Is Glucosamine the Key to Joint Longevity? Find Out Now!

: 00:00:00

Welcome to the 40thru99 podcast. Healthcare research and news to help you age better. This podcast is for information purposes. It is not medical advice.

Consult your health practitioner before making any changes to your medications, diet, or lifestyle.

Tom: 00:00:18

Alright. Hey, everyone. Welcome back to another deep dive with us. Today.

We're going deep on something that I know all you 40thru99ers out there are going to want to pay attention to.

Jane: 00:00:29

Yeah.

Tom: 00:00:29

We're talking about glucosamine.

: 00:00:31

Yeah.

Tom: 00:00:32

And its role in, you know, keeping you guys moving and grooving well into your golden years.

Jane: 00:00:39

Right.

Tom: 00:00:40

So you guys said to some really great sources this time. Yeah. We're looking at a YouTube video from Dr. Axe, a super detailed article from Healthline, and then some insights from the Mayo Clinic as well.

Jane: 00:00:53

Excellent sources.

Tom: 00:00:54

So let's just jump right in. So I think it's interesting just to start off with, why is this even important for us 40thru99ers?

Jane: 00:01:01

Yeah. I mean, as we age, taking care of our joints becomes more and more important, and glucosamine is often touted as a key player in that.

Tom: 00:01:08

So true. So true.

Jane: 00:01:09

Yeah.

Tom: 00:01:10

So. And Dr. X jumps right into calling glucosamine a glycosaminoglycan.

Jane: 00:01:16

Yeah.

Tom: 00:01:17

I don't know about you, but I had to rewind that a couple times.

Jane: 00:01:19

It's a mouthful.

Tom: 00:01:20

What is that?

Jane: 00:01:21

It does sound intimidating, but it's actually a pretty simple concept when you break it down.

Tom: 00:01:26

Okay.

Jane: 00:01:26

It's essentially a building block for cartilage.

Tom: 00:01:29

Okay.

Jane: 00:01:29

That super important cushion in our joints.

Tom: 00:01:31

Okay. So cartilage. Got it.

Jane: 00:01:33

Uh huh.

Tom: 00:01:35

But why should we be thinking about this now? You know, even if my knees feel great.

Jane: 00:01:40

Right?

Tom: 00:01:41

I mean, I could still, you know, rock out at a concert. I'm fine.

Jane: 00:01:44

Yeah, that's the thing. You may feel great now, but cartilage naturally wears down over time.

Tom: 00:01:50

Okay.

Jane: 00:01:50

It's like the shock absorbers on your car. Eventually they need replacing.

Tom: 00:01:54

Oh, I see.

Jane: 00:01:54

And glucosamine may help support the production and maintenance of that cartilage, keeping those joints healthy and mobile as we age.

Tom: 00:02:02

So it's like preventative maintenance for your body?

Jane: 00:02:04

Exactly.

Tom: 00:02:05

I love that.

Jane: 00:02:06

Okay.

Tom: 00:02:06

Okay. So I think another interesting thing that Dr. Axe brought up is that glucosamine might be good for more than just joints.

He even mentioned things like leaky gut and Crohn's disease. Now that really got me thinking.

Jane: 00:02:21

Yeah.

Tom: 00:02:21

Is there any truth to these broader claims?

Jane: 00:02:24

Right. Well, you know, Dr. Axe's enthusiasm is definitely infectious.

Tom: 00:02:28

Yeah.

Jane: 00:02:29

But the strongest scientific evidence for glucosamine is really for osteoarthritis.

Tom: 00:02:33

Okay.

Jane: 00:02:34

The research on other uses, particularly related to inflammatory conditions, is still emerging.

Tom: 00:02:40

So maybe hold off on the glucosamine cocktails for leaky gut for now.

Jane: 00:02:43

Yeah, probably a good idea, I think. You know, stick to what we know for sure.

Tom: 00:02:47

Stick to what we know. Yeah, for now.

Jane: 00:02:50

Okay. But speaking of Trends, though.

Tom: 00:02:52

Yes.

Jane: 00:02:53

Dr. Axe mentions bone broth.

Tom: 00:02:55

Yeah.

Jane: 00:02:55

And I feel like everyone these days is sipping on bone broth. Does it actually contain glucosamine?

Tom: 00:03:03

It does.

Jane: 00:03:03

Does it really?

Tom: 00:03:04

Yeah. The simmering process extracts glucosamine from those animal bones.

Jane: 00:03:08

Wow.

Tom: 00:03:09

However, the amount can vary quite a bit from batch to batch. Supplements, on the other hand, offer a more standardized, consistent dose.

Jane: 00:03:18

So bone broth could be like a tasty way to maybe get a little extra.

Tom: 00:03:22

Yeah.

Jane: 00:03:23

But supplements are going to be the way to go if you want to. If you want to target a specific amount.

Tom: 00:03:26

Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. Okay. So let's dive into the research a little bit on glucosamine for osteoarthritis.

Specifically, the Healthline article points out that the research is a little bit mixed.

Jane: 00:03:37

Yeah.

Tom: 00:03:38

Some studies show that it helps with osteoarthritis pain and even slowing cartilage breakdown, but other studies aren't showing the same benefit.

Jane: 00:03:48

Yeah, that's interesting. It's not as simple as glucosamine work or it doesn't work. Osteoarthritis itself is a complex condition. It affects people so differently.

Tom: 00:03:58

I see.

Jane: 00:03:58

And it makes it really difficult to study. Plus, not all glucosamine supplements are created equal. The type, the dosage, even the study design can impact the results.

Tom: 00:04:10

So it's not just a one size fits all solution.

Jane: 00:04:12

Yeah, exactly.

Tom: 00:04:12

Okay.

So I think it's helpful what the Mayo Clinic says, because they acknowledge that the research is mixed, but they still suggest that the glucosamine sulfate might be worth trying for osteoarthritis pain, particularly for folks who can't tolerate NSAIDs.

Jane: 00:04:29

That's an important point.

Tom: 00:04:30

Yeah.

Jane: 00:04:31

Because for some people, NSAIDs can cause stomach issues or other side effects, whereas glucosamine sulfate tends to be well tolerated.

Tom: 00:04:39

So it could be a really good alternative.

Jane: 00:04:41

Yes.

Tom: 00:04:41

Or at least something to discuss with your doctor, if that's a problem for you.

Jane: 00:04:44

Always a good idea.

Tom: 00:04:45

Yeah. So we've kind of established that it looks pretty good for osteoarthritis.

Jane: 00:04:51

Right.

Tom: 00:04:52

But what about all these other potential uses that Dr. Axe mentioned, like the leaky gut, Crohn's, even TMJ?

Jane: 00:05:01

Hmmm.

Tom: 00:05:02

Is there any hope for glucosamine in these areas?

Jane: 00:05:05

It's a great question, and I think it's one that a lot of people are curious about.

Tom: 00:05:09

Yeah.

Jane: 00:05:10

The research on these applications is ongoing, but the evidence is still very limited.

Tom: 00:05:16

So should we just, like, dismiss those claims altogether?

Jane: 00:05:18

Not necessarily.

Tom: 00:05:20

Okay.

Jane: 00:05:20

Just because the evidence is limited doesn't mean that they're entirely baseless. Got it. It just simply means we need more research to confirm or refute them.

Tom: 00:05:28

So it's a wait and see situation?

Jane: 00:05:29

Exactly. And in the meantime, always, always talk to your doctor before using glucosamine for anything other than general joint support.

Tom: 00:05:37

Okay.

Jane: 00:05:38

Especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Tom: 00:05:40

Especially if you have other things going on. That's great advice. So I think now we need to talk about the important stuff.

Jane: 00:05:46

Okay. Yeah.

Tom: 00:05:47

e? Because Dr. Axe recommends: 1000

Jane: 00:06:02

That's a good starting point for a conversation with your doctor. Dosages can vary based on the form of glucosamine you're taking, what you're taking it for.

The Healthline article also mentions some potential side effects like nausea, heartburn, diarrhea. Generally. These are mild, but it's good to be aware of them.

Tom: 00:06:20

Yeah, for sure. And they also mentioned potential interactions with certain medications like blood thinners. So, again, talk to your doctor.

Jane: 00:06:31

Absolutely.

Tom: 00:06:32

Key takeaway there.

Jane: 00:06:32

They can help you determine the right dosage and make sure that glucosamine is safe for you, given your own personal health situation.

Tom: 00:06:41

That's so insightful. We've learned a lot about glucosamine and its benefits and the things to keep in mind.

Jane: 00:06:47

Definitely.

Tom: 00:06:47

But I feel like there's still so much more to explore with this.

Jane: 00:06:51

You've only just scratched the surface.

Tom: 00:06:53

Yeah, we've only just scratched scratched the surface. So stay tuned because we're going to continue this deep dive into the world of glucosamine in part two.

Jane: 00:07:00

Absolutely.

Tom: 00:07:01

Where we'll be exploring more about how it works and delving deeper into the research on its various uses. So see you in part two.

Jane: 00:07:08

See you there.

And, you know, for our 40thru99 listeners, this is all especially relevant as we think about maintaining our active lifestyles and, you know, our overall well being in the years to come.

Tom: 00:07:22

Yeah, absolutely. Who wants to slow down just because we're getting older?

Jane: 00:07:25

Yeah, not us.

Tom: 00:07:26

All right, so we've covered the basics, you know, what glucosamine is and its potential benefits. But now I really want to get into the nitty gritty, like, how does this stuff actually work? What's the science behind it?

