Today I want to talk about a supplement that I actually used when I was injured, and still do. I had a minor, but very annoying, wrist injury. The cartilage was damaged and I got told by my physio that I just needed to rest, strap it up, and he recommended a glucosamine supplement. I cannot remember the dose level, but I took 4 pills every day. Obviously I don't know how much longer it would have taken to heal if I didn't use it, but I do believe it helped a lot.
So, what is glucosamine?
Glucosamine is a natural substance that is found in our joints, specifically the fluid area. The most common form of glucosamine is 'glucosamine sulfate' (it has had the most studies performed on it). It plays a vital role in building and repairing cartilage, and is very common among people with arthritis and osteoarthritis.
How can this benefit you?
Think about it, whether you are training for fat loss, muscle building or sporting performance, you are pushing your body hard. When you lift weights, you use a lot of joints, and while you are lifting for muscle growth, you can also, very easily, put a lot of strain on your joints. I know first hand just how frustrating it is to have an injury that you can't physically see or feel (mine was minor, no visible signs, and only hurt under pressure). Joint injuries are very annoying, because whatever you are training for, you don't really am to 'build up your joints'. You are either training for fat loss, muscle gain, or to increase your sporting performance. Form is paramount, but if you are using your joints a lot, I would recommend a glucosamine supplement to help with the durability of your joints, and if you pick up a little 'niggle' of an injury, your body will have a steady flow of glucosamine ready to start the healing process.
This supplement helped me out when I was injured, and it makes perfect sense - your joints go through a lot, and glucosamine helps to build and repair cartilage. Obviously in severe cases, a few pills aren't going to do the trick, you will most likely require surgery or other intensive treatment, but they can help for day to day use in the fitness world. As mentioned at the start, if you suffer from arthritis or similar forms, you may well be taking this already, but if not, have a chat with your GP and see if you could benefit from it.
Have a great end to the weekend!
Lee Gregory Fitness
