Synonyms: Glucosamine or Chitosamine

Glucosamine is a structural component of several glycosoaminoglycans found in the cartilage of the joints, made up of chains of sugars and proteins linked together.

Glycosaminoglycans are part of the extracellular matrix of cartilage, forming, among other compounds, chains of hyaluronic acid whose main function is to retain water, helping the mechanical and lubrication properties of cartilage.

The glucosamine salt is considered a precursor of folates, having a similar function to folic acid (vitamin B9) . _(2,3,4,5)

Benefits

Some human studies presented on the effects of glucosamine (as glucosamine hydrochloride or glucosamine sulfate), alone or in combination with chondroitin sulfate, suggest that it helps the joints function properly.

Main sources in food

It is found in the shell of some shellfish (such as oysters), lobsters, shrimp and crabs (traces of glucosamine) and in the exoskeleton of a variety of insects (arthropods), in some fungi, that is, their chitin.

As well as in the bone marrow and cartilage present at the ends of the bones of meat and poultry . ₍₆₎

Maximum allowed level

Glucosamine supplements should not be consumed by individuals who have any of the following conditions:

• Diabetes, since glucosamine is an amino saccharide
• They are on anticoagulant treatment
• They suffer from a shellfish allergy
• They suffer from glaucoma

Bibliographic references:
1. Arthritis foundation.(2016)
2. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2009) Glucosamine alone or in combination with chondroitin sulphate and related health claims. EFSA Journal 7(9):1264.
3. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2009) Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to glucosamine hydrochloride and reduced rate of
cartilage degeneration and reduced risk of development of osteoarthritis pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
4. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), (2012). Glucosamine and maintenance of normal joint cartilage. Supporting Publications 2012:328
5. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), (2013) Scientific Opinion on (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, glucosamine salt as a source of folate added for nutritional
purposes to food supplements.
6. Mojarrad, JS, M. Nemati, H. Valizadeh, M. Ansarin and S. Bourbour (2007). “Preparation of Glucosamine from Exoskeleton of Shrimp and Predicting Production Yield
by Response Surface Methodology", Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Vol. 55, pp. 2246–2250.