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Glucosamine Side Effects in Dogs

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Just like people, older dogs often develop arthritis, especially in the hip joints. One of the remedies which is often put forward by the health food industry is Glucosamine, usually in combination with Chondroitin Sulfate. These supplements have been around for at least ten years and people generally take it as a given that they do, in fact, assist in overcoming the effects of arthritis. But do they? If they do, are there any glucosamine side effects that you need to be aware of? Believe it or not, there is actually no proof that Glucosamine supplements help arthritis. There are some indications, but these chemicals are a long way from being a silver bullet for arthritis. Some studies have been done on humans, and presumably they can be extended to dogs as well. The bottom line question we all want an answer to is, does glucosamine actually benefit arthritis? So far, the answers are unclear. One interesting finding is that people who were experiencing mild pain due to arthritis didn't seem to benefit from glucosamine, but more severe cases did improve. How much? About 20%. That means that those in pain still had pain, but one in five reported that the pain was less after taking glucosamine. The good news about all this is there are really no glucosamine side effects to be wary of. It seems to be a very benign substance. Here is a list of the side effects and things to watch for with its use: If you are allergic to shellfish you should consult your physician before using glucosamine products. Glucosamine is derived from shellfish. If you are pregnant or lactating you should consult your physician before beginning to take glucosamine. Glucosamine sulfate may increase the risk of developing insulin resistance and could decrease the metabolic actions of insulin. Although glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are biochemically classed as carbohydrates (sugars), the body is not able to break them down into glucose, so these compounds do not raise blood sugar by providing an additional source of glucose. However, many factors can affect insulin secretion and blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, and we recommend that individuals with diabetes check their blood glucose levels frequently when initiating glucosamine into their regimen. High dosages of glucosamine may cause gastric problems, nausea , diarrhea, indigestion, and heartburn. Glucosamine should be taken with meals to help avoid these problems. Final verdict is that glucosamine won't make your dog's arthritis vanish, but it won't hurt him either, especially at the levels that are added to dog foods. Related posts:Lymes Disease in Dogs Symptoms – Beware Unnecessary Vet Charges Good veterinarian medicine is an important part of keeping your... How can I prevent my West Highland Terrier getting skin problems? I have a 4 month old Westie puppy, but have... Tick and Flea Treatment For Dogs Fleas and ticks are the two most common pests... Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.