A Guide to Glucosamine Products for Pets
Glucosamine
is very beneficial in the treatment for arthritis and hip dysplasia
in pets and is backed by numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled
studies. In these studies, glucosamine has been shown to assist in
the rehabilitation cartilage and reduce the progression of arthritis,
significantly lessen pain from arthritis, and increase mobility
in dogs and cats. However, one glucosamine product can be very
different from another.
When
your pet's pain relief and health is at stake, you need to know
how to choose between competing products and see through the marketing
hype. There are six factors that you need to take into your decision
before purchasing any glucosamine product. These are:
- Amount
of glucosamine per daily dose
- Type
of Glucosamine
- Quality
of Ingredients
- Delivery
System
- Synergistic
Ingredients
- Price
Per Day
- It
is very important to compare price per day and not price per
product, as many companies try to fool you by providing 60
capsules or 32 oz. and not telling you until after you purchased
that you must use 6 capsules or 2 oz. per day. Be careful
to always compare price per day.
Did
you know that the absorption rate and bio-availability of the
glucosamine in pills is significantly less than that when glucosamine
is delivered in liquid form? The "claimed fact" that
pills are the only and best way to obtain glucosamine is simply
not true.
According to the Physician's Desk Reference "only 10 to 20%
of vitamins and minerals in any pill form is absorbed by the human
body." Furthermore, the National Advisory Board states that
100 MG consumed in tablet form translates to a minute stabilized
8.3 MG or 8.3% concentrated in the blood, as compared to 98% in
liquid form.
Glucosamine
provided in liquid form is absorbed more quickly, much more fully,
and provides greater and longer lasting relief.
Due to this, we have given two ratings for the capsule products
since we need to be comparing apples with apples. The overall
rating is a rating that is compared to all products. The capsule
rating is a rating as it stands among only products which provide
glucosamine in pill form.
First we will review the leading liquid glucosamine products...
| |
Syn-flex™ |
Syn-flex |
Amount
of Glucosamine per daily dose for
10 pound pet: 156 mg
30 pound pet: 312 mg
75 pound pet:
625 mg
125 pound pet: 1250 mg
Type of Glucosamine: both Glucosamine Sulfate and
Glucosamine HCL
Quality of Glucosamine: Pharmaceutical quality (at least 98% purity)
Delivery System: Liquid
Synergistic Ingredients:
Chondroitin Sulfate, Boswellin, Yucca Powder, Manganese
Ascorbate, Bromelain, Vitamin C, Omega 3 Fatty Acid, Omega
6 Fatty Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin E
Price per day for 10 pound pet: $0.11
Price per day for 30 pound pet: $0.23
Price per day for 75 pound pet: $0.46
Price per day for 125 pound pet: $0.94
Rating Rationale: A combination of both glucosamine
sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride delivered by liquid
will ensure maximum absorption. The high quality glucosamine,
and eleven nutritional synergistic ingredients Chondroitin
Sulfate, Boswellin, Yucca, Manganese, Bromelain, Vitamin
A, C, and E, and essential fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega
6 combine to make a high quality, yet inexpensive product.
Manufacturer: Activex America, Inc.
Availability: Activex America will ship Syn-flex
worldwide direct to your door. Free shipping in U.S. You can order from their website.
Website: http://www.activexamerica.com/pets/
|
| |
Vet-Flex™ |
Vet-Flex™
|
Amount
of Glucosamine per daily dose for
10 pound pet: 100 mg
30 pound pet: 100 mg
75 pound pet:
100 mg
125 pound pet: 100 mg
Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine Sulfate
Quality of Glucosamine: not known
Delivery System: Liquid
Synergistic Ingredients:
100 mg. of MSM, 300 mg. of Mucopolysaccharides
Price per day for 10 pound pet: $0.62
Price per day for 30 pound pet: $0.62
Price per day for 75 pound pet: $0.62
Price per day for 125 pound pet: $0.62
Rating rationale: There is a very low amount of glucosamine,
unknown quality of ingredients, a lack of dosage information,
and an unproven system of Chondroitin delivery. There is
a reason why the price is low, because the product has very
little in it besides flavoring. The only thing this product
has going for it is that it is in liquid form.
Manufacturer: One Source Plus, Inc.
