfate form. You might require only 1500 milligrams of glucosamine chloride as against 1900-2015 milligrams of sulfate to produce the same effect.

Sometimes glucosamine hydrochloride might decrease the effectiveness of medicines used to treat cancer such as etoposide and doxorubicin. It is always better to consult your physician before taking medication so that the appropriateness of the medicines in relation to existing medication can be checked.