Evidence supporting the use of: Glucosamine Sulfate
For the body system: Joints
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Glucosamine sulfate is widely used as a dietary supplement for supporting joint health, primarily for individuals with osteoarthritis. The scientific evidence for its effectiveness is mixed, but several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that glucosamine sulfate (especially the crystalline form) may provide modest benefits in reducing joint pain and improving function, particularly in the knee. The proposed mechanism involves its role as a building block for glycosaminoglycans, which are essential components of cartilage. Some studies have shown that glucosamine sulfate may help slow joint space narrowing, suggesting a potential disease-modifying effect, though this remains controversial.
However, other well-conducted trials have reported minimal or no clinically significant benefit compared to placebo. The variability in outcomes may be due to differences in the formulation (sulfate vs. hydrochloride), dosage, patient population, and study design. Despite the inconsistent results, glucosamine sulfate has a long history of use, a good safety profile, and remains recommended by some clinical guidelines as a symptomatic treatment option for osteoarthritis, especially for those seeking alternatives to NSAIDs. Overall, while glucosamine sulfate is not a cure, there is enough scientific evidence to justify its use for joint support, albeit with modest expectations for efficacy.
Other ingredients that support Joints
Alfalfaalgal oil
amino acids
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
black cumin
black currant
sesame
borage oil
boron
Indian frankincense
bovine
bovine gelatin
broccoli
bromelain
burdock
cabbage leaf
calamari oil
cartilage
cat's claw
cherry
Chinese salvia root
chondroitin
cissus quadrangularis
collagen
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
devil's claw
dog rose
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gelatin
ginger
glucosamine
gokhru
gooseberry
gotu kola
green lipped mussel
guggul
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian tinospora
knotweed
krill oil
L-proline
mackerel
manganese
marine lipid
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC)
milk
moringa
mustard seed
n-acetyl-glucosamine
nettle
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
phellodendron amurense
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
pineapple
plantain
protein
quercetin
rehmannia glutinosa
rhizome
rose hips
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
silicon
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
triphala
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
water
white willow
wild yam
sarsaparilla
red clover
boneset
chickweed
gastrodia
capsicum
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
punarnava
commiphora
paederia foetida
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
rubia cordifolia
chaff flower
peony
Szechuan lovage
prickly ash
myrrh
juniper berries
solomon's seal
siler root
flowering quince
dioscorea
teasel
eucommia
ganoderma
morinda
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
polyphenols
anemarrhena asphodeloides
yucca
barrenwort
wintergreen
camphor oil
coix
gentiana macrophylla
noni
herbal blend (proprietary)
Algae
cayenne pepper
ashitaba
gravel root
bladderwrack
arnica
clematis
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Aralia
Animal Tissue
Antler
Avian Cartilage
Achyranthes
Anamu
Avocado
Asteracea
Abuta
Amor seco
Animal protein
Bone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
Biopeptide
Babchi
Bidens pilosa
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Bugbane
Baicalein
Bovine Protein
berry
Bogbean
Black Gram
Boswellia
Black Poplar
Black willow
Ba Ji Tian
Bone Protein
Bee products
Bombax
Borage
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Bee venom
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Curculigo orchicides
Comfrey
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Crustaceans
Cod Liver Oil
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
Capsaicin
Chuchuhuasi
Curcumen
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Cissus sicyoides
Chicken
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
Campsiandra angustifolia
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Chebulinic acid
Carthamus
Copaiba Oil
Currant
Deer Root
Deer Velvet
Drynaria
Devil's Club
Dwarf Nettle
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipsacus
Elephant Vine
Egg
Elk antler
Emu Oil
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Evening Primrose Oil
European-Five Finger Grass
Escin
Eucommia ulmoides
Ecklonia
Figwort
Flavonoids
Fang-Feng
Fat liver oil
Fructoborate
Fish
Fatty acids
Flemingia philippinensis
Frankincense
Fir
Gnaphalium
Growth factors
Guaiac
Glycine
Garden Cress
Glycosaminoglycans
Guggulsterones
Golden Willow
Guazuma ulmifolia
Horse Gram
Heartsease
hydroxyproline
Hygrophila
Heal-All
Henna
Hairy Arnica
Harpagoside
Indian Nightshade
iridoids
Indian Sarsparilla
Iporuru
Indian Coraltree
Immortelle
Japanese Kadsura
Joe-Pye
Job's Tears
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
Knotgrass
Lithothamnion
Ledebouriella
Little ironweed
Loranthus
Ligusticum
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mangiferin
Mineral ascorbate
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Marine Protein
Mucopolysaccharide
Marine fat
Meadowsweet
Marking Nut Tree
Millettia
Nigella Seed
Nimbidin
Oroxylum indicum
Oxindole alkaloids
Osthole
Phellodendron
Puerarin
Premna
Pluchea
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Proteoglycans
Poplar
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Proteolytic Enzymes
Polyunsaturated Fat
Phlomis umbrosa
Pansit-pansitan
portulaca
Polygonatum
Paeoniflorin
Physalis angulata
Pycnogenol
Polygonum
Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peptides
Qin Jiao
Rue
Rubus
Rockweed
Rosmarinic Acid
Rehmannia
Rhus coraria
Rubia yunnanensis
Rhus coriaria
Rhododendron
Sanicle
Sichuan Lovage
Silkmoth
Schizochytrium Oil
Stephania root
Sargentodoxa
Spanish Needle
Sausage Tree
Siegesbeckia
Smartweed
Shikonin
Salicin
Shellfish
Spiraea
Salmon Oil
Sida cordifolia
Spatholobus
Sinomenium acutum
Semecarpus anacardium
Stereospermum
Skunkvine
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sulfur
Sweet Bay
silica
Shilajit
Sargassum
Sassafras
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymoquinone
Tripeptide
Taxillus Sutchuenensis
Triterpenes
Taxillus chinensis
Tayuya
Tynanthus panurensis
Turmerones
Tasmannia lanceolata
Uraria picta
Uncaria
Vegetable Protein
Vladimiria souliei
Withanolides
Wrightia tinctoria
Willow
White Poplar
Willow Bracket
Zedoary