GLUCOSAMINE

Glucosamine
Glucosamine is an aminosugar. It is made in the body from the simple carbohydrate glucose (sugar) and the amino acid glutamine. Although our bodies generally use glucose to produce energy, the aminosugars found in glucosamine are incorporated into the structure of body tissue. Glucosamine is involved in the formation of cartilage, nails, tendons, skin, eyes, bones, ligaments, and heart valves. It also plays a role in the mucous secretions of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts. Of particular interest is its role in cartilage.

Cartilage is connective tissue at the ends of bones (where it is known as articular cartilage). It separates bones so that they do not grind together, causing stiffness and pain. Cartilage also serves as a shock absorber. Briefly put, cartilage protects our bones from the wear and tear of movement.

One way to think of cartilage is as a super sponge. It soaks up water (more accurately, synovial fluid) when a joint is at rest, and squeezes out the water when a joint moves. As the joint rests again, it again soaks up water. This spongelike effect of cartilage makes it a shock absorber, buffering our bones and body from the wear and tear of making thousands of movements per day. Cartilage is also slippery—five to eight times more slippery than ice. Thus, when two bones do meet, the cartilage at the ends of each bone allows them to slide off each other, adding to the buffering effect.

The Role of glucosamine
Glucosamine stimulates chondrocytes to produce more collagen and proteoglycans. The more glucosamine there is, the more collagen and proteoglycans there are, and the more water can be absorbed. The end result is healthier cartilage. Because of these properties, glucosamine can help the body help itself repair damaged or eroded cartilage. It works at the cellular level to reinforce our natural "repair" ability.

Glucosamine
Both glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCL are forms of glucosamine. Glucosamine makes up 63 percent of glucosamine sulfate and 83 percent of glucosamine HCL. Most human studies have used glucosamine sulfate. This is because the company that paid for the research developed this form. Glucosamine HCL has not been evaluated as extensively, but clinical experience from a variety of health practitioners indicates that glucosamine HCL works just as well. Many health practitioners recommend trying one, and if that does not work, trying the other. Frame Essentials gives you both of these at once.

When things go wrong
As we age, the millions of movements we have made in our lives begin to wear and tear on cartilage. Catilage begins to deteriorate, and our bones begin to rub together. This becomes noticeable around age 45, and often happens in the fingers, knees, hips, neck, and lower back. Cartilage can also be destroyed through trauma, injury, and repetitive actions.

What to do
One way to counter the deterioration and destruction of cartilage is to increase the amount of glucosamine your body has—remember, glucosamine helps the body build and repair damaged cartilage. Glucosamine is not only a "builder" but also a painkiller. In sum, it improves joint function and reduces pain. It makes no difference whether it comes from foods we eat or from supplements.

I used 3 glucosamine - chondroitin caplets per day, 1500mg per day, for 8 months with no noticable results. AFTER ONLY 6 WEEKS of the NEW MSM, GLUCOSAMINE, BOSWELLIN product, FRAME ESSENTIALS, I was able to make a full tight fist with both hands without any fingers "locking up". I am 73 years young, it is great to have my fingers working again! Read my Testimony.