Glucosamine for runners...

From what I understand, glucosamine works to rebuild cartilige that may have been worn from constant pressure on your joints, in this case, from running. I've heard really good things about it. Personally, I'd check with a sports medicine doctor or physical therapist first to make sure there isn't an underlying cause to the joint pain, but I don't see any harm in using it.

Glucosamine or Glucosamine Chondroitin can be useful for some folks. Back when I started running on my own (during college) I used to take some as I got towards longer runs. For me it helped most if I had been taking it in series (like starting before longer runs) than when I took it just day of or after a long run. If you are having joint problems I'd also suggest that you take a look at your running form, you are probably landing in a heel strike. It might also be worth it to check if you are wearing the right kind of running shoes.

I use it before intense cardio.

I haven't been taking it lately, but plan on taking it again. It will take probably a couple months for you to notice it's working. I noticed stronger nails. It was pretty cool. I'm not a runner but have the noisiest joints a person can have. I have a small frame and certain, sudden movements make my joints pop. LOL I learned to get used to it, but every now and then I supplement my joints because I want to protect them and afraid they'll wear away if I don't do anything.

I use it, because I had a heal injury, but I can't tell if it is working or not, I take A LOT of different vitamins and supplements - and I can tell which in particular is working, BUT I can tell that some of them ARE helping me! My skin is better, I feel more energized, alert, sleep better, and feel healthier.

Would be very interested to know this too as I have cartilage problems and general connective tissue issues. Especially in my knees, hips and ankles, at the moment, I have a constant ache in my left knee, funnily enough, not painful when running but it is during squats, cycling and rowing and being sedentary then standing up! My Dad takes it and I used to, it's quite expensive, however my Dad says you can take it for 3 months and it builds up enough to last 3 months in your system so you can take 3 months off taking it, so effectively you only take it for 6 months a year. Don't quote me on that as I don't know what the variables are surrounding that.


BUMP !

I take 500 mg 3 times a day with my meals and I really like it. Even if it doesn't make a substantial difference in the issues you are currently having, it's still a good and inexpensive supplement for any serious runner to take because it helps to build and maintain cartilage which is often a concern for runners. It can also relieve joint pain. Who know, It might be a proactive way to prevent any future injuries and pain.

I started taking it about 2 weeks ago (Vitamin Shoppe brand with Chrondroitin and MSM) and I think I am having less pain in my knees. I am not a runner but I do walk my dog several miles a day and have been adding in some jogging spurts. I do some other weight training and cardio as well. I am 50 and have to be careful with my knees and my husband had a bottle he wasn't taking so I figured why not? I don't think there are any side effects. Someone said it helps some people and not others and I bet that is spot on.

I tried glucosamine a few years ago and it seemed to help with knee pain.

Later I found a permanent knee pain cure in correct running form and minimalist running shoes.

I had knee pain (Runner's Knee) for 30 years. When I moved to Southern CA, my GP suggested that I try glucosamine. It worked for me.

Glucosamine has been clinically trialed for moderate RA and was found to be as effective as a placebo (meaning that it did help some folks). I do believe that it helped me with my chondromalacia. For 30 years, I had constant pain my left knee and stabbing pain in my right knee once or maybe twice a week. After taking gluc, that stopped.

Even though gluc gave me total relief of pain, I stopped taking it a few months after I started running because I wanted to see if my running had strengthened my leg muscles to the point where the pain was gone. Fortunately, that's how it turned out.

I started running in June 2010 and it appears that the increased in leg muscle strength allows my knee caps to track correctly and I have zero knee pain.

[long answer, I realize]

Gluc is gluc. Like any other supplement, you can buy it cheap or you can spend a fortune. For me, I bought it at CostCo because this product is about as exotic as a vitamin pill. Buy your cheap and send a donation to MFP. :-)