A new study has raised concerns about the long-term use of glucosamine, a widely used over-the-counter supplement used to relieve joint pain.

Regular use of it may be linked to a higher risk of developing dementia, according to Reuters.

Researchers analyzed medical data collected between 2012 and 2024 from nearly 60,000 patients with varying levels of dementia. cognitive impairment.

The results showed that people who used glucosamine regularly were 25% more likely to develop dementia, compared to those who did not.

The study also found that in patients who already suffered from dementia, glucosamine use was associated with a 25% increased risk of death during the observation period.
This effect was not observed in people with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting that the impact of the supplement may be greater in advanced stages of the disease. To understand the possible mechanism, scientists also conducted experiments on animals.

They found that glucosamine can worsen a process known as hyperglycosylation, where sugar molecules bind abnormally to proteins in the brain, hindering important neurological functions.

Co-author of the study, Matt Gentry, emphasized that the data are very provocative, but do not yet prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

According to him, the results raise an important clinical question that deserves further investigation.

An accompanying commentary published along with the study in “Nature Metabolism”, suggests that the glycosylation process may be a new therapeutic target in the fight against dementia.

However, experts emphasize that further studies are needed before recommending a change in glucosamine use in patients

Source: prizrenpost