The Glucosamine Market Today

The Glucosamine market is robust and growing stronger due to the aging population and, thus, the rise of joint related ailments as this group becomes more active with a focus on healthier lifestyles. New scientific studies are plentiful covering the benefits of glucosamine supplementation, the top choice in the treatment of osteoarthritis to maintain healthy cartilage in joints and ease pain. The level at which our bodies naturally produce this substance decreases with age and results in joint deterioration.

Today there are more mega companies producing glucosamine, but only one U.S. Company manufactures a US-sourced vegetarian, shellfish-free & kosher ingredient. NutraSense manufactures its Glucosamine-Extra Strength™ with this Regenasure® brand of glucosamine from Cargill, and we have for 20 years!

Market analysists predict that shellfish-free glucosamine sales will dramatically increase as consumers become more aware of its benefits and also more health conscious about what they consume. Regenasure is GRAS status and FDA approved for food, beverages, and supplements. In my opinion, taking this in capsule form is best since its formulation is unaffected by the heat and pressure associated with tableting and food manufacturing.

Taking a pure, quality glucosamine supplement twice a day, either alone or in combination with chondroitin, is a smart choice for those of us with sore knees and joints who want to maintain joint integrity!

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Digestive Enzyme Supplements Can Help Combat Digestive Distress

nutra-blog-happyMore people than ever are experiencing stomach and digestive upset. For many, it’s becoming the norm. Sixty to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic constipation, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophogeal reflux, GI infections, and pancreatitis, not to mention general indigestion and food intolerances. The most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, accounting for 10 to 15 percent of digestive issues and 12 percent of visits to primary care physicians, is IBS. Many people don’t realize that digestive problems can cause health issues and symptoms beyond the digesting system, including headaches, upper back pain, mid-back pain, sinus issues, gall bladder symptoms, appendicitis-like symptoms, stabbing low back pain, front thigh pain, and knee pain. Continue reading

Quality Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements Shown to Be Beneficial for Joint Pain

healthy-couple

Swimsuit season will be here before we know it. As many of us are working harder to get into shape, it can really take a toll on our joints. Joint health products can be beneficial in easing joint pain and inflammation. Glucosamine and chondroitin combinations are the most popular due to their effectiveness. Glucosamine and chondroitin formulations have been around for a long time and have been studied more than most other supplements, but because some manufacturers have been cheapening the formulation, its reputation has been tarnished.

Glucosamine and chondroitin formulations continue to be the most popular and widely studied supplements for joint health, even with the introduction of other new products aimed at alleviating joint pain and inflammation. The National Institutes of Health conducted the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), a large scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, to examine the efficacy claims of joint health supplements using the standard combination of 1500 mg of glucosamine and 1200 mg of chondroitin. The study, the largest of its kind, showed positive results for this combination of glucosamine and chondroitin in providing relief of moderate to severe knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine Plus Chondroitin from NutraSense carries the same formulation used in the study.

Due to the popularity of chondroitin products, demand for the raw materials has increased while supply has not. This has driven up the price. In response, some companies are substituting with sub-par ingredients, lowering the bar, or even worse, not claiming the label amount. Other companies are choosing to continue with the standard formulation and accepting smaller sales margins. NutraSense carries the same Chondropure chrondroitin sulfate used in the NIH study and stands behind the claim of the highest quality on the market.

In a recent blog for Natural Products Insider, author Weiguo Zhang said “It is my view that the industry should provide consumers with high-quality products based upon the classical joint health formulation of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate with proven efficacy supported by the GAIT study. Worthy endeavors to look for alternative ingredients should be encouraged, but not at the expense of undermining consumer confidence in effectiveness of the widely used joint health supplements with chondroitin.”

Glucosamine Plus Chondroitin from NutraSense is the only glucosamine and chondroitin supplement of this high quality that is also made and sourced in the USA.

American Made Nutritional Supplements

In a time when most nutritional supplements are imported from China, and in the midsts of questionable raw materials tainting this industry and others…. why take a chance? Don’t compromise your health with the unknown.

Do YOU know where your supplements come from? Most people do not, although the buzz is out and consumers are taking notice of where the products they buy are coming from.Newspapers and radio shows everywhere have been broadcasting stories, particularly over the past couple of years, about common products we all use which are tainted with toxic chemicals. Products like pet foods, animal feed, produce, toys, plastics, and yes… supplements. Most all the products that were recalled had something in common – they came from Asia. Perhaps they were made with materials which are imported and contained a toxic chemical called melamine. Both melamine and lead have been blamed in more than several deaths and illnesses here in the US. Continue reading