Does Glucosamine repair bones?
595795
Glucosamine is naturally occuring in the body's joints, part of the cartilage lining/buffer in weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip, ankle and spine.  In disease processes such as osteoarthritis (OA), the amount of glucosamine decreases and lessens the shock absorbing quality of the joint lining.  Currently on the supermarket/chemist shelves are a lot of products that claim by taking glucosamine orally (i.e. tablets/drinks) you can help replace the glucosamine in the cartliage lining of the joints and help decrease the pain associated with OA.  Not all forms of glucosamine have been scientifically tested so check before buying.
1118413
Depends on what they're exposed to. Water leeches calcium out of bones and bacteria breaks down the collagen fibers. It would depend on how much water and air or dissolved gasses they'd be exposed to.
846341
Clinical studies of glucosamine have consistently reported that glucosamine appears safe. Since glucosamine is usually derived from shellfish, those allergic to shellfish may wish to avoid it. However, since glucosamine is derived from the shells of these animals while the allergen is within the flesh of the animals, it is probably safe even for those with shellfish allergy (Gray et al. 1994). Alternative sources using fungal fermentation of corn are available. Another concern has been that the extra glucosamine could contribute to diabetes by interfering with the normal regulation of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (Buse, 2006), but several investigations have found no evidence that this occurs (Scroggie et al., 2003). The U.S. National Institutes of Health is currently conducting a study of supplemental glucosamine in obese patients, since this population may be particularly sensitive to any effects of glucosamine on insulin resistance. [4]. Finally, in the United States, glucosamine is sold as a dietary supplement, so safety and formulation is solely the responsibility of the manufacturer.\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucosamine#Safety
1003970
What are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate?\n\nGlucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in the body. Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives cartilage elasticity.\n\nBoth glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are sold as dietary or nutritional supplements. They are extracted from animal tissue: glucosamine from crab, lobster or shrimp shells; and chondroitin sulfate from animal cartilage, such as tracheas or shark cartilage.\n\nWhat do they do?\n\nPast studies show that some people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) taking either glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate reported pain relief at a level similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Some research indicates that the supplements might also slow cartilage damage in people with OA. Definitive results about the effects of these supplements are expected from an in-depth clinical study currently being conducted by the National Institutes of Health.\n\nWhat do I look for?\n\nBecause dietary supplements are unregulated, the quality and content may vary widely. If you decide to take these supplements:\n\nChoose products sold by large, well-established companies that can be held accountable. \nRead the product labels carefully to make sure the ingredient lists make sense to you. If you have trouble, ask your pharmacists for help. \nBe sure to consult your doctor before deciding to try these supplements. \nMake sure that OA is the cause of your pain. \nDo not stop or reduce your current prescribed medications without talking with your doctor. \nRecommended doses should cost about $1 to $3 per day, but most insurance companies do not cover this cost.\n\nHow do I take them?\n\nIf you decide to take these supplements, consult your doctor about the proper dosage. The amount used in studies of glucosamine was 1,500 mg per day and in studies of chondroitin sulfate, 1,200 mg per day was used.\n\nYou can try the supplements along with your current medications for six to eight weeks. If you don't experience any difference in your symptoms within a few months, you probably will not get any relief from using the supplements.\n\nAre there side effects?\n\nThe most common side effects are increased intestinal gas and softened stools. If you experience these problems, you might want to try another supplement brand before you stop using them altogether.\n\nMore studies need to be done to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the supplements. Be sure to contact your doctor if you notice any unusual or new symptoms while you are taking them.\n\nCautions\n\nChildren, women who are pregnant, and women who could become pregnant should not take these supplements. They have not been studied long enough to determine their effects on a child or on a developing fetus. \nBecause glucosamine is an amino sugar, people with diabetes should check their blood sugar levels more frequently when taking this supplement. \nIf you are taking chondroitin sulfate in addition to a blood-thinning medication or daily aspirin therapy, have your blood clotting time checked more often. This supplement is similar in structure to the blood-thinning drug heparin, and the combination may cause bleeding in some people. \nIf you are allergic to shellfish, consult your doctor before deciding to take glucosamine. In most cases, however, allergies are caused by proteins in shellfish, not chitin, a carbohydrate from which glucosamine is extracted.
1095091
no, cos my mom takes evening primrose ad sometimes calcium pills with glucosamine. so i guess its alright, since my moms been taking it for about a year already and shes still alive and kicking. =)
69064
There are several supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (some with MSM or methylsulfonylmethane added) that usually help.  These can be purchased at some pharmacies and health food stores.
421823
I'm not sure where you are from, but here in Canada they have an all natural medicine called "Lakota."  It has been a best-seller for years and years here. I tried Glucosamine but it did nothing for myself, personally.  Within 2 days of going on Lakota "Rheumatoid Formula" I was virtually pain-free, it was unbelievable. I stopped taking it the past few weeks to see if it really was the Lakota that was making a difference, and the pain has returned so I am going back out to purchase some more at the local drugstore.  If you are a non-Canadian resident, I would still ask your local Pharmacist and check out their website.  I know how terrible it is to have an auto-immune disease, especially on a bad flare-up day, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck and best of health.
