Glucosamine and Diabetes

[VickiP]

Hi,
I am not diabetic, I am 'borderline' diabetic and insulin resistant. I started taking glucosamine for a bad knee injury but it did not agree with me at all. I felt like I had gone off of my meds (I'm on glucophage) and started eating a lot of sugar. I also got a deep, cystic - type zit which I tend to get if I'm not eating well or if I'm off my meds.
I had read somewhere that it is bad for diabetics/insulin resistance people. I really want to take it b/c my knee is killing me and I want to start running again.
If anyone has any advice or experience with glucosamine or knows anything about it, I'd appreciate your input.
I am a 23 y/o female.
Thanks!

[doreen T]

hi there,

I'd posted some information about this a while ago ... I'll copy my message here for you ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?p=1359236&highlight=glucosamine#post1359236


Glucosamine should be used with caution by diabetics and persons with blood sugar or insulin resistance problems. Studies suggest that it can even increase the likelihood of developing insulin resistance in persons with normal blood sugars.

Glucosamine Sulfate : A Popular Arthritis Remedy May Be Linked To Diabetes

by Cathy Wong

Glucosamine is a substance that occurs naturally in the human body. It provides strength, flexibility, and elasticity to cartilage and connective tissue by stimulating the production of glycosaminoglycans, molecules that hold joint tissue together. Glucosamine also decreases inflammation that can lead to joint destruction.

With the potential to repair damaged joints and slow the progression of osteoarthritis, glucosamine has become an immensely popular dietary supplement around the world; in 1999, glucosamine was the top-selling dietary supplement in the United States, with annual sales of US $288 million.

However, a few clinical reports have suggested side effects that even health practitioners were initially unaware of. One woman reported that her diabetes symptoms worsened after taking glucosamine.

Why?

Glucosamine is ten times as potent as regular glucose in causing insulin resistance in animals. It can increase fasting blood glucose (sugar) levels and worsen glucose tolerance.

These side effects occur because glucosamine activates a metabolic pathway in the body that leads to the deterioration of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and causes insulin resistance, two factors associated with diabetes. Researchers at Johns Hopkins recently found that activation of this pathway, called the hexosamine pathway, causes proteins to be coated in sugar, preventing them from passing along insulin's message to regulate blood glucose.

Many studies have been conducted around the world on glucosamine, yet these side effects have not been noted. It may be that only certain people will react. Further study is needed on the safety of the oral supplement form. Until then, people taking glucosamine sulfate should consult a natural health practitioner.

article at about.com (http://yoga.about.com/library/weekly/aa051402a.htm)Judi [IslandGirl] posted the Johns Hopkins Study in our Research forum back in April 2002 ... you can read it here (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?postid=338641&highlight=glucosamine#post338641).

Doreen

[doreen T]

Some people find that a combination of glucosamine with chondroitin and MSM is really helpful. The combination allows you to take less glucosamine and still have good effect. You can also get glucosamine cream to can rub on the affected area, rather than having to swallow pills that are absorbed and circulate through the whole body. :idea:

I hope you're feeling better soon :rose:


Doreen

[VickiP]

Thanks Doreen! So I'm not crazy!
I'm going to see a specialist for my knee so maybe he'll be able to give me some more insight.

[Squid]

eeeeeep! Did NOT know that!

I am getting increasingly frustrated with the medical community for not passing on knowledge. So here's another thing they've recommended I find I've been taking that may not be good for me. The other one is birth control pills. After being on them for 20 years being told it was the best thing for me an endocrinologist finally pulled me off and said they can cause/worsen insulin resistance.

Is anyone else at the point you just don't trust much of what doctors tell you?

Squid