In osteoarthritis, this synthesis is defective and supplementation with glucosamine has proven to be useful. The body uses supplemented glucosamine to synthesize the proteoglycans and the water-binding glycosaminoglycans in the cartilage matrix. In addition to providing raw material, the presence of glucosamine seems to stimulate the chondrocytes in their production of these substances. Glucosamine also inhibits certain enzymes which destroy the cartilage, e.g. collagenase and phospholipase. By blocking pathogenic mechanisms that lead to articular degeneration, glucosamine delays the progression of the disease and relieves symptoms even for weeks after termination of the treatment.
Many studies confirm the efficacy of glucosamine .
One study showed that glucosamine relieved the symptoms as effectively as ibuprofen, and was significantly better tolerated than ibuprofen. The safety of glucosamine can easily be explained by the fact that it is a substance normally used by the body. Once achieved, it tends to persist for a notable time even after discontinuation of the treatment. Chondroitin sulfate is a major component of cartilage. Like glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate attracts water into the cartilage matrix and stimulates the production of cartilage.