In the context of longevity research, many people are concerned with keeping their bodies healthy for as long as possible. In addition to maintaining cognitive performance, muscles and general cell health, this also includes healthy joints and bones. In this article, we therefore focus on a substance that has been known for some time: glucosamine. For decades the molecule has been the focus of research into joint pain and, more recently, longevity. But what is it really all about and is it worth taking glucosamine? We explain
Glucosamine at a glance
Glucosamine occurs naturally in our body. The substance is a component of our articular fluid, our cartilage and our connective tissue. As the name suggests, glucosamine is a compound consisting of a sugar and an amino group. However, it is not only found in the human body, but also in the shells of shellfish, in animal bones and in bone marrow. Glucosamine is also found naturally in some mushrooms.
In our body, the molecule serves as a precursor for the production of glycosylated proteins and fats. The glycosylation refers to the chemical reaction in which carbohydrates z.B. are combined with proteins or fats.
How is glucosamine produced
It is produced in various ways. One possibility is the extraction of glucosamine from the further processing of chitin from shellfish such as z.BCrabs, shrimps or lobsters. The production by hydrolysis (splitting) of chitin was first achieved by a German researcher in 1876.
What you need to know: As many food supplements containing glucosamine are derived from shellfish, they may not be safe for people with a shellfish allergy. This is why many products carry a warning. In this case, you can buy glucosamine of plant origin or derived from mushrooms.
For the animal-free production of glucosamine for vegans or vegetarians, the substance z.B. is obtained from the fungus Aspergillus niger or from the fermentation of maize . It is therefore also possible to take vegan glucosamine and avoid an allergic reaction to shellfish.
Glucosamine and chondroitin - is the combination worthwhile
Glucosamine is available in various forms. The most common forms are glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetylglucosamine. Of these forms, glucosamine sulphate in particular is thought to have a possible effect on osteoarthritis. However, many manufacturers sell glucosamine in combination with other preparations such as z.B. chondroitin or dimethylsulfone or methylsulfonylmethane (MSM for short).
However, there is currently no solid and justifiable study situation for this. There is very little data on this. However, the Swiss longevity researcher Collin Ewald is investigating the substance chondroitin with regard to a possible life-prolonging effect. More on this later.
Why and when should you supplement with glucosamine?
Glucosamine has been sold as a nutritional supplement for decades. The manufacturers usually suggest a positive effect on joints and knee pain. As a result, many people with joint inflammation or pain buy this product in the hope that it will alleviate the condition. The idea is that the glucosamine is absorbed by the body and z.B. incorporated into the joint or cartilage.
An older meta-study concluded that that glucosamine sulphate alone or in combination with chondroitin has no pain-relieving effect in patients with osteoarthritis. In addition, no demonstrable effect on joint wear was observed. In contrast, however, there is a more recent meta-analysis from 2020. This concluded that glucosamine sulphate at a dose of 1500 mg per day could very well have a cartilage-protective effect, reduce pain and increase mobility.
High purity glucosamine sulphate from MoleQlar is available in a supply pack of 90 capsules.
Glucosamine and osteoarthritis - a closer look
The consumer advice center points out on its website that glucosamine has shown contradictory results in the studies and the connection with improved joint function is not given - this is true for now, but it is still worth taking a closer look at the (especially newer) studies.
First of all, we need to distinguish between two clinical pictures. Osteoarthritis - i.e. the age-related loss of cartilage and arthritis - an inflammatory joint disease. These two terms are often confused and the distinction is very important, because the disease mechanism is different!
Without delving too deeply into medicine, you can remember that the main difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the inflammatory response . If you look at the studies on glucosamine and osteoarthritis , it is true that the results are sometimes contradictory. On the other hand, the studies on glucosamine and arthritis are more conclusive.
In temporomandibular joint arthritis, for example, the researchers were able to identify a significant benefit from glucosamine supplementation. The important factor here was the longer intake of glucosamine, in this case at least three months.