Jane: 00:07:36

Yeah, that's a great question. It's something that scientists are still working to fully understand.

Tom: 00:07:41

Yeah.

Jane: 00:07:41

But we do have some insights. And, you know, remember how we talked about cartilage being that essential cushion in our joints?

Tom: 00:07:47

Yeah. Like those shock absorbers we were talking about.

Jane: 00:07:49

Exactly. Well, glucosamine is believed to be a key player in both building and repairing that cartilage.

It provides the building blocks our bodies need to create those substances that make up that healthy cartilage.

Tom: 00:08:01

So it's not just like masking the pain. It's actually helping to address the root of the problem.

Jane: 00:08:06

That's the idea. And what's really interesting is that glucosamine also seems to have anti inflammatory properties, which is huge.

Tom: 00:08:13

I'm always hearing about how inflammation is at the root of so many health problems these days.

Jane: 00:08:18

You're right. And when it comes to osteoarthritis, inflammation is what causes that pain. That stiffness, the swelling in the joints.

Tom: 00:08:25

So by reducing inflammation, glucosamine could help alleviate those symptoms.

Jane: 00:08:29

Precisely. It's like a two pronged approach. Building up the cartilage while calming down that inflammation.

Tom: 00:08:35

Makes total sense. But Dr. Axe mentioned something that really caught my attention.

He said that glucosamine can actually send signals to the body to repair damaged areas. Is that even possible? It sounds almost too good to be true.

Jane: 00:08:49

It's a fascinating concept.

It's one that has researchers pretty excited because, you know, it kind of boils down to this idea that glucosamine might play a role in cellular communication. It's like it's this messenger telling the body, hey, we need some repairs over here.

Tom: 00:09:05

So it's not just passively providing the building blocks, it's actively directing the repair process.

Jane: 00:09:10

That's the theory. And if that's true, it could have significant implications for how we approach heat healing and tissue regeneration.

Tom: 00:09:17

Wow. That's incredible. We're talking about potentially revolutionizing the way we treat all sorts of conditions.

Jane: 00:09:21

It's certainly a really exciting area of research. Yeah. But we do need to remember that we're still in the early stages of understanding these complex mechanisms.

Tom: 00:09:29

Of course, more research is always needed.

Jane: 00:09:31

Always.

Tom: 00:09:32

But definitely something to keep an eye on. Now, let's talk about the different forms of glucosamine, because I know that can be a bit confusing.

Yeah, we've got glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N acetyl glucosamine. What's the difference? And is one better than the others?

Jane: 00:09:47

Well, like with many things in health and science, there isn't always a clear cut winner. Each form has its own unique properties, and the best choice for you will really depend on your individual needs and goals.

Tom: 00:09:58

Okay, so let's break it down. What's the deal with glucosamine sulfate?

Jane: 00:10:02

So this is the form that's been studied the most, especially when it comes to osteoarthritis. Remember those studies we talked about earlier that showed some promising results for pain relief and slowing down cartilage breakdown?

Those primarily looked at glucosamine sulfate.

Tom: 00:10:16

So it's got the most scientific backing so far.

Jane: 00:10:19

Exactly. And it's often sold in combination with chondroitin, another compound that's naturally found in cartilage.

Tom: 00:10:25

Interesting. What about glucosamine hydrochloride? What's its claim to fame?

Jane: 00:10:29

So glucosamine hydrochloride is very similar to glucosamine sulfate in terms of its chemical structure, but it has a higher concentration of glucosamine.

Tom: 00:10:37

So you need less of it to get the same amount of the active ingredient.

Jane: 00:10:40

Precisely. However, there's less research on glucosamine hydrochloride specifically, especially when it comes to its effectiveness for osteoarthritis.

Tom: 00:10:49

Got it. So what about that mysterious N acetyl glucosamine? What makes it different?

Jane: 00:10:54

So N acetyl glucosamine is actually a derivative of glucosamine. It's involved in a wide range of biological processes, including the formation of cartilage.

However, the research on its effectiveness as a supplement is still quite limited.

Tom: 00:11:08

So it's a bit of an up and comer. Still needs more time in the spotlight.

Jane: 00:11:11

Exactly. Who knows, maybe in a few years we'll be talking about N acetyl glucosamine as the go to supplement for joint health.

Tom: 00:11:18

I love how science is always evolving.

Jane: 00:11:20

It is.

Tom: 00:11:20

There's always something new to learn. Okay, so we've covered a lot of ground. The potential benefits of glucosamine, how it might work, and the different forms available.

But I know our listeners are probably wondering, okay, this all sounds great, but where can I actually get glucosamine and what should I look for when choosing a supplement?

Jane: 00:11:39

Those are excellent questions and ones that we'll tackle in the final part of our deep dive into glucosamine. We'll discuss different sources of the supplement factors to consider when choosing a product and some important safety precautions to keep in mind.

