Newmarket Joint Supplement

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring monosaccharide which is synthesised in the body from glucose and glutamine. It is the building block used to form macromolecules such as glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycoaminoglycans. These long chain molecules are found in mucus, synovial fluid, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels and heart valves. It is thought that the bodies ability to synthesise glucosamine is a rate limiting step in cartilage synthesis. Glucosamine also forms a component of biologically active compounds such as heparin and has been found to have anti-oxidant and immune modulating activity.
It is principally derived from the exoskeleton of shrimps, lobsters and crabs and is available as the hydrochloride, sulphate and N-acetyl salts. These salts are hydrolysed from glucosamine in the acid environment of the stomach allowing ionised glucosamine to be absorbed.

Bioavailability and efficacy: There has been a plethora of research and clinical commentary on these subjects. Recent research found oral Glucosamine Hydrochloride to be bioavailable, demonstrated that with long term supplementation significant levels build up in the equine joint and that it is chondroprotective [1].

Less is more! The addition of Chondroitin Sulphate to Glucosamine has been shown conclusively to decrease the bioavailability of Glucosamine in man [2]. This is logical as chondroitin sulphate has historically been used to carry orally administered drugs to the large intestine. The limited evidence available shows this may also be true in the horse [3, 4].

1. Leatherwood et al (2016) J.Anim.Sci 94 3294 – 3302
2. Clegg et al (2006) N.Engl.J.Med. 354 795 – 808
3. Du et al (2004) Biopharm. Drug Dispos. 25 109 – 116
4. Welch et al (2012) J.equine vet. Sci. 32 60 – 64