In fact, most knee arthritis sufferers get only a minimal anti-inflammatory pain relief effect from these nutrients. That explains why you may have tried Glucosamine (and possibly Chondroitin) with minimal or no success for your knee arthritis pain - and, why the studies vary so widely in results. To better understand why Glucosamine and Chondroitin are nevertheless essential to joint health, let's discuss ...

What is Arthritis?

All arthritis knee pain, ultimately, is caused by cartilage damage with inflammation and swelling.

Cartilage is a slippery substance like Teflon that coats your knee bones, allowing them to slide across each other without friction. Damaged cartilage is like having sandpaper on the ends of your knee bones, rubbing together, constantly wearing away your joint - day after day, year after year - until there is little or no cartilage left.

Once you damage your knee cartilage, the resultant inflammation and swelling fires your pain nerves. In some severe cases, you may also lose the natural painkillers produced in your brain and spine, thereby making your pain even worse.

Glucosamine (along with Chondroitin) Helps Re-Grow Cartilage Damaged by Osteoarthritis

Glucosamine is one of the basic building blocks of cartilage and joint fluid. It is needed for your joint to make proteoglycans (glycosaminoglycans) for healthy joint fluid and knee cartilage. It is critically important for youthful joints. Glucosamine side effects are virtually non-existant unless you are allergic to shrimp or shellfish versions.

Those essential healthy-joint nutrients actually maintain, re-grow and thicken your knee cartilage. That re-growth effect can take up to one or two years - and continue over the years - according to several clinical studies that measured joint cartilage thickness with X-rays. Glucosamine, along with Chondroitin, cartilage (collagen type 2) , Hyaluronic acid and MSM, keeps your knee cartilage healthy and youthful.

Excellent Arthritis Relief Results!

I've been personally using ... and then offering joint pain Glucosamine supplements (along with Chondroitin) to my patients for several years. In my experience, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate do indeed protect, strengthen and re-grow a little healthy cartilage - but, at best, are only mild anti-inflammatories.

My recommendation for maximum knee arthritis pain relief, an anti-inflammatory state and cartilage re-growth is to take a joint formula from a reliable brand that combines Glucosamine along with Chondroitin, as well as other natural anti-inflammatories and healthy-joint nutrients.

Miracle Cure or Waste of Money?

Is Glucosamine a miracle cure for most arthritis sufferers? Yes - but only when combined with other natural anti-inflammatories and healthy joint nutrients.

Is Glucosamine a Waste of Money?

NO! If you want healthy youthful knee joints and cartilage, while protecting yourself from Osteoarthritis as long as possible, that's a nutrient that needs to be in your diet.

How Much Should I take?

As a rough guide: an adult should take 1500 mg of Glucosamine along with 1200 mg of Chondroitin, daily, with a meal - along with other joint nutrients.

I'm Allergic to Shellfish!

Most Glucosamine Sulfate is from shellfish. As an alternative, there are also corn-based Glucosamine HCL formulas.

HCL (Hydrochloride) or Sulfate - Which has the Highest Potency?

In clinical results, my research team and I never found any difference in potency between Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine HCL.

Coated Tablets or Capsules?

Many people (especially senior citizens) struggle to digest certain types of compressed tablets. Capsules seem to be the most effective delivery mechanism for Glucosamine, Sulfate or HCL.

Always choose an all-natural, pure Glucosamine formula with no preservatives.

Hopefully, the above information will help you find an answer for your knee arthritis pain.

Please - always check with your Doctor before making any changes in your diet, supplementation, medications or exercise program.