Glucosamine is a natural amino sugar found in our body tissues that cushion our joints. The body produces Glucosamine naturally and distributes it in cartilage and other connective tissue. It plays a key role in cartilage construction and the incorporation of sulfur into cartilage. Some studies suggest that glucosamine sulfate potassium may reduce stiffness, joint swelling and osteoarthritis related pain. Research indicates that it may have disease-modifying effects, such as significantly reducing narrowing of the knee-joint space.

Your body’s natural glucosamine levels decrease as you age. This can lead to a slow breakdown of the joint compounds. This therefore weakens your joints and causes joint pain. This is why glucosamine is such a popular supplement and ingredient for combatting joint pain.

It is sold as a dietary supplement to treat joint pain, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates it as a food rather than a drug. People spend nearly 21 billion dollars annually on natural joint supplements as an alternative to drugs which can have harmful side effects. We would like to explain further why Flexcin includes glucosamine sulfate potassium as a key ingredient in our joint pain supplement to help consumers relieve pain without side effects.

Clinical Studies of Glucosamine

A recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) published study regarding glucosamine analyzed 54 different clinical studies involving 16,427 knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The aim was to determine the effectiveness of glucosamine in treating pain and improving joint functions. This study analyzed and gathered the results from other clinical studies to investigate the effectiveness and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin, the two in combination, or celecoxib in the treatment of OA.

They took a careful look at each study to determine if the results were reliable, they looked at adverse reactions, and published their results. The study concluded that “the results indicated significant effects of glucosamine … in pain relief and function improvement compared to the placebo group.”

Furthermore, “…no significant difference was observed among the five treatment options with respect to adverse effects. However, the additional classical meta-analysis showed that celecoxib exhibited a higher rate of GI adverse effect comparing with placebo.” In other words, glucosamine did not show adverse side effects, while the NSAID celecoxib caused stomach irritations.

What About Chondroitin?

Glucosamine is often found paired with chondroitin in supplements. Chondroitin is a complex carbohydrate that the body produces naturally to help cartilage retain water and cushion the joints.

Studies on chondroitin have been mixed and  do not confirm that it works effectively to reduce pain when taken orally. The reasons for inconsistent results in studies that use chondroitin are uncertain. It may be caused by differences in products, study design, or study subjects. In general, studies suggest that people with osteoarthritis can gain some advantage from taking chondroitin, but pain relief is likely to be less significant.

For more information on chondroitin, we wrote an in depth article on this supplement that can be found here.

Glucosamine Types

When it comes to glucosamine there are different types. The two types that most commonly used in supplements are glucosamine sulfate potassium or GSP, which is the glucosamine used in Flexcin, and glucosamine hydrochloride.

GSP is taken from the shells of shellfish and can also be made in a lab. The body uses GSP to make a variety of other chemicals for the construction of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and a thick fluid that is found around the joints. Taking a supplement with GSP aims to increase the cartilage or fluid around the joints and may stop or slow the breakdown of these substances.

Glucosamine hydrochloride (GHCl) has less evidence available showing its effectiveness. It is also found in the shells of shellfish. Unlike Glucosamine sulfate potassium it lacks the sulfate component. This is the element your body needs to produce and maintain cartilage. Glucosamine HCl contains much less sodium. GHCl is often times found with chondroitin in hopes for better results. However, current findings in trials and research do not support this.

For more of an in depth analyis of these two types, and why Flexcin contains GSP as opposed to GHCl please read our previous article here.

Glucosamine Sulfate Potassium & Flexcin

We include glucosamine sulfate potassium as a key part of the proprietary ingredients in Flexcin because we have researched and put together a high quality formula based on research for safety and effectiveness in relieving joint pain.* In addition to GSP, Flexcin uses a combination of all natural ingredients to relieve joint pain including: CM8 (Cetyl-Myristoleate), Hydrolyzed Collagen Type II, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Bromelain, and a blend of digestive enzymes.*

At Flexcin we stand behind our products and offer a 90 day supply of Flexcin, with no financial risk to you. If you’re not satisfied with the results you experience simply return your first order (up to three empty bottles) for a full refund of the purchase price, less shipping and handling.

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