2 nurophen before going out works for me

try http://www.zipvit.co.uk/ for good prices.

If you stop taking the tablets does the pain return ?

What is glucosamine?
Glucosamine is a substance found throughout the body, but there are especially high levels in the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones. Cartilage cushions the joints and allows their smooth movement. Glucosamine is a combination of glucose and glutamic acid (an amino acid found in the body's proteins). It is a basic building block for various substances that form tendons, ligaments, joint cartilage and even joint fluid. Natural sources of glucosamine include lobster, crab and oyster shells, although much of it is manufactured synthetically.

How does glucosamine work?
Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage, and while the action of glucosamine is not fully understood, it is thought to reduce the progression of cartilage destruction and promote its regeneration.

What evidence is there of benefit?
Studies generally show glucosamine supplements have some benefit in osteoarthritis affecting the knees or hips. One larger study published in the renowned medical journal, the Lancet, compared glucosamine against a placebo (dummy medication) in people with osteoarthritis of the knees over 3 years. People taking glucosamine sulphate (1,500 mg a day) tended to have fewer symptoms and less deterioration in their knee joints. On average, people taking glucosamine had about a 20% to 25% improvement in symptoms, while those taking the placebo had a slight worsening of symptoms. More recently, a study in women also found that glucosamine appeared to not only improve symptoms but also X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis. The results of a very large American study, involving about 1,500 people, are expected later this year.

Are all glucosamine products the same?Various products on the market contain different types and amounts of glucosamine. Because it is classed as a complementary medicine, rather than a therapeutic medicine, glucosamine preparations are not subject to the same level of testing, and there may be variation in both purity and content of glucosamine from different manufacturers. Last August's Choice magazine claimed that this was the case with the top 10 Australian brands. Since then, several of the manufacturers have questioned the testing done by Choice and as a result, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has decided to investigate the claims.

Most of the clinical studies have used glucosamine sulphate but some have used glucosamine hydrochloride. Weight for weight, the hydrochloride salt contains more glucosamine than the sulphate salt. Pure glucosamine hydrochloride contains about 83% glucosamine, and pure glucosamine sulphate has about 65% glucosamine.

Some products also contain chondroitin, a related substance that is also a component of cartilage. There have been fewer studies with chondroitin, and the evidence of benefit is less strong.

How safe is glucosamine?Studies looking at the safety of glucosamine suggest that there are few side effects at the doses normally used to treat osteoarthritis. Some people may have mild stomach complaints, such as heartburn and diarrhoea. Although no allergic reactions have been reported, glucosamine is not recommended for people with seafood allergies.

Who might benefit?
Glucosamine doesn't help everyone with osteoarthritis. Those with more severe arthritis and pain seem less likely to benefit. A trial of glucosamine 1,500 mg per day in divided doses (500 mg, 3 times a day) for at least 3 months is recommended. In most studies, it took 3 to 4 weeks before any improvement in pain and function was noticed. If you would like to know more about glucosamine talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Shawn wrote:
Hmmm, I like the sound of this stuff. I have plenty of niggling injuries that i'd love to be without - more through being stupid than old age I suspect tho'.

So - glucosamine & omega 3 you say..? I shall give it a whirl...

Mate, you can take all the tablets you like, none of them will prevent your fin sticking in your leg!!!

Doh! Damn - my mistake. I thought I'd found the solution for a mo' then too.

My leg is just about better now, after getting quite infected & smelling like one of those dead sheep you see at the bottom of big cliffs, and oozing nasty green stuff everywhere. Hmmm, nice.

Slim wrote:
Shawn wrote:
Hmmm, I like the sound of this stuff. I have plenty of niggling injuries that i'd love to be without - more through being stupid than old age I suspect tho'.

So - glucosamine & omega 3 you say..? I shall give it a whirl...

Mate, you can take all the tablets you like, none of them will prevent your fin sticking in your leg!!!

funni funni funni...