Glucosamine isn't at fault.According to a new study the popular dietary supplement glucosamine glucosamine /glu·co·sa·mine/ (gloo-ko´sah-men) an amino derivative of glucose, occurring in glycosaminoglycans and a variety of complex polysaccharides such as blood group substances. doesn't cause insulin resistance Insulin Resistance Definition Insulin resistance is not a disease as such but rather a state or condition in which a person's body tissues have a lowered level of response to insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps to regulate the level , the precursor of type 2, or adult onset, diabetes. Glucosamine, a sugar that's naturally produced by the body, collects in cartilage and other connective tissue. Millions of people take glucosamine supplements to relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis osteoarthritis or osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease Most common joint disorder, afflicting over 80% of those who reach age 70. It does not involve excessive inflammation and may have no symptoms, especially at first. . Previous animal and human studies had found that "giving glucosamine can impair insulin's action, which can potentially make [people] diabetic or worsen diabetes," says Rajaram J. Karne, now of the Ohio State University Ohio State University, main campus at Columbus; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1870, opened 1873 as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College, renamed 1878. There are also campuses at Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark. Medical Center in Columbus. However, participants in those studies received high doses of glucosamine by injection. Karne and his colleagues at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, n.pr established in 1998 as a Center of the National Institutes of Health. Supports and conducts research on complementary and alternative med-icine and informs healthcare pro-fessionals about in Bethesda, Md., tested a commonly used dose of oral glucosamine in 20 normal-weight and 20 obese adults. Each volunteer took a 6-week course of either three 500-milligram pills of glucosamine daily or a placebo. Researchers tested each person's insulin sensitivity at the beginning and end of the study. "We're glad to say that 6 weeks of glucosamine doesn't make any measurable difference on insulin's action," Karne says.--K.T. |
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