Glucosamine Plus Extra Strength

Glucosamine Plus Extra Strength capsules contain a synergistic combination of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. Glucosamine sulfate is a well-absorbed source of glucosamine, an important precursor for the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissues. Chondroitin sulfate also supports formation of connective tissues, primarily joint cartilage, and helps protect existing cartilage. The potassium stabilized form of glucosamine sulfate is used, making these sodium-free products.

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring amino sugar found ubiquitously in glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans. Glycosaminoglycans, are an integral component of all connective tissues. Connective tissue, a fibrous type of body tissue, has various functions. It supports and connects internal organs (ligaments), forms bone, cartilage, and the walls of blood vessels, attaches muscles to bones (tendons), and replaces tissues that have been damaged following injury.

Chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan formed in the body, is also used for the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissue, primarily within the cartilage matrix. In addition, chondroitin sulfate protects existing cartilage by reducing water loss from the matrix and by inhibiting the enzymatic breakdown of the cartilage. The overlapping activities as well as functional differences of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate offer several advantages for combined supplementation. Although glucosamine is a precursor for chondroitin synthesis, this process requires large amounts of metabolic energy. Dietary preformed chondroitin sulfate spares the use of glucosamine for this purpose. Instead glucosamine can be used for formation of other important glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. When adequate chondroitin sulfate is thus available to help protect tissues from premature breakdown, glucosamine can more readily stimulate synthesis of healthy new tissue. Glucosamine is almost universally found in small amounts in most foods.