Some glucosamine products seem to have other things like boswellia, bromelain, and vitamin C. What are they?
Boswellia is an herb made from the leaves of the boswellia serrata tree. It has been commonly used to reduce inflammation and relax blood vessels. The latter function is important for joint repair, because the body’s joints have a poor blood supply–that’s why it takes a long time for healing to occur. Boswellia may improve the circulation and promote healing. Bromelain is an enzyme from pineapple. It acts like an anti-inflammatory if taken without food. It reduces inflammation by breaking down proteins (damaged connective tissue) in the joints. But if it’s taken with food, it helps break down protein in the food and thus may not reach the desired location. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is necessary for the repair of all connective tissue.
