Glucosamine?

[sparkyminer]

Since I fractured my lateral femoral condoyle (the knobbly bit on the end of the thigh bone at the knee end) and snapped my anterior cruciate ligament, I've had osteo-arthritis in my right knee, because there's not much cartilage left after the surgical procedures and damage caused by the aforementioned. Day to day use doesn't generally give a problem, the odd ache after lots of walking underground etc but nowt to really worry about. However, after a game of rugby, it's very painful, I've heard that glucosamine (spelling?) and cod liver oil are good for joints, the former promotes cartilage growth and the latter provides lubrication of the joint (supposedly). Any info would be greatly appreciated. :)

[tophatter]

My mate swears by cod liver oil - it cant do no harm I suppose.

[mathare]

When I was waiting for an op on my knee (having some troublesome cartilage shaved off) 10 or so years back I got into tai-chi. My instructor told me cod liver oil and vitamin E would help my situation a lot.

So off I went to buy some of each. Took 1 tablet of cod liver oil, one of vitamin E and was violently sick. My system really did not agree with them, not in the slightest. I haven't touched such supplements since.

I mention this because I have heard cod liver oil is supposed to help by the way, not to put you off at all.

[presto]

it helps build skeletal bone tissue, by increasing the nitrogen and ammino acids needed to build bone etc.... well that's what 'glutamine' does, and i assume it's something similar.

:smk Dr Presto

[presto]

i have a few mates who are 'muscle freaks' - thats how i knew. - though best to google rather than listen to me :)

[sparkyminer]

it helps build skeletal bone tissue, by increasing the nitrogen and ammino acids needed to build bone etc.... well that's what 'glutamine' does, and i assume it's something similar.

:smk Dr Presto
Just had a quick google mate, they're not the same thing. :)

[presto]

Just had a quick google mate, they're not the same thing. :)

and theres me thinking i was being clever :dunce

[Win2Win]

I've been taking Glucosamine, Chronditin & MSM for years, although think I'm beyond help :) Just stopped taking them to see if their is any difference over 6 months, then I'll know if they were doing anything.

Take Omega-3, not cod liver oil, more powerful. 1000mg a day. These are the cheapest for quality stuff http://www.zipvit.com/

[Vic]

I take both Sparky, and MSM - (i get mine from Healthspan by post from Guernsey) I can't say for sure that they are effective, had a dodgy knee from footie and cartlidge ops, and a few other joint probs (not that sort of joint :D ) - My knee is no longer the problem it had been for years, and I feel as though other probs have eased - but that could just be excessive amounts of wine :rolleyes:

[sparkyminer]

Thanks for the replies chaps. Sounds like for a few £'s it's worth trying them out.
Good job we don't have dope testing. :rolleyes: :)

[sparkyminer]

Good job we don't have dope testing. :rolleyes: :)
I'll set 'em up, you knock 'em over. :D

[piggy]

interesting thread, my sons waiting for his 2nd cruciant ligament op, would any of this help post op?

[Win2Win]

He'd need something stronger, see Merlin for sherbert :D

[GlosRFC]

When I had my knee ops, the best post op was told to me by the other guys in the ward...take just one of the distalgesics offered through the day and grit your teeth. At night, sling down all the ones you haven't taken with a can of double diamond!!! It certainly put me out for the night :D

As for cod liver oil, you're right it is a lubricant. Only trouble is it lubricated more of my rear end than anywhere else :yikes:

[Roberto]

By the way, in case it's relevant to anyone here, I've heard that people with diabetes should be a little bit careful with glucosamine, and should at the very least discuss it with their doctor before starting to take it.

[bigcumba]

Good job we don't have dope testing. :rolleyes: :)

We do test for dopes - but Vegy managed to slip through the net....

[vegyjones]

We do test for dopes - but Vegy managed to slip through the net....
Why are you up at 2.00 in the morning???

Don't tell me you are biomedically scientifing at this time...

go to sleep! :D

[plater]

Sparky, see if your GP will prescribe Glucosamine 500mg & Chondroitin 400mg, mine does and it'll save yer 15squid a month :D

[Win2Win]

Sparky, see if your GP will prescribe Glucosamine 500mg & Chondroitin 400mg, mine does and it'll save yer 15squid a month :D
I only pay £12 for 6 months supply, taking 2 a day. http://www.zipvit.com/cgi-bin/vitcart.cgi?cstart#A62

[susanwells]

I started my husband on cod liver oil when he had an arthritic knee and within 4 weeks it was heaps better and he is now pain free. continues 1 tablet a day.. and we give our horses glucosamine when they have strains etc which is often..vets prescribe it all the time. trouble is, horses can`t tell us is if it`s less painful :yikes:
Don`t OD on cod liver oil.. just take the recommended as you can have too much and get poorly over a period of time.. as with all vitamins, too many is not just no use, it can be positively harmful.. but however the fish oils work, they do seem to.. my husband was deeply sceptical so it wasn`t mind over matter either.
He now bows to my superior medical knowledge in all matters since his knee stopped giving him gyp ! :hearty