In the context of longevity research, many are focused on keeping their bodies healthy for as long as possible. This includes maintaining cognitive performance, muscle health, and overall cell health, as well as healthy joints and bones. In this article, we will therefore dedicate ourselves to the well-known substance: glucosamine. The molecule has been the focus of research for decades regarding joint pain and, more recently, longevity . But what is the truth, and is it worth taking glucosamine? We will clarify.
Glucosamine at a glance
Glucosamine occurs naturally in our body.The substance is a component of our joint fluid, our cartilage , and our connective tissue. As the name suggests, glucosamine is a compound made up of a sugar and an amino group. It is found not only in our bodies but also in the shells of shellfish, in animal bones, and in bone marrow. Glucosamine is also naturally present in some fungi.
The molecule serves in our body as a precursor for the production of glycosylated proteins and fats. Glycosylation refers to the chemical reaction in which carbohydrates z.B are linked with proteins or fats.
How is glucosamine produced?
The production occurs through various methods.One possibility is the extraction of glucosamine from the processing of chitin from shellfish such as z.B. Crabs, shrimp, or lobsters. The production through hydrolysis (splitting) of chitin was first achieved in 1876 by a German researcher.
Interesting facts: Since many dietary supplements containing glucosamine are derived from shellfish, these may not be safe for people with a shellfish allergy. Therefore, many products carry a warning label. 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. from the fungus Aspergillus niger or from the fermentation of corn . There is therefore the possibility of also taking vegan glucosamine and avoiding an allergic reaction to shellfish.
Glucosamine and chondroitin – is the combination worth it?
Glucosamine is available in various forms. The most common forms are glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetylglucosamine. Of these forms, especially glucosamine sulfate is attributed a possible effect in osteoarthritis. Many manufacturers sell glucosamine in combination with other preparations such as z.B. Chondroitin or dimethyl sulfone or methylsulfonylmethane (short: MSM).
However, there is currently no established and justifiable body of studies for this. The data on this is very thin. However, Swiss longevity researcher Collin Ewald is investigating the substance chondroitin regarding a possible life-extending effect. More on that later.
Why and when should one supplement glucosamine?
Glucosamine has been sold as a dietary supplement for decades. Manufacturers usually suggest a positive effect on joints and knee pain. Therefore, many people with joint inflammation or pain buy this product in the hope that it alleviates the condition.The concept is based on the idea that glucosamine is absorbed by the body and z.B is incorporated into the joint or cartilage.
An older meta-study concluded that glucosamine sulfate alone or in combination with chondroitin has no pain-relieving effect in patients with osteoarthritis. Furthermore, no detectable effect on joint wear could be observed. In contrast, however, there is a more recent meta-analysis from 2020. This concluded that glucosamine sulfate at a dose of 1500 mg per day does indeed have a cartilage-protecting effect, could reduce pain, and increase mobility.
High-purity glucosamine sulfate from MoleQlar is available in a bulk 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 studies and that the connection with improved joint function is not established – that is true at first, but it is still worth taking a closer look at the (especially newer) studies.
First of all, we need to distinguish between two medical conditions. The osteoarthritis – that is, age-related loss of cartilage and the arthritis – an inflammatory joint disease.These two terms are often confused, and the distinction is very important because the disease mechanism is different!
Without diving too deep into medicine, you can remember that the main difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the inflammatory response . Looking at the studies on glucosamine and osteoarthritis , it is true that the results are sometimes contradictory. In contrast, the studies on glucosamine and arthritis are more significant.
Thus, researchers were able to identify a significant benefit from glucosamine supplementation in cases of temporomandibular joint arthritis. It was important that glucosamine was taken for a longer period, in this case, at least three months.
Glucosamine and Longevity
In addition to joint issues, glucosamine has recently been in the scientific headlines primarily in relation to longevity . As early as 2014, researchers found a life-extending effect of glucosamine in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . The extent to which these results can be transferred to humans is not yet clear at this time. A study from 2018 confirmed these results in the same model organism. The life-extending effect was attributed to the activation of autophagy .
A recent study published in 2022 also concluded that higher glucosamine levels may potentially 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 aging. He focused on chondroitin in his research and concluded 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 consult with qualified professionals beforehand.It should definitely be avoided to take the substance uncontrollably in very high amounts, as this could lead to side effects. Furthermore, people who are taking blood-thinning medications should consult a doctor, as there may be interactions between glucosamine and medications from the group of vitamin K antagonists. Good to know: The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends that people with impaired glucose tolerance or manifest diabetes mellitus should also be cautious when taking glucosamine. The amino sugar can complicate blood sugar regulation.
Before starting a supplementation, it is advisable to talk to your trusted doctor.
Glucosamine affects the microbiome
The change of the microbiome is one of the Hallmarks of Aging. With age, the diversity of bacteria decreases and the symbiosis develops into a dysbiosis. For this reason, the microbiome is one of the central areas of research, as many diseases are associated with an imbalance.
Glucosamine has been studied in this review for its interaction with the microbiome.The idea behind it: only about half of the glucosamine is absorbed through the intestine, the rest is available to the bacteria. In preclinical studies, the supplementation of glucosamine was able to increase the number of potentially health-promoting bacteria, while simultaneously suppressing the more harmful bacteria.
Glucosamine as an autophagy enhancer
The potential longevity effects of glucosamine are attributed by researchers to glucosamine's ability to enhance autophagy. Autophagy is the cell's own recycling system, which does not function as efficiently with age. The altered autophagy is therefore also one of the hallmarks of aging.
Glucosamine activates autophagy in the body through various signaling pathways, including the mTOR pathway, similar to how fasting does. In this context, spermidine is often studied as well. Improved autophagy is associated with several health benefits, and this pathway is likely responsible for the positive results in animals.
The molecular mechanism of action of glucosamine may also explain why glucosamine is more effective in arthritis than in osteoarthritis. As you may remember, inflammation plays a crucial role in arthritis. inflammation is a key factor. Glucosamine works, among other things, via the NF-kB pathway and thus reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This means there are fewer messengers that promote inflammation.
Did you know? Fasting can also be molecular. It is one of the most effective methods to activate autophagy in the body. A similar approach is taken by fasting mimetics. These are molecules that suggest a nutrient deficiency to the body, even though none exists. This way, you can support the autophagy without fasting. In addition to glucosamine, fasting mimetics also include berberine and spermidine.You can get all three together in our fasting bundle.
Glucosamine and its effect on blood sugar
Regarding blood sugar and glucosamine, there are various studies that examine the interaction more closely. First of all, one must distinguish between individuals who already have a disturbed sugar metabolism (Iinsulin resistance) (or already have manifest diabetes mellitus). For these individuals, every additional gram of sugar per day can complicate management.
On the other hand, an increased intake of glucosamine has been associated with a lower occurrence of diabetes in non-diabetics.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.
Conclusion
Glucosamine is a scientifically well-researched and frequently sold dietary supplement. The current study situation regarding joint and knee pain is still not entirely clear. New large studies tend to indicate a measurable effect. In the context of longevity research, however, glucosamine could be a promising substance in the fight against aging.
There is still a piece of the scientific journey to be taken to explore the full potential of the molecule in various organisms. Until then, it remains exciting to see what will be researched in the coming years regarding our aging process and what role glucosamine will play in it. Current studies suggest great things.
