Glucosamine vs Turmeric: Which Should You Take for Joint Health?

Come here to find out which is better between Glucosamine vs Turmeric? We got your back, just read on…

Glucosamine is often part of joint health supplements and can be naturally found in the chitin of crustaceans, while turmeric is a spice that comes from a plant. It’s argued that Turmeric has been more researched than glucosamine and has been proven to be more beneficial.

However, is this actually the case?

We’ll take you through the whole Glucosamine vs Turmeric debate and show you which one you should be choosing to help protect your joints.

Why Turmeric and Glucosamine?

Turmeric, a superfood spice rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory curcuminoids, and Glucosamine, an amino sugar naturally abundant in joint tissues, are two of the most popular joint support supplements.

But, if you had to pick between the two, would you select glucosamine or turmeric for joint health?

More significantly, do you have to choose between the two options?

No, you can get all of the joint-health advantages of glucosamine and turmeric—and then some—without any problems.

Nonetheless, it’s critical to identify the two in order to:

• Learn how glucosamine and turmeric affect joint health
• So you can see how these two nutrients can work together to improve joint health and function.

So, What’s the Difference Between Glucosamine vs Turmeric?

If glucosamine and turmeric both had the same bioactive elements that targeted the same bio-pathways, one might argue that one is superior to the other.

However, the structural and functional differences between these popular joint supplement constituents are significant.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is naturally present in the cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and synovial fluid that surround and cushion the joints.

Glucosamine supplements, which are often produced from shellfish, are commonly used to prevent collagen breakdown and protect synovial fluid, the lubricant that keeps joints moving smoothly and painlessly.

However, not all glucosamine comes from shellfish. They can also be corn-sourced too.

Turmeric is a “superfood” spice that gives curry its yellow color and is prominent in the Ayurvedic health tradition. Curcuminoids are the yellow plant pigments found in turmeric, with curcumin being the most bioactive. Turmeric is commonly used as a flavoring ingredient or as an anti-inflammatory supplement to improve joint health, cognitive health, metabolic performance, and other factors.

What is Turmeric and what are its benefits?

Turmeric is well-known as a spice in Indian cuisine, but it was traditionally used in Chinese medicine as well. In herbal medicine, turmeric has been used to treat wounds and inflammation for years. In Western medicine it’s most often used as an anti-inflammatory agent and painkiller.

Turmeric is the yellow plant pigment we use in cooking, also known as curcuminoids, with the main one being curcumin. People commonly consume it either by itself or as an anti-inflammatory supplement to help with joint pain.

Turmeric is useful for boosting the immune system because of its active compound called curcumin which helps with inflammation by blocking the enzymes COX-2. This helps to inhibit inflammatory responses created by cells during an injury or infection.

Curcumin also protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation which can trigger heart disease and stroke development. Curcumin reduces oxidative stress in the body by increasing levels of antioxidants like glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase as well as directly fighting free radicals.

What is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a natural supplement that can help with joint pain and other inflammation-related problems. It is made from the shells of shrimp or crab, and it can also be created in a lab.

Glucosamine has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. It was used as an antibiotic during World War I, because it can fight bacteria on its own.

Today, glucosamine is primarily used as a joint health supplement to improve mobility and reduce stiffness.

Glucosamine supplements are usually made from the shells of crustaceans like shrimp or crab, but they can also be created in laboratories using amino acids found in meat and plant proteins.

Glucosamine Benefits

As we age, the natural production of glucosamine is reduced. Foods that provides glucosamine include: yogurt, honey, oats, beans and lentils.

The glucosamine benefits are numerous. It can be used to treat osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and a variety of joint-related injuries. It also offers chondroprotective effects, meaning it protects our joints from wear and tear that can lead to cartilage deterioration.

While glucosamine cannot treat an injury or illness outright, the benefits of taking this supplement are undeniable.

Is It Safe to Take Glucosamine and Turmeric Together?

When it comes to safety, there is nothing that says that this combination shouldn’t be taken with any bad consequences.

Both supplements are indicated for joint support and there is is specific research that says they work individually. Although there aren’t any specific studies that claim they are more effective when taken together.

That being said, since glucosamine and turmeric are known to be so reliable and effective in protecting joint health individually, it makes sense that taken together they’d deliver the same benefits combined.

The only warning that we’d deliver is: prenatally taking both glucosamine and turmeric may also be harmful to developing babies as they can interfere with the absorption of iron.

Our Conclusion of Glucosamine vs Turmeric

Just research about joint health and you’ll find it difficult to not find both of these nutrients; glucosamine and turmeric.

That’s because they’ve been used for a long time in the treatment of joint health and many modern clinical studies have proven their benefits in this regard.

So which is better, glucosamine vs turmeric? We can’t really pick an answer since both are known to be reliable.

As a result, if you’re looking to help protect your joints, we recommend taking both together. Or finding a joint supplement that contains both of these ingredients in one product.