Can young people (20 something female) take glucosamine to prevent joint pain?
No it would not work that way. Its actions, if any, are reparative. I do know folk who take it for arthritic joints and another who takes it for sciatica and it does help these individuals. And many vets prescribe it for arthritic dogs. But if you have no problem you do not need it. There is a theory that it might be the sulphate part of the glucosamine that is in fact the active agent in terms of joint health…..hence why chondroitin sulphate and Methylsulphonylmethane [MSM] appear to have similar effects or benefits, anecdotally. You might like to read this review for more information on that and the role of sulphur in human nutrition: http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltex… Sorry to give a pessimistic outlook here, with it being New Year as well, but If you live somewhere cold its probably near impossible to avoid joint pain/stiffness one hundred percent. Take fish oil from now and continue to do so
