Glucosamine causes death of pancreatic cells, increasing risk of Diabetes

[Holly_Hobby]

Glucosamine causes the death of pancreatic cells

This release is available in French.

Quebec City, October 27, 2010—High doses or prolonged use of glucosamine causes the death of pancreatic cells and could increase the risk of developing diabetes, according to a team of researchers at Université Laval's Faculty of Pharmacy. Details of this discovery were recently published on the website of the Journal of Endocrinology.

In vitro tests conducted by Professor Frédéric Picard and his team revealed that glucosamine exposure causes a significant increase in mortality in insulin-producing pancreatic cells, a phenomenon tied to the development of diabetes. Cell death rate increases with glucosamine dose and exposure time. "In our experiments, we used doses five to ten times higher than that recommended by most manufacturers, or 1,500 mg/day," stressed Professor Picard. "Previous studies showed that a significant proportion of glucosamine users up the dose hoping to increase the effects," he explained.

Picard and his team have shown that glucosamine triggers a mechanism intended to lower very high blood sugar levels. However, this reaction negatively affects SIRT1, a protein critical to cell survival. A high concentration of glucosamine diminishes the level of SIRT1, leading to cell death in the tissues where this protein is abundant, such as the pancreas.

Individuals who use large amounts of glucosamine, those who consume it for long periods, and those with little SIRT1 in their cells are therefore believed to be at greater risk of developing diabetes. In a number of mammal species, SIRT1 level diminishes with age. This phenomenon has not been shown in humans but if it were the case, the elderly—who constitute the target market for glucosamine—would be even more vulnerable.

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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-10/ul-gct102710.php

[Scuba]

1. Uh oh. I've been doing 2,000 mg per day for 15 years.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Just checked my bottle

Each tablet has 1500 mg. Glucosimine, and the label says to take FOUR a day!

Luckily, I am lousy at taking most supplements on a regular basis.
except for Co-Q-10,.... and the mineral combo.

However, I do notice that a LOT of scientific testing reports state they use mega amounts of whatever drug,etc is used.
and this test was done "in vitro"...latin for "in a glass" meaning in a test tube.

Our bodies, like any other part of nature, does not work in a vaccum, many factors come into play with nutrients, food, etc.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Since 1500 mg is a common dosage...

I suspect the correct quote should have been "...we used doses five to ten times higher than the 1,500 mg/day recommended by most manufacturers..."

And, yes, when I was taking that strength, some recommended twice a day, some more.

[doxydad]

3. Never touch the stuff!

n/t

[TexasProgresive]

4. I'd like to see more studies to confirm these results.

I have been taking 1500 MG X daily for years. I have trouble in both knees. My right knee has not bothered by for a couple of years. the left may have something else going on with it besides osteoarthritis. Anyway because of your post I cut my dosage in half. Everything went well until Friday. hmmm 13th, I started the day OK but while working across the floor at work my right knee collapsed, like someone had struck me behind the knee. I nearly fell. This happened twice more and I had a lot of pain in both knees all day. Around 3PM I took some Ibuprofen and it was better.

Needless to say I am back on my regular dosage.