Glucosamine and longevity
In addition to the issue of joints, glucosamine has recently been in the scientific headlines, particularly in relation to longevity . Back in 2014, researchers discovered a life-prolonging effect of glucosamine in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . The extent to which these results can be transferred to humans is not yet clear. A study from 2018 confirmed these results in the same model organism. The life-prolonging effect was attributed to the activation of autophagy
A recently published study from 2022 also concluded that higher glucosamine levels may increase life expectancy . An article by Dr. Collin Ewald, a leading longevity researcher at ETH Zurich, was published in the renowned journal Frontiers in Aging in 2021. In his Ewaldlab the Swiss researcher investigates the molecular mechanisms of healthy ageing. He placed chondroitin at the center of his research and came to the conclusion that the molecule may be a suitable geroprotector. By this he means a molecule with age-protective effects.
What should I pay attention to when taking it?
As with all dietary supplements, it is advisable to speak to a suitable specialist beforehand. In any case, you should avoid simply taking the substance in very high quantities in an uncontrolled manner, as this could lead to side effects. In addition, people taking blood-thinning medication should consult a doctor, as interactions between glucosamine and medications from the vitamin K antagonist group may occur.
Good to know : The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends that people with impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes mellitus should also be careful when taking glucosamine. The amino sugar can make blood sugar control difficult.
Before starting supplementation, it is advisable to talk to your trusted doctor.
Glucosamine has an effect on the microbiome
The change of the microbiome is one of the hallmarks of ageing. With age, the diversity of bacteria decreases and the symbiosis develops into a dysbiosis . For this reason, the microbiome is one of the most central areas of research, as many diseases are associated with an imbalance.
Glucosamine was examined in this review for its interaction with the microbiome. The idea behind it: only about half of the glucosamine is absorbed via the intestine, the rest is available to the bacteria . In preclinical studies, supplementation of glucosamine was able to increase the number of potentially beneficial bacteria, while at the same time suppressing the more harmful bacteria.
Glucosamine as an autophagy enhancer
The researchers attribute the potential longevity effects of glucosamine to its ability to increase autophagy. Autophagy is the cell's own recycling system, which no longer functions as efficiently in old age. The altered autophagy is therefore also one of the hallmarks of ageing.
Glucosamine activates autophagy in the body via various signaling pathways, including the mTOR pathway , similar to fasting . Spermidine is also often investigated in this context. Improved autophagy is associated with some health benefits and presumably this pathway is also responsible for the positive results in the animals.
The molecular mode of action of glucosamine may also explain why glucosamine is more effective in arthritis than osteoarthritis. As you may remember, inflammation plays a crucial role in arthritis. Glucosamine acts via the NF-kB pathway, among other things, and thus reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. There are therefore fewer messenger substances that promote inflammation.
Did you know Fasting also works on a molecular level. It is one of the most effective methods of activating autophagy in the body. Fasting mimetics have a similar approach . These are molecules that suggest a nutrient deficiency to the body, although none is present. You can therefore support autophagy without fasting. In addition to glucosamine, Berberin and Spermidine are also considered fasting mimetics. You can get all three together in our fasting bundle .
Glucosamine and its effect on blood glucose
There are various studies that take a closer look at the interaction between blood sugar and glucosamine. First of all, a distinction must be made between people who already have a disturbed sugar metabolism ( Insulin resistance) (or already manifest diabetes mellitus).For these people, every extra gram of sugar per day can make management more difficult.
On the other hand, increased glucosamine intake in non-diabetics was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes . Even though this was only an observational study, over 400,000 people were included.
Another point is the question of weight gain. In some animal experiments, the supplemented mice showed a higher body weight. However, these results could not be reproduced in humans.
Fazit
Glucosamine is a scientifically well-researched and widely sold dietary supplement. The study situation for joint and knee pain is not yet entirely clear. New large studies are tending towards a demonstrable effect . In the context of longevity research, however, glucosamine could be a promising substance in the fight against ageing.
Here, too, there is still some way to go on the scientific path to discover the full potential of the molecule in various organisms. Until then, it remains exciting to see what research will be carried out in the coming years on our ageing process and what role glucosamine will play in this. The current studies suggest great things.
