My knee joint is quite painful
Xrays show arthritis in the areas around my knee cap. Is there any thing I can use to help improve my joints. I've heard of glucosamine but have also been told that its made of sharks fins and don't like the idea of this.
Firstly a differential diagnosis is required to determine the exact type of Arthritis. Glucosamine is commonly used to treat Osteo-arthritis (the most common form of arthritis characterized by loss of cartilage). Another form of Arthritis is Rheumatoid arthritis (a blood based condition related to autoimmune diseases) and Glucosamine is of no assistance to this condition. Under no circumstances is this advice intended to provide diagnosis or to replace a private consultation with a health practitioner, but as a general guideline, Osteoarthritis is generally experienced as a cold sensation, whereas heat sensations are usually experienced with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Supplements which contain Glucosamine are not made from Shark fin, but from the connective tissue of the inverterbrae from crustacians, such as prawns, crabs and oysters. It is the Glucosamine component which may help to rebuild the cartilage of the joints (the soft padding between the joints). Glucosamine provides the joints with proteoglycans to help rebuild new cartilage (chondroblasts) and to reduce the amount of destruction of the cartilage (Chondroclasts).
Another substance often used in conjunction with Glucosamine to treat Osteoarthritis is called Chondroitin. This supplement is often sourced from Shark fin cartilage. However if you decide to take either of these supplements, I would suggest speaking directly to the product's manufacturers to inquire where they source their ingredients from.