Did you realize that there may be a link between using glucosamine and high blood pressure issues?
Glucosamine is a natural substance found in the human body, it is an amino acid found in connective tissue and cartilage of the body. For many people it is also their number one supplement, especially those who suffer from osteoarthritis. In fact, glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate can greatly reduce severe joint and muscle pain. Recent studies however are beginning to link glucosamine to high blood pressure, which is not good news.
Types of Glucosamine
There are two types of this supplement, glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate. Either of these is fine to use for a normally healthy individual, however if you are suffering from high blood pressure or on a low sodium diet you will need to avoid the sulfate version of glucosamine. Sodium, that is salt, is used to stabilize glucosamine sulfate, which is bad news for those already suffering or at risk for high blood pressure.
Risky
Even if you do not have high blood pressure, you may want to avoid glucosamine sulfate if you have other risk factors that make you vulnerable to the condition. If you have any of the following risk factors, you need to be careful with your sodium intake, which means avoiding glucosamine sulfates.
• Overweight
• Over 55
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Tobacco use
• Family history
• Ethnicity- particularly African American
Other medical conditions and medications can also play a role in whether you need to watch your sodium intake. You should talk to your doctor about the risks of taking glucosamine sulfate if you have Cushing's disease, kidney problems, take other prescription medications and or use illicit drugs. While this latter may not be a comfortable conversation, it is important for your health.
Intravenous Glucosamine
The arthritis foundation has done extensive research on the effects of intravenous glucosamine and what they found is startling. This form of glucosamine can lead to abnormal blood vessel function and insulin resistance. Both of these can and do lead to chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure. It is important to note that these studies focused on intravenous glucosamine and not oral supplements.
High Blood Pressure Risk?
If you have or are at risk for high blood pressure, you may want to carefully re-consider using glucosamine sulfate supplements. You may already be using this type of glucosamine and are having success with it, and are resistant to changing. Then take this next step. Increase your water intake to a gallon a day and let the water fulfil one of its functions by flushing your system. The flushing action of this extra water will remove excess salt from your body and take the stress off your kidneys. This amount of water will help your joint pain problems, too.
Conclusion
If you continue to see high blood pressure from the glucosamine you are using, then by all means consider making a change in your glucosamine supplement.
Barry Way shares more information about the glucosamine blood pressure connection and more natural ways to achieve joint muscle relief on his site at joint-muscle-relief.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Way
