Science | Supplements
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a dietary supplement commonly used to promote joint health, particularly in the treatment of osteoarthritis. There is emerging evidence suggesting potential benefits of glucosamine on longevity.
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Effectiveness of glucosamine hydrochloride and eperisone with exercise therapy on inflammatory factors and knee joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
J Drug Target. 2026 Apr;34(4):696-701.
Design: Sixty KOA patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A (n = 30) received GAH plus exercise therapy, while Group B (n = 30) received GAH combined with eperisone and exercise therapy.
Summary: GAH combined with eperisone and exercise therapy is more effective than GAH alone in patients with KOA. It significantly reduces inflammatory markers and symptoms, and enhances knee joint function.
Role of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in the Prevention of Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.
Nutr Cancer. 2023;75(3):785-794. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2023.2173258. Epub 2023 Jan 30.
Design: Liu B(1), Yang W(2), Zhang K(1).
Summary: The anti-inflammatory properties of glucosamine and chondroitin suggest that they may have potential effects in cancer prevention. This meta-analysis found that glucosamine and/or chondroitin intake was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer and lung cancer.
Efficacy and safety of the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2023 Jan;143(1):409-421. doi: 10.1007/s00402-021-04326-9. Epub 2022 Jan 13.
Design: Meng Z(#)(1), Liu J(#)(2), Zhou N(3).
Summary: The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin is effective and superior to other treatments in knee osteoarthritis, reducing symptoms and improving function, with no significant safety concerns.
Genetically predicted glucosamine and longevity: A Mendelian randomization study.
Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022 Jun;49:556-559. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.03.029. Epub 2022 Mar 22.
Design: Yoon SY(1), Narayan VP(2).
Summary: Lifelong higher levels of glucosamine may increase life expectancy, with positive effects associated with maternal age at death.
Associations of regular glucosamine use with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a large prospective cohort study.
Ann Rheum Dis. 2020 Jun;79(6):829-836. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-217176. Epub 2020 Apr 6.
Design: Li ZH(1), Gao X(2), Chung VC(3), et al.
Summary: Regular glucosamine use is associated with lower mortality due to all causes, cancer, CVD, respiratory, and digestive diseases.
Glucosamine Extends the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via Autophagy Induction.
Design: Shintani T(1)(2), Kosuge Y(1), Ashida H(3).
Summary: Glucosamine extends the lifespan of C. elegans by inducing autophagy, suggesting potential anti-aging benefits.
Effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.
Rheumatol Int. 2018 Aug;38(8):1413-1428. doi: 10.1007/s00296-018-4077-2. Epub 2018 Jun 11.
Design: Simental-Mendía M(1), Sánchez-García A(2), et al.
Summary: Oral supplementation with glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate reduces pain in knee OA, but there is no additional effect when combined.
Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
J Orthop Surg Res. 2018 Jul 6;13(1):170. doi: 10.1186/s13018-018-0871-5.
Design: Zhu X(1), Sang L(2), Wu D(2), et al.
Summary: Oral chondroitin is more effective than placebo in relieving pain and improving physical function in osteoarthritis.
D-Glucosamine supplementation extends life span of nematodes and of ageing mice.
Nat Commun. 2014 Apr 8;5:3563. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4563.
Design: Weimer S(1), Priebs J(2), Kuhlow D(3), et al.
Summary: D-Glucosamine extends lifespan by mimicking a low-carbohydrate diet, enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis, and promoting autophagy.
The effect of glucosamine on glucose metabolism in humans: a systematic review of the literature.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2011 Apr;19(4):375-80. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2011.01.007. Epub 2011 Jan 18.
Design: Dostrovsky NR(1), Towheed TE, Hudson RW, Anastassiades TP.
Summary: Evidence on glucosamine’s effect on glucose metabolism is mixed, with some studies indicating decreased insulin sensitivity and increased fasting glucose in humans.
A comprehensive review of oral glucosamine use and effects on glucose metabolism in normal and diabetic individuals.
Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2011 Jan;27(1):14-27. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.1150. Epub 2010 Dec 7.
Design: Simon RR(1), Marks V, Leeds AR, Anderson JW.
Summary: Glucosamine has no significant effect on fasting blood glucose levels, glucose metabolism, or insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects, individuals with diabetes, or those with impaired glucose tolerance.
