Joint pain is one of the most common reasons people end up in the doctor’s office. Arthritis and joint injuries can make going about your daily activities excruciating, if not completely impossible. While pain medications can temporarily relieve the discomfort, they don’t fix anything permanently. This sends people looking for a solution—preferably something natural that doesn’t have all of the nasty side effects of pain medicines. With a bit of research, people quickly discover the benefits of glucosamine.
Best 10 Glucosamine Supplementation Picks
I have selected the top 10 glucosamine supplements, which you might consider buying:
| Doctor's Best Glucosamine |  (4.4 / 5)Size: 240 count |
| Zenwise Labs - Joint Glucosamine Chondroitin |  (4.5 / 5)Size: 180 Tablets |
| Kirkland Signature Extra Strength Glucosamine | (4.5 / 5) Size: 375 Count |
| Schiff Glucosamine | (4.5 / 5) Size: 150 Count Coated Tablets |
| Viva Labs TRIPLE STRENGTH Glucosamine | (4.4 / 5) Size: 240 Capsules |
| Schiff Joint Supplement |  (4.6 / 5)Size: 150 Count |
| Move Free Glucosamine | (4.5 / 5) Size: 120 count |
| Muscle Nutrientz JOINTZ POWER | (4.4 / 5) Size: 200 capsules |
| NOW Foods Glucosamine | (4.6 / 5) Size: 180 Capsules |
| Nature Made Triple Flex | (4.5 / 5) Size: 120-Caplets |
What is Glucosamine?
A naturally-occurring substance in the cartilage throughout our bodies, glucosamine can also be found in shellfish. Scientists have also figured out how to make glucosamine in the laboratory.
What Does It Do?
Cartilage is hugely important in the proper function of our joints. From our elbows to our knees and hips, cartilage helps to cushion all of our joints. It also helps them move, lubricating them as they slide back and forth. Our cartilage is surrounded by a fluid that’s called synovium. This fluid helps feed the cartilage, keeping it happy, hydrated, and healthy. 
Over time, the cartilage in our joints can become injured. High-impact exercise can damage, inflame, and tear cartilage. Age also has an affect on our joints. As we get older, cartilage naturally gets worn down and joints can develop painful bone spurs. In addition to this, the synovial fluid that nourishes our cartilage can become thicker and inflamed. This causes joints to inflame and become painful.
Glucosamine helps counteract all of this. Researchers aren’t exactly sure how it works, but glucosamine seems to increase cartilage health. It likely helps increase cartilage thickness. Scientists also think that it may help increase the synovial fluid. What doctors do know is that joints need glucosamine to build cartilage, as well as ligaments and tendons. Your joints also use glucosamine to produce synovium. This suggests a strong connection between glucosamine and joint health
How to incorporate Glucosamine into your Diet
Unless you’re going eat ground up sea shells or gnaw on a lobster shell, there isn’t an easy way to get glucosamine through natural food sources. The best way to get glucosamine into your system is by taking a supplement. Researchers suggest that you look for “glucosamine sulfate,” as your body also needs sulfate to maintain cartilage health. Suggested dosage is 300 to 500 milligrams taken three times daily. It may take as much as a month for you to start noticing the benefits of glucosamine.
Supplements to Combine with Glucosamine
You will frequently see glucosamine sold in combination with something called chondroitin. This is because chondroitin helps reduce swelling in the joints. The reduction in swelling combined with increased cartilage and joint fluid health is what brings major relief to those who try these two supplements together. Shark cartilage is a natural source of chondroitin sulfate and seems to be helpful in combating pain and inflammation in those who are dealing with arthritis.
Boswellia Serrata is an herb that is often taken in combination with glucosamine. Like chondroitin, Boswellia Serrata helps reduce inflammation.
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is another great supplement to combine with glucosamine. High in sulfur, MSM is like glucosamine in that it can also help build cartilage.
Usually Most Glucosamine Supplements will include chondroitin and MSM, the supplements we recommended have them both.
Other Benefits of Glucosamine
In addition to being used as a supplement for joint aging, joint injury, and arthritis, glucosamine has many other uses. People also take it for interstitial cystitis, a bladder condition that causes pain and intense pressure. This condition causes issues with the mucus membrane that lines the bladder. Studies suggest that glucosamine can help strengthen this membrane and build it back up, bringing IC sufferers natural relief.
Glucosamine can also help people who are suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Although many people think of glucosamine as being a supplement for joints like knees and elbows that connect to our extremities, our jaw is also a joint that undergoes a lot of abuse. In some people, teeth-grinding, a bad bite, or a misaligned jaw can wear at and irritate that joint. Studies show that glucosamine can help improve jaw health, reducing some of the discomfort experienced by those with TMJ disorder.
Whether you’re an athlete or just getting older, it’s important to take care of your joints. Glucosamine can help you do that—allowing you to remain mobile for a lifetime.
