Glycosaminoglycans - Glucosamine, Chondroitin & Hyaluronic Acid
We first heard about glucosamines around ten or twelve years ago when searching for something to
improve our horse's troublesome joint health. Next, we noticed it in
dog joint health products which were quickly gaining in popularity at the time. Now, it's
also a common ingredient in joint health products for people too.
There actually several similar ingredients, a group called
glycosaminoglycans,
that are needed together for optimal joint health.
Glycos
amino
glycans are often
mentioned by their acronym for short,
GAGs.
Crucial GAGs include chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid, all of which
help provide cartilage with basic structural materials it needs to regenerate and exist.
Glucosamine is responsible for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and
glycosaminoglycans within the joint.
Hyaluronic acid is an important component of the synovial fluid surrounding the joint.
Glucosamine, as a supplement comes in many forms,
including glucosamine hydrochlorideglucosamine (glucosamine hcl for short),
glucosamine sulfate and n-acetyl glucosamine. N-acetyl glucosamine
also helps supports proper functioning of the digestive tract lining.
Chondroitin, one of the major gylcosaminoglycans, helps inhibit
the degradative enzymes that promote the breakdown of cartilage.
Glucosamine plus chondroitin work better together than either ingredient alone.
In the cartilage surrounding joints, GAG molecules are interspersed among the collagen fibers,
acting like a sponge to attract water molecules to lubricate the joint capsules.
The process of movement and activity alone creates a need for the joint to constantly replenish
the components that give it structure and function.
If the glycosaminoglycans building blocks are not available to the joints in adequate levels, the process will breakdown,
and eventually lead to degenerative joint disease.
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Although exercise and activity are great for an animal's heart and overall health, years of activity
can actually have an adverse effect on joints, creating wear and tear on the joint's cartilage.
Aging alone can also cause GAGs to diminish in quantity, leaving the cartilage tissue dried out
and vulnerable to breakdown in even the most fit and previously active of animals.
It is believed that giving your dog or other animal a glucosamine supplement will help it's
body replenish, restore and actually rebuild its own cartilage, in other words, that
joint tissue can regenerate with the help of the right nutritional building blocks.
Sources of glucosamine in animal joint supplements
often include bovine trachea, shark cartilage, sea cucumber, perna mussel and shrimp.
Some Joint Supplements w/ All 3 Glycosaminoglycans:
Jointagen III
OsteoCare
Conquer K9
