Question: Why Viaflex (glucosamine sulfate) should not be used in
patients with diabetes, but Flexsa (glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride) can
be used in patients with diabetes. What is the difference of these two salts
that affect the secretion of insulin in people with diabetes.
Answer: Glucosamine is the component in the structure of
cartilage. Glucosamine is used to build glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans.
Action of glucosamine is cartilage building and it is believed to reduce the
symptoms of osteoarthritis.
It
is reported that glucosamine may affect blood sugar levels. The mechanism does
not involve the secretion of insulin, but glucosamine can interfere the
functioning of the cells of the tissue which is the position of action of insulin.
And cause insulin resistance and associated with the development of diabetes, or
poorly controlled blood sugar level.
Clinical
studies on the effect of glucosamine in patients with diabetes remain unclear
and controversial. Thus, currently there are no definite conclusions about the
effect of glucosamine on blood sugar level or insulin resistance. However, the
current recommendation does not prohibit the use of glucosamine in patients
with diabetes, it is
recommended to monitor blood sugar level more often in patients received
glucosamine. The different forms of salt of glucosamine do not affect blood
sugar level.
The
reason for both brands to warn aware or carefully use in patients with diabetes
are not equal, perhaps because there is no clear conclusion of glucosamine for
diabetes. So if patients received glucosamine whether of any brand, should
continuous monitor blood sugar level.
References:
1.
Simon RR, Marks V, Leeds AR ,
Anderson
2.
MICROMEDEX 2.0® [Database on the internet]: Truven health analytics; 2013. mobileMicromedex®,
Glucosamine; Available from: http://www.micromedexsolutions.com
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