The joint cartilage is composed of collagen fibers, which impart tensile strength, and proteoglycan molecules (especially chondroitin and hyaluronic acid), which serve as a shock-absorbing cushion. The hands, as well as weight-bearing joints (knees, hips and spine), are areas that undergo the greatest stress from the impacting pressure of weight and movement. In order to maintain joint health, it is important that the collagen matrix, or the support structure of the cartilage, remains intact. Glucosamine is an aminomonosaccharide, which is a component of almost all human tissues, including cartilage. Glucosamine is the principal component of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which form the matrix of all connective tissues.
 

Glucosamine sulfate has a long history and an extensive body of research highlighting its role in protecting cartilage, the shock-absorbing, gel-like material located between the joints. As the key precursor to cartilage formation, glucosamine sulfate supports connective tissue health to provide full support for joint comfort, as well as integrity and movement, while maintaining normal inflammatory balance. Glucosamine sulfate is also a precursor to chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, both of which are natural compounds found in the synovial fluid of cartilage. The Glucosamine Sulfate formula provides maximum support for healthy joint function.

Joint Integrity and Movement

Glucosamine sulfate’s main physiological effect is to stimulate the production of glycosaminoglycans and promote the incorporation of sulfur into the cartilage to maintain its gel-like structure and ability to act as a shock absorber. Glucosamine is the most fundamental building block for the biosynthesis of other compounds required to maintain joint health including glycolipids, glycoproteins, hyaluronate and proteoglycans.

Normal Inflammatory Balance

Although exact mechanisms of action are yet to be established, research suggests that glucosamine supplementation helps modulate cytokine production in addition to directly stimulating chondrocytes (cartilage cells that help produce and maintain a healthy cartilage matrix), while aiding in the incorporation of sulfur into cartilage. Glucosamine has been found to maintain normal inflammatory balance and alleviate oxidative stress.