Tom: 00:11:51

Stay tuned, folks. We're about to equip you with all the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about incorporating glucosamine into your healthy aging journey.

Especially for all you 40thru99ers out there. Alright, welcome back to the Deep Dive.

So we're wrapping up our exploration of glucosamine here, and in this final part, we're going to get practical. You know, where can you find this stuff and what do you really need to know before you add it to your routine?

Especially for all you 40thru99ers out there who want to stay active.

Jane: 00:12:20

Right? Yeah, those are great questions. And let's just start with the basics. Glucosamine supplements are actually pretty easy to find these days.

You can buy them online in stores, pharmacies, health food stores, even some grocery stores will carry them.

Tom: 00:12:32

So it's not like we're searching for some rare herb in the Amazon.

Jane: 00:12:35

No, not at all. But that also means there are a ton of different products out there. Right. Which can make choosing the right one a little overwhelming.

Tom: 00:12:43

Yeah, for sure. So how do we navigate that aisle without getting totally lost?

Jane: 00:12:48

Good question.

Tom: 00:12:49

What are the key things to look for when you're trying to choose a glucosamine supplement?

Jane: 00:12:53

Yeah, well, first off, think back to our discussion about the different forms of glucosamine. You know, we talked about glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and acetyl glucosamine.

If you're looking for the most well researched option, especially for osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate is the one that has been studied the most.

Tom: 00:13:11

Right, that makes sense. What else should we be looking at?

Jane: 00:13:15

Dosage is also really important. Supplements come in all different strengths, so always, always check the label carefully.

And of course, it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor about what dosage is right for you. They can make sure it aligns with your own individual health needs and goals.

Tom: 00:13:32

Right. It's always good to have that personalized guidance.

Jane: 00:13:34

Always.

Tom: 00:13:35

Speaking of doctors, are there any red flags that we should watch out for when we're choosing a product?

Jane: 00:13:41

Absolutely. Be very wary of products that are making these outrageous claims. Remember, glucosamine isn't a magic pill.

It's not going to erase all your joint pain. It's not going to make you feel 20 years younger overnight.

Tom: 00:13:54

So if it sounds too good to.

Jane: 00:13:55

Be true, it probably is. Another thing to look for is products that have been third party tested.

Tom: 00:14:01

Oh, yeah.

Jane: 00:14:01

This means that an independent lab has actually verified the purity and the potency of the supplement, so you can be much more confident about what you're getting.

Tom: 00:14:10

That's a great tip. And third party testing seems to be like popping up everywhere now.

Jane: 00:14:15

It's a good sign. It means that that company cares about quality, they care about transparency.

Tom: 00:14:19

Awesome. Okay, let's switch gears for a sec and talk about safety.

ially for those of us in that: 4099

Jane: 00:14:35

Yeah, glucosamine is generally considered safe for most people, but like any supplement, it's not completely risk free. We mention it can interact with some medications like blood thinners.

Tom: 00:14:46

Right.

Jane: 00:14:47

So talk to your doctor before you start any new supplements, especially if you have other health conditions.

Tom: 00:14:53

Good reminder. And what about allergies? You know, Dr. Axe mentioned that glucosamine is often derived from shellfish.

Jane: 00:14:59

Right.

Tom: 00:14:59

So that's something our listeners with shellfish allergies would definitely want to be aware of.

Jane: 00:15:04

Absolutely. If you have a shellfish allergy, definitely check that product label very carefully.

Some glucosamine supplements are made from shellfish-free sources like fermented corn.

Tom: 00:15:13

So there are options out there. There are options even for shellfish allergies.

Jane: 00:15:17

Yeah.

And another important thing to remember, while some people might see results really quickly, others might need to take glucosamine consistently for several weeks, maybe even months, before they notice any significant benefits.

Tom: 00:15:29

So consistency is key.

Jane: 00:15:31

Consistency is key. Give it some time, see how your body responds. And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.

They can provide personalized advice based on your unique situation.

Tom: 00:15:42

Well, I feel like this deep dive has been so insightful.

It seems like glucosamine could be a really valuable tool, especially for those of us in that 40 through 99 age group group, you know, who are looking to support our joint health as we age?

Jane: 00:15:55

Yeah, it's definitely a promising option, but as we've discussed, it's not a miracle cure. More research is always being done and it's always best to make informed decisions in consultation with your healthcare provider.

Tom: 00:16:06

Couldn't agree more. And that's really what the deep dive is all about. Equipping you with the knowledge you need to make those informed choices about your health.

So until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep those joints moving. And remember, aging well starts today.

: 00:16:22

This episode was sponsored by Muscadinex. The Muscadine is America's strongest source of grape resveratrol and other age better molecules.

Please go to the Show Notes for links to the research used in this podcast.