Guide to Glucosamine Products

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glucosamine

A Guide to Glucosamine Products

Glucosamine is very beneficial in the treatment for arthritis and is backed by numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. In these studies, glucosamine has been shown to rehabilitate cartilage; reduce the progression of osteoarthritis; and significantly lessen pain from arthritis. However, one glucosamine product can be very different from another.

When your pain relief and health is at stake, you need to know how to choose between competing products and see through the marketing hype. There are six factors to be considered:

Amount of glucosamine per daily dose
Type of Glucosamine
Quality of Ingredients
Delivery System
Synergistic Ingredients
Price Per Day

It is very important to compare price per day and not price per product, as many companies try to fool you by providing 60 capsules or 32 oz. and not telling you until after you purchased that you must use 6 capsules or 2 oz. per day. You should compare cost based on daily dosage.

Did you know that the absorption rate and bio-availability of the glucosamine in pills is significantly less than that when glucosamine is delivered in liquid form? The "claimed fact" that pills are the only and best way to obtain glucosamine is simply not true.

Glucosamine provided in liquid form is absorbed more quickly, much more fully, and provides greater and longer lasting relief.

First we will review the leading liquid products...

Syn-flex

Syn-flex

Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose: 1250 mg

Type of Glucosamine: both Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine HCL

Quality of Glucosamine: Pharmaceutical Quality

Delivery System: Liquid

Synergistic Ingredients:
Chondroitin Sulfate, Boswellin, Yucca Powder, Manganese Ascorbate, Bromelain, Vitamin C, Omega 3 Fatty Acid, Omega 6 Fatty Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin E

Price per day: $.94

Website: http://www.activexamerica.com

	Corta-Flex™
Corta-Flex™	Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose: 100 mg Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine Sulfate Quality of Glucosamine: not known Delivery System: Liquid Synergistic Ingredients: 100 mg. of MSM, 300 mg. of Mucopolysaccharides (a claimed source of Chondroitin) Price per day: $.62

Arti-flex™

Arti-Flex™

Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose: 1500 mg

Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine HCL

Quality of Glucosamine: not known

Delivery System: Liquid

Synergistic Ingredients:
1200 mg of Chondroitin Sulfate, 600 mg of MSM, 1 mg of Manganese, 500mg of Vitamin C, 20 mg of Yucca, 15 mg of Boswellic Acid

Price per day: $1.47 (with recommended double-dosing price per day goes to $1.87)

A note on MSM: There is little credible evidence that this substance is of any value. Worse yet, many MSM containing products are derived from DMSO, a substance that should not be taken orally. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an industrial compound that has been touted as a relief for inflamed joints. While it may give temporary relief, it is unproven and may cause skin irritation and diarrhea. Interestingly, the claim to fame for MSM is that it supplies the body with extra sulfur. Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate products contain ample amounts of sulfur.

	Joint Juice™
Joint Juice™	Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose: 1500mg Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine HCL Quality of Glucosamine: not stated Delivery System: Liquid Synergistic Ingredients: 16 mg Vitamin C Price per day: $1.99 buying one bottle at a time, $1.29 buying by the 12 pack.

The Capsule Products

Reminder: Glucosamine provided in liquid form is absorbed more quickly, much more fully, and provides greater and longer lasting relief.

	Osteo-Bi-Flex™
Osteo-Bi-Flex™	Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose: 1500 mg Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine HCL Quality of Glucosamine: not stated Delivery System: capsule pill Synergistic Ingredients: 1200 mg of Chondroitin Sulfate Price per day: $.50 (varies slightly depending on retail outlet)

Cosamin DS™

*no picture provided

Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose: 1500 mg

Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine HCL

Quality of Glucosamine: claimed "high purity"

Delivery System: pill

Synergistic Ingredients: 1200 mg Chondroitin Sulfate, 15mg Manganese, 198 mg Ascorbate

Price per daily dose: $.55 (varies slightly depending on retail outlet)

The below list of products not recommended has been compiled for your ease.

The below capsule products are not highly recommended since they:

Failed independent testing
Contain a mixture of herbs not known to be safe
Put consumers at risk for lead/mercury contamination
Contain unproved substances

Capsule Products to Avoid:

Glucosamine Plus™
Joint Care™
Pain Free™
Joint Fuel™
Joint Rescue™
Osteo-Joint™
Can-Do™

The Creams

There is growing evidence that glucosamine can be actually absorbed through the skin and evidence to suggest that glucosamine in that form will have an impact on arthritis.

Summary

For more information on Syn-flex, you may visit http://www.activexamerica.com/synflex/

References:

1. Syn-flex product information: http://www.activexamerica.com/
2. Corta-Flex product information: http://www.cortaflex.com
3. Arti-flex product information: http://www.drinkartiflex.com
4. Joint Juice product information: http://www.jointjuice.com
5. Osteo-bi-flex product information: http://www.osteo-bi-flex.com
6. Cosamin DS product information: http://www.cosamin.com
7. Interview with Yoshiaki Saito, M.D: http://www.prescription2000.com/experts/cardiacfunction.htm