New Promising research on Glucosamine and cardiovascular health
Glucosamine may help lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.
A popular and successfully widely used dietary supplement for joint pain, arthritis could also be beneficial for your heart [1]
A recent study has found that a habitual use of the supplement glucosamine was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its more severe consequences like stroke [1]
What is glucosamine? How does it work as cardio protective?
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance found within the body that’s recognized for its role in maintaining the cartilage between joints[2].
Still, there remains a large unknown: If glucosamine is in fact protective for the heart (and that’s still a big if), how does it work?
There is still more clinical research and future studies to study the glucosamine action as a cardioprotective. What is known is that inflammation is common among heart disease and stroke patients, and it’s believed to play a role in cardiovascular disease. Glucosamine appears to have anti-inflammatory properties which could therefore be preventive[2]
New research that included nearly a half-million participants found that habitually taking glucosamine was associated with 15 percent lower overall risk of CVD events, compared to nonusers [2]
It was further associated with a 9 to 22 percent lower risk of CVD death, coronary heart disease, and stroke, compared to nonusers [2]
Glucosamine Dosage:
It’s generally safe for most people at a dosage of 1,500 milligrams per day. However, it can cause some adverse reactions, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain if taken over the recommended dosage.
Precautions:
Individuals with shellfish allergies and those who are pregnant, or breastfeeding shouldn’t take glucosamine. There are reported cases of glucosamine and warfarin interactions and people on warfarin (blood thinners) should take extra precaution. It is important for everyone to speak to their doctor before taking any dietary supplement [3].
Despite its popularity for the treatment of osteoarthritis, glucosamine remain somewhat controversial, as evidence of its effectiveness is mixed.
Consult with your healthcare provide before the use of any dietary supplements.
Conclusion:
Glucosamine remains a good product for arthritis with new emerging science that is promising to support it’s use for cardiovascular disease. The new study suggests a potential new beneficial effect of glucosamine on cardiovascular health. The practical implication would still need to be established upon further evidence from future studies, such as clinical trials, that verify such effects as causal.
References:
- lad SC, LaValley MP, McAlindon TE, Felson DT (2007) Glucosamine for pain in osteoarthritis: why do trial results differ? Arthritis and Rheumatism 56: 2267–2277. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- use with risk of cardiovascular disease: prospective study in UK Bioban trials. DOI:
https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/365/bmj.l1628.full.pdf - Myers SP (2002) Interactions between complementary medicines and warfarin. Australian Prescriber 25: 54–56. [Google Scholar]
