Glucosamine Sulphate

Possible applications:

• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia

Recent studies have shown that once a joint like the ankle is injured repeatedly, it loses proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness. Basically this means the brain cannot communicate with the injury. By moving the joint through exercise, the joint can be retrained and the proprioception will return.
 
All joints depend upon the cartilage that exists within the joint. Cartilage is a unique part of the body's structure. It does not get its nutrition from blood. It must obtain its nutrients through bodily movement. Pressures on the disk move the fluid portion of the cartilage about. Nutrition for cartilage is absorbed from the outside.
 
Glycosaminoglycans, chondroitan sulphates, collagen, and water make up the large part of cartilage. Recent studies have shown that the introduction of large quantities of glucosamine sulphate have an ability to raise the fluid levels within cartilage from dangerously low levels to levels that are tolerable. When the fluid levels are closer to the norm there is apt to be less impingment on the nerves due to a greater resilience in the disk from the higher water content. Simply put, the more water held by the joint, the greater the shock absorbing effect.
 
In addition to lessened nerve impingment, higher fluid levels over time will allow the peripheral nervous system to grow, over a period of 12 - 18 months, into areas where previously little or no feeling was observed.
 
Thus, the theory behind taking the glucosamine supplements is that you are capable of rebuilding the nervous system. A more capable nervous system is better able to enhance healing in an area that has previously shown deterioration. Arthritic joints become no longer arthritic.  

A recent article in HEALTH magazines "Remedies" section by Laura Fraser titled "When Your Joints Go To The Dogs" is a personal story of how she quit taking the advice of medical doctors and started taking the advice of her veterinarian husband who had remarkable success treating the stiffness experienced by old dogs. He had been treating them with glucosamine supplements.
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Skepticism exists over the use of this treatment as a "cure". Glucosamine is quite expensive (about $2/day for effective treatment), but definitely works better than a rub-on cream. A prominent orthopedic surgeon, Dr Amal Das from North Carolina, has stated, "If more people start taking these supplements, it's going to cut down on my business." Dr Amal Das has been recommending glucosamine to his patients for over three years. He is currently involved in a five year study of its effect upon joints and arthritis.  

Dosages should be split up and taken prior to a meal. Recommendations vary in amount from 500 mg per day to 6000 mg per day. For serious relief, 500 mg taken with meals three times a day is recommended and should be taken for 12 - 18 months while undergoing treatment (chiropractic, accupressure, yoga, physical therapy, etc).