Glucosamine

Glucosamine is essential for maintenance of healthy cartilage and helps to lubricates and cushions our joints. As we grow old, our body loses the capacity to produce sufficient glucosamine. Without sufficient glucosamine, our weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips will longer be supple. Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced by our body. It is the building block of glycosaminoglycan, complex carbohydrates found in various types of connective tissue in our body. It accounts for 5-20% of the cartilage tissue in our body. It stimulates the production of synovial fluid which is the lubricant in our joints. Orally Consumption or Transdermal Application ? Glucosamine has been known traditionally to aid joint health. Supplements of glucosamine are easily available in the market, but which one should you choose? When glucosamine pills are taken orally, it goes through the gastrointestinal tract and liver first-pass, where it is quickly metabolized, resulting in only a small amount of glucosamine reaching the blood. This small amount of glucosamine is then circulated throughout the entire body, resulting in ultimately an even smaller amount of glucosamine reaching joints where it is in fact required the most.

In contrast, applying glucosamine directly onto the skin enables glucosamine to be delivered through the skin directly into the blood stream to the joint where it is required. Scientific studies in humans have shown that direct application of the glucosamine cream provides the body with a high and sustained level of glucosamine. Glucosamine is not found in the food that we eat. Supplementing with glucosamine can helps replace this deficiency.