Glucosamine For Joint & Digestive Health

Glucosamine is a compound best known for relieving joint pain, but did you know it also plays a role in your digestive health?

I’ll tell you how this is possible, but first, let’s get to know some glucosamine basics.

Glucosamine helps to make connective tissue (like cartilage) that cushions the tips of your bones. It also provides lubrication for your joints, which helps to protect and strengthen them. You can thank glucosamine for your ability to move and absorb shock without pain.

By promoting a healthy digestive tract lining, glucosamine improves digestion and helps to heal intestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and leaky gut. But wait, there’s more – glucosamine acts as an anti-inflammatory that helps with auto-immune reactions and the healing of broken bones. 

Unfortunately, your body only makes glucosamine in small amounts, and as you age it makes even less. No wonder it’s a popular supplement!

Bone broth is one of the richest sources of glucosamine and other glycosaminoglycans, or GAG for short.

This tongue twisting term refers to the complex molecules that are vital to joint and digestive health. GAGs like glucosamine create mucous that heal intestinal inflammation while boosting the good bacteria in your gut.

If you’re looking for a glucosamine supplement, you should know that there are two different forms.

The kind of glucosamine you need depends upon your health goals. Be sure to look for the appropriate form on any supplement claiming to help with joint or digestive health.

1) Glucosamine sulfate

• supports joint health
• makes connective tissue
• provides lubrication
• eases pain and inflammation 

2) N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG)

• heals intestinal lining
• increases good bacteria
• decreases bad bacteria
• effective treatment for digestive disorders/leaky gut

You’ll find NAG (the form that helps digestion) in BodyManual’s supplement, Leaky Gut Support. This formula provides specific nutrition to support those with leaky gut syndrome, a condition where the gut lining is damaged and toxins are able to pass into the bloodstream.

Most people could benefit from getting more glucosamine, especially if you’re older or have a poor diet.

Your body may be calling for more if you:

1. experience joint pain
2. have digestive issues
3. participate in high impact activities
4. are over the age of 40

Remember the BEST source for glucosamine is bone broth. You can make your own or find it at health food stores, either way, drinking this weekly can make a huge difference in your health. Improving your gut health is your ticket to better overall health.

Adults can also supplement up to 1500 mg per day of either form of glucosamine.

Tip: Enhance your joint health by combining glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate, another cartilage building compound. Look for these two compounds from a trusted brand. It’s also a good idea to combine glucosamine with other natural anti-inflammatories like vitamin B3 (niacin). Chicken, liver, turkey and salmon are healthy B3 sources.

Reducing chronic inflammation is one of the best things you can do for your health. If you’d like to see more on this topic, join me here as I talk about anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis.