This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

Overview

N-acetyl glucosamine is a chemical that comes from the outer shells of shellfish. It can also be made in labs.

Don't confuse N-acetyl glucosamine with other forms of glucosamine, such as glucosamine hydrochloride or glucosamine sulfate. They may not have the same effects.

Read glucosamine product labels carefully for their content. Most glucosamine products contain glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride. Although glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride are marketed together in combination products with N-acetyl glucosamine, there haven't been any human studies that have evaluated these combinations for treating osteoarthritis.

You may also see chitosan as an ingredient in some glucosamine products. Chitosan is a form of N-acetyl glucosamine that has been chemically altered.

N-acetyl glucosamine is used for osteoarthritis, aging skin, knee pain, and inflammatory bowel condition (IBD), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Classification

Is a Form Of:

Chemical

Primary Functions:

Osteoarthritis, aging skin, knee pain

Also Known As:

GlcNAc, Glucosamine, Glucosamine-6-phosphate, Glucosamine N-Acetyl

How Does It Work?

N-acetyl glucosamine might help protect the lining of the stomach and intestines.

Uses

• Aging skin. Early research shows that applying a cream containing 2% N-acetyl glucosamine and 4% niacinamide to the face decreases dark spots caused by aging and sun exposure. It's unclear if applying a cream containing only N-acetyl glucosamine would have the same effect.
• Heart condition. People who take glucosamine might have a lower risk of developing heart condition. But it's unclear what dose or form of glucosamine might work best. Other forms of glucosamine include glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate. It's also unclear if this lower risk is from glucosamine or from following healthier lifestyle habits.
• Long-term swelling (physical strain) in the digestive tract (inflammatory bowel condition or IBD). There is some early evidence that N-acetyl glucosamine taken by mouth or rectally might decrease concerns of IBD in children with Crohn's condition or ulcerative colitis.
• Knee pain. Early research shows that taking N-acetyl glucosamine along with chondroitin sulfate does not relieve pain in middle-aged and older adults with long-term knee pain.
• Stroke. People who take glucosamine might have a slightly lower risk of having a stroke. But it's unclear what dose or form of glucosamine might work best. Other forms of glucosamine include glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate. It's also unclear if this lower risk is from glucosamine or from following healthier lifestyle habits.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Other conditions.

Recommended Dosing

The appropriate dose of N-acetyl glucosamine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for N-acetyl glucosamine. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NAG) Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is N acetyl glucosamine used for?

N-acetyl glucosamine is used for osteoarthritis, aging skin, knee pain, and inflammatory bowel condition (IBD), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

What is nag supplement used for?

You may also see chitosan as an ingredient in some glucosamine products. Chitosan is a form of N-acetyl glucosamine that has been chemically altered. N-acetyl glucosamine is taken for osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel condition (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's condition.

What should you not take with glucosamine?

There are reports that glucosamine may also reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs. So use caution when taking glucosamine if you take: acetaminophen (Tylenol) Certain chemoroutine drugs, including doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), etoposide (Etopiside), and teniposide (Vumon)

Where is N acetylglucosamine found?

Abstract. The amino sugar N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is well known for the important structural roles that it plays at the cell surface. It is a key component of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan, fungal cell wall chitin, and the extracellular matrix of animal cells.

Is it OK to take NAC everyday?

There is no recommended daily allowance for NAC, because unlike vitamins, it's not an essential nutrient. The dosage used to prevent radio contrast dye damage is 600 mg to 1200 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours.

Can glucosamine cause liver damage?

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Linked to Liver Problems

The use of products containing glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate has been linked to changes in liver function in people with chronic liver condition, a study reports. Glucosamine is a compound that is naturally made in humans.

Is N acetyl glucosamine the same as glucosamine?

N-acetyl glucosamine is a chemical that comes from the outer shells of shellfish. Don't confuse N-acetyl glucosamine with other forms of glucosamine, such as glucosamine hydrochloride or glucosamine sulfate. They may not have the same effects. Read glucosamine product labels carefully for their content.

Is turmeric better than glucosamine?

As Dr Sarah Brewer says, 'Turmeric is a powerful joint comfort. The turmeric helps your body to maintain a normal healthy inflammatory response, and the glucosamine has mild pain-relieving effects and cartilage-protective qualities.

What time of day should I take glucosamine?

