Glucosamine, a popular joint supplement, linked to faster Alzheimer’s progression
A large health-record analysis found that glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher likelihood of mild cognitive impairment progressing to dementia. Lab experiments suggest the popular joint supplement may intensify an abnormal sugar-tagging process in the Alzheimer’s brain, although researchers say clinical trials are needed to determine whether it actually causes harm.
A study published in Nature Metabolism suggests that the popular joint supplement glucosamine may accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with early cognitive problems. Researchers at the University of Florida analyzed health records and conducted experiments on human brain tissue and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.
The study found that people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who used glucosamine had a 25% higher likelihood of progressing to dementia, while those already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease had a 25% higher mortality risk. However, the association was not observed in the MCI group. The researchers did not establish that glucosamine directly causes dementia progression, but their findings add to growing evidence that disrupted metabolism may play a significant role in neurodegeneration.
The study highlights the potential of investigating metabolic pathways as a complementary approach to targeting Alzheimer's plaques and tangles.
Written by urgent.news from ScienceDaily's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
