Glucosamine is naturally present in the body, and is found in most of the foods we eat. Glucosamine is one of the major building blocks utilized in the body's synthesis of the lubricants and shock absorbing mechanisms necessary to maintain and restore healthy joint performance.

Glucosamine hydrochloride is becoming more and more known for its varied benefits which include joint lubrication and anti-inflammatory properties.

Glucosamine plays an important function in joint health. Glucosamine is a precursor to glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin sulfate and keratan. Glucosamine also makes up 50% of hyaluronic acid (the lubricant within synovial fluid which is in your joints). These glycosaminoglycans are critical in the formation of collagen and proteoglycans, which hold water and function like shock absorbers within your joints. Glucosamine supplementation enhances the ability of the body to manufacture collagen and proteoglycans which are essential for rebuilding joints, as well as synovial fluid which lubricates your joints.

Essentially, you need to take less Glucosamine HCL. Within the body, once broken down, both are equal. The difference, however, lies in how the respective Glucosamines are manufactured. Glucosamine HCL is a 99% pure product. When Glucosamine sulfate is manufactured, pure Glucosamine sulfate is very hygroscopic and degrades rapidly (turns from white to brown) when exposed to moisture. To avoid this, the Glucosamine sulfate, as currently imported, is made from Glucosamine HCL by adding either sodium or potassium sulfate and co-crystallizing the resulting mixture. Thus, most of the Glucosamine sulfate imported is only 80% pure with the remainder being sodium or potassium chloride. This difference in purity means that you have to take more Glucosamine sulfate to get the same effect as you would get with a smaller dose of Glucosamine HCL, and there is a significant intake of salt.