In most studies on treating osteoarthritis, the typical dose was 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate, three times a day. Ask your doctor what he recommends for you. Some experts suggest you take it with meals to prevent an upset stomach.

s N acetylglucosamine a monosaccharide?

N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), 2-acetamino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucose or 2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-d-glucose, is a monosaccharide derivative of glucose and is widely distributed worldwide. The molecular formula of this amino monosaccharide is C₈H₁₅NO₆, and its molecular weight is 221.21.

Can glucosamine and turmeric be taken together?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between Glucosamine & Chondroitin with MSM and turmeric. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.

Does glucosamine make you gain weight?

It turns out that most of the research had been done with glucosamine sulfate, the type of glucosamine I was taking. It turns out that glucosamine can cause weight gain or weight loss depending on your eating habits. In a high carb/low fat diet, it has the potential to cause weight gain.

Can glucosamine cause hair loss?

Common side effects may include: nausea, diarrhea, constipation; stomach pain, gas, bloating; hair loss.

Can you take too much glucosamine?

Glucosamine has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated. Common side effects are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. There is a risk for severe and life-threatening allergic reactions to glucosamine in people with shellfish allergy or those with asthma.

What are the side effects of taking glucosamine?

Glucosamine sulfate can cause some mild side effects including nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation. Uncommon side effects are drowsiness, skin reactions, and headache. When given as a shot: Glucosamine sulfate is POSSIBLY SAFE when injected into the muscle as a shot twice weekly for up to 6 weeks.

Can glucosamine raise your cardiovascular health?

High cardiovascular health: Early research suggests that glucosamine sulfate can increase insulin levels. This might cause cardiovascular health to increase. However, more reliable research suggests that glucosamine sulfate does not increase cardiovascular health.

Can glucosamine be bad for you?

Glucosamine may affect blood sugar and insulin levels. Animal studies show that glucosamine may further increase LDL "bad" lipid balance levels if you eat a lot of fatty foods. More research is needed. Glucosamine may interfere with some medicines.

What is Nag in biology?

Peptidoglycan or murein is a polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer outside the plasma membrane of most bacteria, forming the cell wall. The sugar component consists of alternating residues of β-(1,4) linked N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM).

Which is better for joints glucosamine or collagen?

A patented collagen ingredient may be twice as effective as glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, according to results of randomized, double-blind study. The ingredient is often used in combination with chondroitin sulphate, extracted from animal cartilage, such as sharks.

