Glucosamine is a promising "natural" treatment that has been proven to be effective in treating osteoarthritic pain, rehabilitating cartilage, renewing synovial fluid, and repairing joints that have been damaged from osteoarthritis.

Glucosamine stimulates chondrocyte cells to produce the amino monosaccharide that builds healthy cartilage. As aging occurs, production of glucosamine decreases and cartilage and bones begin to scrape against each other. Joints are damaged and the lubricating synovial fluid in joint spaces becomes thin and watery.

Glucosamine is not an analgesic, antioxidant, or anti-inflammatory, although it bears these properties because of its ability to normalize cartilage, lessen pain, and stimulate the healing process.