Glucosamine and cartilage

Glucosamine and cartilage : the biochemical process
On a biochemical level, the link between glucosamine and cartilage is evident. The human body uses glucosamin to form glycosaminoglycans, glycolipids and proteoglycans. Glycosaminoglycans make up a significant part of the connective tissue in the body. It is normally abbreviated GAG and consists of long chains of polysaccharides. Glycolipids perform a wide range of functions, including keeping your cell membranes stable and combining cells to build new tissue. Proteoglycans make up the so called “extracellular matrix” in the human body, i.e. functions as filler material between the cells. Proteoglycans can create large complexes by connecting to collagen. The connection between glucosamine and cartilage is still far from fully researched and more studies are needed before anyone can know for sure exactly how cartilage is formed, maintained and repaired.

Glucosamine and cartilage : cartilage diseases
Many different diseases can affect your cartilage. One of the most well-known ones is osteoarthritis, which is one of many arthritis diseases. Since glucosamine and cartilage health is linked to each other, many osteoarthritis patients take glucosamine supplements on a daily basis. Other examples of cartilage diseases are achondroplasia, costochondritis and herniated discs. Achondroplasia leads to decreased proliferation of chondrocytes in the epiphyseal plate, and the result is a special form of dwarfism. When an inflammation develops in the cartilage of the ribs it is caused costochondritis. A herniated disc occurs when a disc in the spine is asymmetrically compressed and therefore causes the cartilage ring to rupture. Once the cartilage has ruptured, tissue will herniated into the spinal canal and cause serious pain. As you can see, there are a wide range of different cartilage problems that can occur in the human body and glucosamine should not be viewed as a "quick fix" to all possible cartilage problems. Always consult with your doctor to find out if your particular cartilage problem may be helped by glucosamine supplements.

Glucosamine and cartilage : but what is cartilage?
Cartilage consists of collagenous fibers and/or elastic fibers, and of a certain type of cells called chondrocytes. These components are embedded by a firm gel known as the matrix. Cartilage performs many important tasks in the human body. It functions as a framework for bone deposition and provides articulating bones with smooth surfaces that prevents wear and tear. You will for instance find cartilage around every joint, at the rib cage, in your outer ear, in the nose, in your bronchial tubes and between the discs in your spine.