613270
It depends on what the problem with your knee is, but I have recently started taking glucosamine and have found this really helps my knees. They are much less painful, for example when running or dancing or walking long distances, and they are much quieter - they both used to make a horrible sound that sounded like Velcro being undone and one has stopped altogether and the other is doing it less. Glucosamine apparently builds up cartilage where is has got worn away. I was surprised how quickly I found mine improving after I started taking it. You can get it at supermarkets and health food shops, but I buy mine from an on-line company because it's a lot cheaper.\n\nI know there are also some Yoga exercises to help the knees (because my Yoga teacher mentioned them), but I don't know enough about Yoga to tell you what they are.
756023
You are absolutely right!  A thick band of bone DOES in fact form around a broken bone after a break, and this thickening is called a callus.\n\nAlthough they may appear dry and lifeless, bones are just as alive as the tissue that surrounds them. Inside the hard outer part of a bone is a spongy center filled with blood vessels and special cells that constantly tear down and rebuild the bone from the inside out. Bone cells called OSTEOCLASTS are like a demolition crew, breaking down old bone material.  Meanwhile cells called OSTEOBLASTS are like a construction crew, building up new bone material as the old stuff is demolished. \n\nSo how do these cells help broken bones heal? When a bone breaks, a blood clot forms around the break.  The osteoclasts near the site of the break immediately begin clearing away the "rubble" (any broken shards of bone, uneven edges, etc).  Meanwhile, the osteoblasts create the thickened bone callus to replace the blood clot and hold the broken bone together. At the same time, the osteoblasts also produce new bone material to repair the damage.   After many weeks, when the bone has regained its structural integrity and can support weight, the osteoclasts function again to "chew" the callus away.  \n\nDepending on the bone and the severity of the fracture, after several weeks its hardworking cells can repair a broken bone as good as new.
1116458
Yoga might help, but more than likely she has early signs of arthritis. Taking a dose of glucosamine every day can help her. It takes about 4-6 weeks to start working, as it helps build onto existing cartilage, but it is very worth the results in the end. :) I had arthritis in many of my joints by the time I was 17, when I learned at 22 about glucosamine, I took it right away, less than two months later most of my joint pains were gone, or barely noticeable, and I swear by it to this day. I'm only 28 now, but being on it for six years has changed my lifestyle. :)
460607
Cells called osteocytes deposite collagen and release calcium phosphate which eventually hardens into a mineral called hydroxyapatite. This eventually forms a mineralized connetctive tissue which allows your muscles and other organs to attach themselves.
373775
There is no way to fix a calcaneus bone.\nI take it you mean to remove the excess calcium.
877043
That would be calcium phosphate.  It has a very high compressive strength.
341952
After working unloading trucks for 6 months, my knees hurt so much I couldn't climb the 1 flight of steps to my apartment. My cousin, who works in a nursery and spends all day kneeling and lifting trees and plants, turned me on to glucosamine sulfate.\n\nBuy them at ay drug store. Glucosamine Sulfate. Not the fancier stuff with extra stuff in it. \nTake 2 at night for a week.\nThen take 1 a day for at least a month. \nYou'll feel like a new person.\n\nWhenever you have flare-ups in the future, take 1 a day until the pain stops - usually in a week.\n\nIt helps to rebuild the cartalige in your knees, and your bones are pressing on their natural cushion again, unstead of a flattened, compressed sponge, which creates friction on your bones.
503831
Over the counter nutritional supplements (Glucosamine & Chondroitin sulfate) are vitamin pills for the knee cartilage, and have proven to be effective for some patients. These supplements are important because there are no nutrients for articular cartilage present in our every day diet.\n\nThese two compounds have gained widespread use for the treatment of arthritic conditions. Though initially skeptical of "homeopathic" natural remedies, some people reported excellent symptomatic relief, comparable to any non-steroidal (NSAID) drug. Additionally solid basic science studies and prospective blinded human studies have shown that glucosamine is effective in: \n\nReducing joint pain \nIncreasing lubrication of the joint \nStimulating cartilage matrix repair \nInhibiting enzymes that breakdown cartilage \nPreserving joint space \nAnti-inflammatory actions \n\nThe dosage that appears to be effective is 1500 mg of Glucosamine. The literature suggests that liquid forms are better absorbed than pills. The liquid (Joint Juice) or the pills can be taken once a day. \n\n \nThere is no allergic reaction known to glucosamine. No fish or shellfish products are present in the preparations. \n\nThere is no significant difference between the HCl and sulfate versions of glucosamine. \n\nThere is no over dosage of glucosamine possible that we are aware of.\n\nWide selection available at  www.gnc.com. Top seling product GNC Glucosamine 750 Chondroitin 600  ~ $34.99
730063
Nothing you can do to hasten mending of broken bones. There is a timetable that your body follows and all healing will follow this timetable whether surgery is performed or not. Just be patient.
240747
glucosamine/chodroitine\nvitamin e\nflax seed oil\nheres an excellent website for ya\nhttp://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,783,00.html