Clinical Studies

• ^ a b Wilkens P, et al. No effect of 6-month intake of glucosamine sulfate on Modic changes or high intensity zones in the lumbar spine: sub-group analysis of a randomized controlled trial. J Negat Results Biomed. (2012)
• ^ a b c Min ZH, Zhou Y, Zhang HM. Effect of nutritional support based on syndrome differentiation by Chinese medicine on post-traumatic elbow arthritis. Chin J Integr Med. (2010)
• ^ a b c Nguyen P, et al. A randomized double-blind clinical trial of the effect of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride on temporomandibular joint imbalances: a pilot study. Cranio. (2001)
• ^ a b c d e Reichelt A, et al. Efficacy and safety of intramuscular glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis of the knee. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Arzneimittelforschung. (1994)
• ^ a b c d Vajaradul Y. Double-blind clinical evaluation of intra-articular glucosamine in outpatients with gonarthrosis. Clin Ther. (1981)
• ^ a b c d D'Ambrosio E, et al. Glucosamine sulphate: a controlled clinical investigation in arthrosis. Pharmatherapeutica. (1981)
• ^ a b c Dahmer S, Schiller RM. Glucosamine. Am Fam Physician. (2008)
• ^ a b c d e f Aghazadeh-Habashi A, Jamali F. The glucosamine controversy; a pharmacokinetic issue. J Pharm Pharm Sci. (2011)
• ^ Lapane KL, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with radiographic-confirmed knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. (2012)
• ^ PATTERNS OF MEDICATION USE IN THE UNITED STATES 2006.
• ^ Active ingredient consistency of commercially available glucosamine sulfate products.
• ^ a b Sawitzke AD, et al. The effect of glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate on the progression of knee osteoarthritis: a report from the glucosamine/chondroitin arthritis intervention trial. Arthritis Rheum. (2008)
• ^ Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and the Two in Combination for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis.
• ^ a b c d Sawitzke AD, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to support osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Ann Rheum Dis. (2010)
• ^ a b Rozendaal RM, et al. Effect of glucosamine sulfate on hip osteoarthritis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. (2008)
• ^ a b Meulyzer M, et al. Comparison of pharmacokinetics of glucosamine and synovial fluid levels following administration of glucosamine sulphate or glucosamine hydrochloride. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. (2008)
• ^ a b c d e f g h i Clegg DO, et al. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. (2006)
• ^ a b c d e f Vlad SC, et al. Glucosamine for pain in osteoarthritis: why do trial results differ. Arthritis Rheum. (2007)
• ^ a b c d Henrotin Y, Mobasheri A, Marty M. Is there any scientific evidence for the use of glucosamine in the management of human osteoarthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. (2012)
• ^ a b c Zhang W, et al. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, part I: critical appraisal of existing nutritional support guidelines and systematic review of current research evidence. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. (2007)
• ^ a b c Zhang W, et al. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, Part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus guidelines. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. (2008)
• ^ a b c Zhang W, et al. EULAR evidence based recommendations for the management of hip osteoarthritis: report of a task force of the EULAR Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutics (ESCISIT). Ann Rheum Dis. (2005)
• ^ a b c d Jordan KM, et al. EULAR Recommendations 2003: an evidence based approach to the management of knee osteoarthritis: Report of a Task Force of the Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including wellbeing Trials (ESCISIT). Ann Rheum Dis. (2003)
• ^ a b c [No authors listed. Recommendations for the medical management of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: 2000 update. American College of Rheumatology Subcommittee on Osteoarthritis Guidelines. Arthritis Rheum. (2000)
• ^ a b Setnikar I, et al. Pharmacokinetics of glucosamine in man. Arzneimittelforschung. (1993)
• ^ Kirkham SG, Samarasinghe RK. Review article: Glucosamine. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). (2009)
• ^ Single dose pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of glucosamine in the rat.
• ^ a b c Setnikar I, Rovati LC. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of glucosamine sulfate. A review. Arzneimittelforschung. (2001)
• ^ Glucosamine for osteoarthritis of the knee.
• ^ a b c d e f g Reginster JY, et al. Long-term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet. (2001)
• ^ Improved Sensitive High Performance Liquid Chromatography Assay for Glucosamine in Human and Rat Biological Samples with Fluorescence Detection.
• ^ a b Burdett N, McNeil JD. Difficulties with assessing the benefit of glucosamine sulphate as a nutritional support for osteoarthritis. Int J Evid Based Healthc. (2012)
• ^ Cordoba F, Nimni ME. Chondroitin sulfate and other sulfate containing chondroprotective agents may exhibit their effects by overcoming a deficiency of sulfur amino acids. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. (2003)
• ^ a b c d e f g h Herrero-Beaumont G, et al. Glucosamine sulfate in the nutritional support of knee osteoarthritis concerns: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator. Arthritis Rheum. (2007)
• ^ A method of preparing a therapeutically active crystalline form of glucosamine sulphate.
• ^ a b Persiani S, et al. Glucosamine oral bioavailability and plasma pharmacokinetics after increasing doses of crystalline glucosamine sulfate in man. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. (2005)
• ^ Akarasereenont P, et al. Bioequivalence study of 500 mg glucosamine sulfate in Thai healthy volunteers. J Med Assoc Thai. (2009)
• ^ a b c Reginster JY. The efficacy of glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis: financial and nonfinancial conflict of interest. Arthritis Rheum. (2007)
• ^ Altman RD, et al. Commentary: osteoarthritis of the knee and glucosamine. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. (2006)
• ^ a b c d e f g h i Towheed TE, et al. Glucosamine routine for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (2005)
• ^ a b c d e f Pujalte JM, Llavore EP, Ylescupidez FR. Double-blind clinical evaluation of oral glucosamine sulphate in the basic nutritional support of osteoarthrosis. Curr Med Res Opin. (1980)
• ^ a b c Drovanti A, Bignamini AA, Rovati AL. wellbeing activity of oral glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthrosis: a placebo-controlled double-blind investigation. Clin Ther. (1980)
• ^ a b Crolle G, D'Este E. Glucosamine sulphate for the management of arthrosis: a controlled clinical investigation. Curr Med Res Opin. (1980)
• ^ a b c d e f g Pavelká K, et al. Glucosamine sulfate use and delay of progression of knee osteoarthritis: a 3-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Arch Intern Med. (2002)
• ^ a b c d e f g Noack W, et al. Glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. (1994)
• ^ a b c d e