The Sugars - N-acetylglucosamine (one of eight essential glyconutrients)

N-AcetylGlucosamine is widely known by its metabolic byproduct called Glucosamine. Recently found effective in the repair of cartilage, the nutrient decreases pain and inflammation with bone joints; while increasing the range and motion in osteoarthritis. Glucosamine also helps mend mucosal lining, the defensive barrier called the Glycosaminoglycan layer (GAG), a condition that can lead to serious complications such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and interstitial cystitis when left unattended.

There is strong evidence that reveals how N-acetylglucosamine, when added to a regular diet, promotes the speedy healing of injuries over bone joints. Failure of the body to effectively metabolize N-acetylglucosamine has been found to have a strong link with diseases of the bowel and bladder for it has been shown that the nutrient helps repair the mucosal lining's defensive barrier called the glycosaminoglycan layer (GAG). Glucosamine is also an immune modulator with known anti-tumor and anti-viral characteristics, as well as a deterrent against the HIV virus. It has also been proven through pertinent animal research that this sugar can prevent the spread of the human influenza virus as well as that of the herpes virus.

What is of paramount importance is the ability of N-acetylglucosamine to reduce progression in experimental cancers. Glyconutrients, glucosamine and mannose added into the drinking water of mice stopped the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumors, in the clinical experiments conducted. The survival rates among animals tested increased while the size and spread of the tumors were significantly decreased. Some studies also discovered reduced levels of N-acetylglucosamine among patients of colon cancer. It is probable that the regular distribution of this sugar may have been genetically altered when cancerous tissues materialized.

The process of documenting the benefits of N-acetylglucosamine to humans would entail a long process. There is evidence that its presence in the brain aids in the functions of the nervous system and enhances the learning process; the thyroid gland Glucosamine receptors help in the transport of thyroglobulin; sugar concentration in retinal tissues suggests that vision correction is possible; glucosamine concentration in the intestines may reduce the absorption of cholesterol (LDL); glucosamine presence in the liver could serve as a regulatory substance in insulin secretion.

There is no known adverse side effect to the intake of N-acetylglucosamine supplement.

If you fit into any of the criteria below you should be supplementing with N-acetylglucosamine daily to halt cartilage degeneration that could lead to arthritis :

• If you are over the age of 40.
• If you are experiencing minor aches and pains in your weight bearing joints such as knees, hips and spine.
• If you currently participate in sporting activities.