Nutrient Dosage Analysis

Which nutrients or ingredients are worth supplementing?

>For Dosage information go to vitamin Criteria<

The scope here is not to review every nutrient dosage, but the most important ones plus those requested by the membership.

Nutrient Dosages included for:

Amino Acids and proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, Phytonutrients, Probiotic Bacteria and Yeasts, Herbs, Herbal extracts, Enzymes, (still under development)

Evaluation for Dosage criteria:

• Positive (or negative) functions in body
• Scientific research support level 
• Size and scope of potential adverse effects
• Peripheral side effects other than target functions
• Bio-availability of supplement forms
• Absorption percentages
• Purity and quality

Example: Glucosamine    Effective score: 6    Safety score: 5  (out of 10)

1. Forms;  Glucosamine Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, & N-acetyl-glucosamine. The Sulfate forms need a salt stabilizer, sodium or potassium chloride.
2. Best form; Doesn't matter. Glucosamine salts are mostly separated during digestion from carrier element anyway.
3. Since the Sulfate form is made from the Glucosamine Hydrochloride form with the addition of a salt stablizer, the Hydrochloride form is a higher concentration and usually a lower price. Early research to improve joint health in dogs used this form.
4. European research was sponsored by the company that patented the sulfate sodium salt form, so most human research available on this form. But since digestion separates, form may not be much of a factor. (It is claimed the sulfur breaks off and forms other compounds with a pH controlling function, but the initial compount structure is stronger and all of it may not break apart)
5. Absorption percentage is represented by % separation in the stomach and resulting ionization process.
6. Absorption for Glucosamine salts is at about 50%+, slightly more for Glucosamine Hydrochloride. 
7. Research sponsored by companies that sell the product tend to be more favorable than later independent results. And that is just what happened with glucosamine.
8. The body naturally builds glucosamine from protein and sugar.
9. Glucosamine is building block for collagen and cartilage, good for joints and all connective tissues.
10. Some studies have showed benefits on joint health. It's worth a try unless....allergies, etc.
11. Glucosamine has shown the ability to reduce STAT3 activity to prevent and maybe stop certain kinds of prostate cancer cell growth  ref   Resveratrol might do this too.
12. These is a question about Glucosamine influencing insulin resistance and blood sugar levels. Some studies show positive and some negative. It appears that research has now found that in uncontrolled or unaware pre-diabetic conditions, glucosamine may have a negative effect. ref  While in controlled cases it might have no effect or a positive one. ref  This needs greater clarification due to the size of the growing diabetic epidemic. While animals studies show negative effects, fortunately, so far human research shows little effect over short term. Longer term studies are needed.  ref
13. DO NOT take Chondroitin, especially if there is any history of prostate problems. Chondroitin may increase the production of versican, a protein that binds to prostate cancer cells and increases cancer spreading. ref (also for breast cancer, ref) ref
14. Dosages. 1000 to 1500 mg.
15. 30% More effective if taken with vitamin C. And with mucopolysaccarides such as green lip mussels or orange footed sea cucumber and curcumin and ginger.
16. DO NOT TAKE CHONDROITIN period. When it is combined with glucosamine, the absorbed amount of glucosamine is reduced. ref
17. Personal note; I get more influence with combination formulas than with glucosamine alone or with chrondroitin, ingredients not used since family history of both prostate and breast cancers.

CAUTION NOTE: Hyaluronic Acid may have this same aspect, especially in breast and prostate cancers. Check out this research on HA levels and oral cancers.  ref   This is very serious since HA is being promoted as a "fountain of youth."  Until these issues are settled: DO NOT TAKE HYALURONIC ACID OR CHONDROITIN. The different molecular size of available products plays a major role in how HA responds in the body. ref  ref   ref

Below From eMedTV.com    

"Are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Safe?

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are claimed to provide numerous benefits, but are there any precautions for glucosamine and chondroitin? While the product appears to be safe for most people, you may not be able to take it safely if you have asthma, diabetes, prostate cancer, or high blood pressure. Glucosamine and chondroitin might negatively affect these conditions."

Glucosamine appears the safest ingredient in this group as long as used as suggested. There is a study showing maintainance of joint integrity over 3 month period. ref  Overall joint cartilage information here.

Glutathione         Effective Score: 3*    Safety score: 6

1. A tripeptide protein consisting of cysteine, glutamine, and glycine (amino acids).
2. It forms one of three master cellular detoxification enzymes, Glutathione Peroxidase.
3. One of the most powerful cellular antioxidants with supports for immunity.
4. Glutathione levels are lower in people with heart disease, in Alzheimer's, and some cancers.
5. *Just looking at functions, this nutrient would score a 10, but...
6. *Absorption is very low. There is even some question if it passes into cells intact from the blood stream. One of the leading researchers on glutathione says it probably has to be built in each cell.
7. It has a transport protein that attaches to it in blood and helps move it into the lungs since it is vital to lung function.
8. *Research has found certain nutrients that will increase glutathione production much more than by taking glutathione itself.
9. Vitamin C at 500 mg increased production an average of 50% as long as the building blocks were available. N Acetyl Cysteine and selenium are two of most important ones. 
10. Most important function in cells is to neutralize free radicals developed from energy production in the mitochondria.  

Definition: MItochondria are structures in cells where energy as ATP is produced. As humans age, the number of mitochondria in each cell diminishes and the amount of energy they can produce is reduced. This energy action level of mitochondria is being studied with links to many degenerative diseases. See ingredients CoQ10 and L-Carnitine. 

Comments

[John]

The research appears to indicate that there should be more scientific discussions about the possibilities for chondroitin? Why is the Public always the last to gain awareness?