A commonly used supplement for joint pain may have unintended effects on brain health, according to a new study.
Researchers have found that glucosamine, often taken to manage arthritis and joint discomfort, could be linked to a faster progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia.
Study Reveals Higher Risk of Dementia ProgressionThe study, published in Nature Metabolism, analyzed health records from nearly 60,000 patients with varying degrees of cognitive impairment.
Researchers discovered that individuals who regularly used glucosamine were 25% more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to dementia compared with non-users.
Additionally, the study found that dementia patients who used glucosamine faced a 25% higher risk of death during the study period.
A commonly used supplement for joint pain may have unintended effects on brain health, according to a new study. Researchers have found that glucosamine, often taken to manage arthritis and joint discomfort, could be linked to a faster progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia.
Study Reveals Higher Risk of Dementia Progression
The study, published in Nature Metabolism, analyzed health records from nearly 60,000 patients with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Researchers discovered that individuals who regularly used glucosamine were 25% more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to dementia compared with non-users.
Additionally, the study found that dementia patients who used glucosamine faced a 25% higher risk of death during the study period.
Researchers Investigate the Biological Mechanism
To understand the association, scientists examined how glucosamine affects the brain. Their findings suggest that the supplement may worsen a process known as hyperglycosylation, in which excessive sugar molecules attach to proteins in the brain. This abnormal process can disrupt critical neurological functions and potentially contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
Furthermore, animal studies showed that glucosamine increased protein glycosylation and worsened memory-related outcomes. When researchers reduced this process, memory performance improved.
Evidence Extends Beyond Human Health Records
The research team combined electronic health record analysis with laboratory investigations involving mouse models and human brain tissue samples. These experiments revealed significantly higher levels of abnormal protein glycosylation in Alzheimer’s disease brain specimens compared with healthy brain tissue.
As a result, researchers believe that altered metabolic pathways may play a more direct role in Alzheimer’s disease progression than previously understood.
Experts Urge Caution, Not Alarm
Despite the findings, researchers emphasized that the study establishes an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Therefore, they caution against drawing definitive conclusions until clinical trials confirm the results.
Matt Gentry, Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Florida, noted that the findings raise important clinical questions that require further investigation.
Growing Attention From the Medical Community
As per Economic Times, the study highlights a potentially targetable metabolic pathway that could open new avenues for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The findings have attracted significant attention because millions of older adults worldwide regularly take glucosamine supplements for joint health.
Given the widespread use of the supplement, researchers believe healthcare providers should carefully evaluate its potential risks in patients with cognitive impairment.
Need for Further Clinical Research
While the results are concerning, experts stress that more research is necessary before changes to treatment recommendations can be made. Future clinical trials will help determine whether glucosamine directly contributes to dementia progression and whether certain patient groups face greater risks than others.
Until then, individuals taking glucosamine—especially those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia—should consult their healthcare providers before making any decisions regarding supplement use.
