Glucosamine a New Concern for Diabetes

SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Glucosamine sulfate may increase the risk of developing insulin resistance and may worsen diabetes control in patients with this condition, according to a research study done by IMAGINutrition and MetaResponse Sciences in Aptos, Calif., which funded the study with the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. The research was presented at the annual Experimental Biology scientific meeting here. Glucosamine sulfate is widely used to relieve osteoarthritis pain and other chronic joint conditions.

The preliminary study suggests that taking glucosamine could decrease the metabolic actions of insulin—already a potential concern in obese people or those with diabetic risk factors such as high blood pressure, genetic pre-disposition to diabetes or heart disease. The double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized 12-week study involved 15 patients.

"Our data also suggest that glucosamine sulfate may aggravate blood-sugar control in diabetic patients," says Anthony L. Almada, President and Chief Scientific Officer of IMAGINutrition. Monitors, such as the one pictured here, determine blood-sugar levels.

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