Glucosamine Benefits, Side Effects, and More
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Glucosamine is a natural substance in your body that is used to build cartilage, the flexible connective tissue that supports movement and protects joints and bones. Glucosamine supplements may help people with arthritis, multiple sclerosis, age-related joint problems, and more.
Most supplements are made with marine life shells, such as shrimp and crabs. These supplements may not be appropriate for everyone. Talk to your healthcare provider about glucosamine used with certain medications or health concerns.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. When choosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Benefits
Glucosamine is thought to keep osteoarthritis in check by restoring the body’s glucosamine supply and repairing damaged cartilage. It may offer health benefits including a reduction in pain, although a 2018 review published in the journal Orthopedics suggests the benefits may be due to a placebo effect.
Glucosamine has been widely studied with inconclusive results for a range of health conditions that include:
- Joint and bone health: A 2016 study found glucosamine, taken with chondroitin, may offer benefits in treating osteoarthritis (OA), especially in the knee. Studies across two decades found mixed results on glucosamine benefits, but a 2023 review of 15 studies found glucosamine did relieve pain in people with knee osteoarthritis and short-term use was safe.
- Inflammation: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to autoimmune dysfunction that causes inflammation. The research on whether glucosamine can help is mixed. A 2017 study of supplement use in older adults found some pain relief with glucosamine use, but a 2022 review of a wide range of supplements and diets found no benefit to glucosamine for RA.
- Type 2 diabetes: There are mixed results on whether glucosamine affects blood sugar levels or offers benefits. Some studies suggest that glucosamine use over time can actually have a protective effect against developing type 2 diabetes, but more study is needed.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): One of the impacts of IBD, such as ulcerative colitis, is that it limits your body’s ability to use certain types of glucosamine, leading to digestive symptoms. Some researchers find that glucosamine supplements may reduce IBD symptoms. However, more study is needed to understand glucosamine and digestive health, including colorectal cancer.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder: Glucosamine is possibly effective for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, but a 2023 review of eight studies found it was not possible to confirm a benefit on the basis of existing evidence. However, the length of time when taking glucosamine (more than three months) did appear to improve mobility, limit pain, and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. The authors call for more study on TMJ.
- Autoimmune disease: Glucosamine benefits are studied in people diagnosed with autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), in which the disease causes the body to attack its own healthy cells. A specific supplement form called N-acetylglucosamine shows promise in treating MS, with therapy leading to lower levels of inflammation. About 30% of people in one study showed improvement in their neurological disability.
- Cancer: A 2022 study included more than 450,000 people whose health was followed for more than 10 years in the United Kingdom. At baseline, 19.4% of them used glucosamine routinely. Glucosamine use appeared to lower the overall risk of death from cancer, including lung cancer and kidney cancer. Study limitations include the use of prescription rather than over-the-counter glucosamine products in the UK and more research is needed.
A 2016 study involving 1,593 people who had taken glucosamine and chondroitin for up to six years concluded that both supplements were safe and effective for long-term use.
Potential Risks
Glucosamine side effects are typically mild and include:
People with certain health conditions should not take glucosamine supplements without consulting a healthcare provider. These diseases and disorders include:
Pregnant people and those who are breastfeeding/chestfeeding should not take glucosamine as there is not enough research to support its safe use.
Stop taking glucosamine at least two weeks prior to scheduled surgery, as it may impact the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
Glucosamine and Shellfish Allergies
People who are allergic to shellfish should check the label as many supplements are made from the shells of lobsters, shrimp, or crabs. Some researchers have called for more clear shellfish allergy warnings on glucosamine supplement packaging.
Interactions and Warnings
Glucosamine supplements should not be taken with the blood-thinning drug warfarin as it may increase its effects and cause bruising and serious bleeding. It also should be used with care when taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) and with some diabetes medications.
There also is some evidence to suggest glucosamine may interfere with certain cancer drugs, known as topoisomerase II inhibitors. These include:
- Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
- VePesid (etoposide)
- Novantrone (mitoxantrone)
- Cerubidine (daunorubicin)
Glucosamine may hinder the effectiveness of these drugs.
Glucosamine and Vitamins
Glucosamine is one of the four most common supplements taken by older people; the others include multivitamins and vitamin D. They also take them with prescription drugs. Researchers have found possible interactions with the drug metformin, and with diuretics like Lasix (furosemide), that reduce glucosamine effects. There were no such findings with vitamins.
Dosage and Sources
There are no common foods that you can eat to get glucosamine. Glucosamine supplements are often derived from the shells of shrimp, lobster, and crabs, and consuming shells themselves in any form is not recommended.
Glucosamine products include:
- Glucosamine sulfate
- Glucosamine hydrochloride
- N-acetyl-glucosamine
Glucosamine is often combined with chondroitin sulfate, a molecule naturally present in cartilage. Chondroitin gives cartilage elasticity and is believed to prevent the destruction of cartilage by enzymes. In some cases, glucosamine is also combined with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in nutritional supplements.
There is no standard recommended dose for glucosamine. The supplement is typically sold in tablets and capsules, and is often included with other supplements that may be effective for pain.
Check with your healthcare provider about other options, including topical creams and injected forms or combinations of drugs that include glucosamine. While the supplement is sold as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetylglucosamine, most of the research showing benefits has been done on glucosamine sulfate.
Taking Glucosamine Every Day
It is OK to take glucosamine every day, but check with your healthcare provider. For example, with osteoarthritis, 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day, taken orally either at once, in two doses of 750 mg, or in three doses of 500 mg, is believed to be a safe dose taken for up to three years in adults.
Summary
Glucosamine may be of some benefit to people with certain health conditions including diabetes, osteoarthritis, and multiple sclerosis. However, more research is needed to verify these benefits and better understand how they can be used to prevent or treat health conditions.
If you’re considering the use of glucosamine, talk to your healthcare provider before starting your supplements. Certain underlying health conditions and medications can create risks when taking glucosamine. You also should discuss the dosage and type of product it will be safe to use.
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