Finally, it’s postulated that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may affect blood sugar levels, reduce insulin sensitivity, and interact with anticoagulant medications likes Warfarin. That’s why you should consult a healthcare professional before trying them ( 17). Summary Brooks SL, Rowan G, Michael M. Potential issues with complementary medicines commonly used in the cancer population: A retrospective review of a tertiary cancer center’s experience. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2018;14(5):e535-42. doi: 10.1111/ajco.13026 These mixed recommendations may partially stem from the fact that the manufacturer and type of the supplements can result in different study results. For example, pharmaceutical-grade varieties appear more effective compared with over-the-counter options ( 4, 5). Summary There are many studies available on the use of glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis pain, though they have conflicting conclusions on the effectiveness of the supplements. Glucosamine

Patients suffering from gallstones or bile duct problems or who have an increased risk of kidney stones. Turmeric contains a substance called curcumin. This has been shown in clinical trial after clinical trial to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects when consumed by humans. Sufficiently large doses of curcumin will reduce systemic inflammation, including inflammation at the joints. In doing so, it greatly reduces joint pain regardless of the exact reason for the inflammation. Besides this, glucosamine is less likely to be an effective treatment for other diseases or inflammatory conditions. People often use glucosamine to treat a wide variety of chronic inflammatory diseases, although scientific data to support this is limited. Interstitial cystitisAlthough glucosamine and chondroitin have been shown to lower systematic inflammation, it’s unknown whether they have any localized anti-inflammatory effects. Hadjigogos K. The role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Panminerva Med. 2003 Mar; 45(1): 7-13. In one small study, 34 participants with IBD who took N-Acetyl glucosamine — another form of glucosamine supplements — for 4 weeks reported significant improvements in symptoms like pain and diarrhea ( 18). Turmeric monograph. In: Memorial Sloan Kettering – Information source for herbs and botanicals. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York. Accessed via: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/turmeric [cited 04 Oct 2021]

This might lead to increased adverse effects, including myopathy (muscle weakness and/or pain), which is dose-dependent. Healthy fats: Turmeric is fat soluble. That means it dissolves in fat and not water. When it binds to fat, your body absorbs it more slowly and more curcumin makes it into your bloodstream.Tchetverikov I et al. MMP protein and activity levels in synovial fluid from patients with joint injury, inflammatory arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 May; 64(5): 694-698. Turmeric tea may also help prevent dangerous brain diseases. Some research has demonstrated that the compound curcumin can help reduce synaptic marker loss and the buildup of amyloids linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin is also useful in warding off strokes. Small changes in the dose can have a large effect and may result in unacceptable adverse effects for medicines with a narrow therapeutic index like warfarin, lithium, digoxin and phenytoin. It has a strong anti-inflammatory effect (the strongest of all herbs, in my opinion). It’s more potent even than: Taking turmeric or curcumin while you are undergoing cancer chemotherapy treatment is not recommended.

Turmeric is a staple in many cuisines in eastern parts of the world. The west better knows turmeric for its turmeric lattes. Eating turmeric regularly through food is generally considered safe. However, if you consume turmeric supplements for their antioxidant properties, consult a doctor.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition that affects your central nervous system. Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, tremors, and trouble walking, talking, and seeing. Also, if a person has an iron deficiency or is prone to one, they should be mindful that turmericmay impair iron absorption. Use statins cautiously with turmeric because the products turmeric breaks down into could increase statin blood levels.

A study in mice with IBD indicated that supplementing with glucosamine could reduce inflammation ( 19). Active 55+: regardless of your profession or recreational preferences, everyone ages and eventually succumbs to age-related joint degradation. Of the two, glucosamine seems more focused on improving joint health, whereas turmeric is a more multi-purpose “superfood.” Both are generally safe for daily supplementation. And both improve joint health and flexibility in their own ways.Though more direct and specific in its bioactivities, compared to turmeric’s multiple health benefits, glucosamine comes with a number of joint-related benefits, including: Chondrocyte Support Gupta S, Patchva S, Aggarwal B. Therapeutic Roles of Curcumin: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials. The AAPS Journal, 2013;15(1):195-218 By modulating COX-2 and MMP activity, turmeric proteins joint tissues (and many other bodily tissues) against the damaging effects of excess inflammation and connective tissue degradation. Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs)