While there is no magic pill or substance, glucosamine is a strong weapon in the fight against osteoarthritis. You don’t have to be a biochemist to understand the way they are helpful and how they work in your body.

Glucosamine may inhibit or stabilize cartilage growth, its anti-inflammatory ability and its ability to help decrease damages to cartilage. You can find glucosamine as a topical cream, topical patches and an oral form, which is the most common.

Glucosamine has been shown to help decrease pain caused by patients with osteoarthritis, and has been fairly commonly used by physicians, pharmacists, and arthritis sufferers for over fifteen years.

While taking glucosamine isn’t an exact science, and there is no definitive study, I have seen a drastic increase in patients who utilize it as a daily regimen that report significant joint relief.

While glucosamine may not be for everyone (especially if you have a shellfish allergy) it may be very helpful for arthritis sufferers while having minimal risk to side effects. In one physician’s opinion, it certainly cannot hurt when taken properly and with the right precautions.