Is Hair Loss One of the Side Effects of Using Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a chemical found in the human body. Glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine supplements are sold. Glucosamine is important as it works as a building block of chemicals that construct ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and fluid enclosing the joints. Glucosamine supplements help increase the amount of cartilage and keep them from damaging. With increased oral intake, side effects to glucosamine can be seen. 

Glucosamine is a natural substance that people often take as a supplement to help with joint health, especially if they have osteoarthritis. There is no strong proof that glucosamine causes hair loss. Hair loss usually happens because of things like family history (genetics), hormones, stress, not eating well, or some medicines. If you are losing hair and think it might be because of glucosamine or another supplement, talk to your Hair Specialist Clinic to get help.

Glucosamine supplements are used to treat the following conditions:

• Osteoarthritis 

Orally taking glucosamine sulfate relieves people suffering from osteoarthritis-related knee pain. Glucosamine hydrochloride is also combined with other ingredients to treat the same. 

• Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Glucosamine hydrochloride also reduces pain related to rheumatoid arthritis. 

• Joint Pain 

Glucosamine sulphate is also proven to relieve joint pain. The benefits of hip, spine and hand osteoarthritis are yet to be proven. 

Though glucosamine is a useful supplement, its use has several reported side effects, as listed below. 

• Allergy- Glucosamine is derived from shellfish shells and may cause allergies in some predisposed individuals. 
• Diarrhoea- Oral intake of glucosamine may cause mild side effects that include nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. 
• Hair Loss- Hair loss is observed in people who consume glucosamine sulphate, particularly those above 60. This side effect is not common and is rarely seen, and the hair loss can be reversed once the intake of the chemical is terminated. 
• Headache- Other side effects of glucosamine include drowsiness, headache and heartburn.