Glucosamine and pain
Glucosamine and pain relief in osteoarthritis patients may be closely linked, according to indications obtain from three different sources: veterinary data, clinical trials with humans, and basic science rational derived from our knowledge of the bodily biochemistry. It should however be noted that the clinical trials that has been carried out with human participants have come up with quite conflicting results, and the link between glucosamine and pain relief is therefore far from fully understood. Many studies have also been criticized for being methodically flawed.

Glucosamin and pain relief: what is glucosamin?
Glucosamine is used when the body synthesizes glycolipids, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. Studies have shown that the link between glucosamine and pain relief may be due to an elevation of the proteoglycan synthesis. The proteoglycan synthesis is known to be impaired in patients suffering from pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Glucosamin and pain relief: the McAlindon meta-analysis
One interesting study that focused on glucosamine and pain was carried out by McAlindon et al. This study was a meta-analysis of 15 human clinical trials with human participants where glucosamine chondroitin sulfate was used. Chondroitin sulfate is another substance believed to have a beneficial effect on osteoarthritis patients, and chondroitin sulfate is often combined with glucosamine in dietary supplements. The human trials included in the meta-analysis were all randomized, controlled, double-blind trials that lasted for 4 weeks or more. McAlindon et al found that glucosamine was more efficient than placebo in three of the trials, and there was also one trial where a positive effect could be noticed in the secondary outcomes. McAlindon et al did however point out that three of the four successful studies had not described their procedures for randomizing.

Glucosamin and pain relief: what to think about
Many osteoarthritis patients have experience a strong connection between glucosamin and pain alleviation, and glucosamine supplements are today highly popular world wide. There however a few things to keep in mind before you start using glucosamine.

• Consult with your doctor if you are allergic to shellfish.
• Consult with your doctor if you have diabetes or insulin resistance.
• Consult with your doctor if you have elevated cholesterol levels.
• Consult with your doctor if you are on a low-sodium diet.
• Consult with your doctor if you are using blood-thinning medication (including aspirin) and plan on using a glucosamine supplement that contains chondroitin sulfate.