Availability: Available direct from website
Website: http://www.cortaflex.com |
A
note on MSM:
There is little credible evidence that this substance is of any
value. Worse yet, many MSM containing products are contaminated
with DMSO, a substance that should not be taken orally. Dimethyl
sulfoxide (DMSO) is an industrial compound that has been touted
as a relief for inflamed joints. While it may give temporary relief,
it is unproven and may cause skin irritation and diarrhea. Interestingly,
the claim to fame for MSM is that it supplies the body with extra
sulfur. Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate products contain
plenty of available sulfur.
The
Capsule Products
Reminder: Glucosamine provided in
liquid form is absorbed more quickly, much more fully, and provides
greater and longer lasting relief.
Due to this, we have given two ratings for the capsule products
since we need to be comparing apples with apples. The overall
rating is a rating that is compared to all products. The capsule
rating is a rating as it stands among only products which provide
glucosamine in pill form.
| |
Arthrix™ |
Arthrix™
|
Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose for
10 pound pet: 150 mg
30 pound pet: 300 mg
75 pound pet:
600 mg
125 pound pet: 850 mg
Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine HCL
Quality of Glucosamine: not states
Delivery System: capsule pill
Synergistic Ingredients: MSM, ester-c, arthrix, trace
of Omega 3
Price per day for 10 pound pet: $0.47
Price per day for 30 pound pet: $0.93
Price per day for 75 pound pet: $1.40
Price per day for 125 pound pet: $2.33
Rating Rationale: Arthrix is a fairly expensive capsule
product. With the glucosamine in powder form delivered in
a capsule, the glucosamine will not be fully absorbed and
it may take 6-10 weeks to notice relief if any at all occurs.
This product lacks a number of nutritional ingredients that
are essential to a well-balanced, fully effective treatment
for arthritis in dogs and cats. The glucosamine
used is Glucosamine HCL. Also, the dosage of glucosamine
is less than optimal. A 125 pound pet should be receiving
about 1250 mg, not 850 mg, for example.
Manufacturer: Kala Health, Inc.
Availability: Available direct from website
Website: http://www.arthrix.com |
| |
Cosequin
DS™ |
|
Cosequin
DS™
|
Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose for
10 pound pet: 125 mg
30 pound pet: 500 mg
75 pound pet:
750 mg
125 pound pet: 1000 mg
Type
of Glucosamine: Glucosamine HCL
Quality of Glucosamine: "high purity"
Delivery System: capsule tablets
Synergistic Ingredients: Manganese, Chondroitin
Price per day for 10 pound pet: $0.19
Price per day for 30 pound pet: $0.77
Price per day for 75 pound pet: $1.17
Price per day for 125 pound pet: $1.55
Rating Rationale: A good amount of glucosamine,
however, it is glucosamine HCL, which has not shown to
be as effective as glucosamine sulfate. Furthermore, in
pill form, the glucosamine HCL and chondroitin sulfate
will not be absorbed very well and provide less than optimal
treatment for your pet's arthritis. This product also
lacks a number of synergistic ingredients like Omega 3
and 6, Boswellin, Bromelain, and Yucca.
Manufacturer: Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.
Availability: From your veterinarian
Website:
http://www.cosamin.com
|
Summary
In
summary, we recommend products that contain 98% pure
liquid glucosamine sulfate or a mixture of both
glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCL. The best products are
also combined with ingredients that work synergistically with
glucosamine to help rebuild cartilage, ease pain, reduce inflammation,
and increase mobility. These include:
- Chondroitin
Sulfate
- Boswellin
- Yucca
Powder
- Manganese
Ascorbate
- Bromelain
- Vitamin
C
- Omega
3 Fatty Acid
- Omega
6 Fatty Acid
- Vitamin
A
- Vitamin
E
While
the majority of research to date has been done on capsule products,
liquid products provide greater absorption and greater bioavailability
meaning more relief for your dog or cat's arthritis pain.
Overall, the product that came closest to these recommendations
is Syn-flex.
For more information on Syn-flex, you may visit http://www.activexamerica.com/pets/
References:
1.
Syn-flex product information: http://www.activexamerica.com/
2. Vet-Flex product information: http://www.cortaflex.com
3. Arthrix product information: http://www.drinkartiflex.com
4. Cosequin product information: http://www.jointjuice.com
