Glucosamine Sulfate

To date, many different studies have been done using Glucosamine ingredients. However, not many people know that there are different types of Glucosamine’s – Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine Hydrochloride and even different types of stabilizations. All seem similar but are vastly different.

Studies on Glucosamine have used both ingredients with different stabilizations at different quality levels, causing inconsistent results and some failed studies. This is what has added to the ever-growing question, does Glucosamine work? Yes, it works. The more positive and clinically relevant studies have shown that high quality (pharmaceutical/USP grade) Glucosamine Sulfate at 1,500 mg dosage is more effective in supporting joint health. Furthermore, the positive studies using Glucosamine Sulfate were done using the sodium chloride stabilization. However, the potassium chloride stabilization also used for Glucosamine Sulfates, have been found to work just as well.

This is why in InvigoFlex we offer two Glucosamine sulfates, one using the Classic stabilization method of sodium chloride (InvigoFlex D) and a Glucosamine Sulfate that uses a potassium stabilization (InvigoFlex GS) in order to offer customers a sodium free, shellfish free and vegetarian safe alternative.

Chondroitin Sulfate

While many doctors recommend Glucosamine Sulfate for joint health, Chondroitin Sulfate as a stand-alone product is beginning to become popular due to its studied benefits. While Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine Sulfate are different, they both aim to achieve the same results in different ways.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that helps with overall cartilage health while Chondroitin Sulfate—also a molecule found naturally within the body—helps the cartilage retain water and promotes overall cartilage flexibility and improve shock-absorbing properties. Glucosamine is normally sourced from shellfish. Chondroitin Sulfate on the other hand, derives from animal source ingredients primarily from a cow—bovine. Glucosamine Sulfate has studies proving effectiveness primarily on knee joints. Chondroitin Sulfate has been shown to work well not only in the knee joints but also on hand joints.

Chondroitin Sulfate has been studied in over 40 different clinical trials as a standalone ingredient to provide joint relief. Chondroitin Sulfate as a stand-alone product (without Glucosamine) is recommended in Europe as a baseline treatment for joint relief in both the knees and hands. Recommended dosage ranges from 800 mg to 1200 mg. Most studies use the 1200 mg dosage. The typical Chondroitin Sulfate that you find in the market today may use different chemical structures, especially on the levels of richness, molecular weight, dosages, and impurity profiles. This means, you may find Chondroitin Sulfate ingredients that do not contain the recommended dosage of 1,200 mg and may contain purity levels of 90% or worse. Our Chondroitin Sulfate uses the recommended dosage while also containing max purity levels of 95% - 105%.

Glucosamine & Chondroitin Combination

Most products aim to give customers both Glucosamine & Chondroitin – combined. However, many problems arise from companies not only combining these ingredients together in the same pill, but also in choosing the wrong ingredients and failing to provide the right dosage. Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements have been surrounded with a variety of issues all stemming from misinformation. These have also contributed to a variety of both positive and negative studies done on the combination of both ingredients. On the positive side, some research has concluded that both Glucosamine and Chondroitin ingredients can provide support for more advanced joint discomfort and may be beneficial for those that need that extra layer of support. However, a 2010 study examined the pharmacokinetics of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate when taken separately or in combination. It found that Glucosamine was significantly reduced by the combination dose of Chondroitin Sulfate. This provided an interesting dilemma. Both ingredients can have benefits for customers when together but offering them in the same pill can be counterproductive.

This is why we introduced InvigoFlex® AMPM. A day and night joint supplement that provides Glucosamine in the morning and Chondroitin in the evening. While others combine both Glucosamine and Chondroitin within the same pill, we provide both ingredients separately in two different bottles. This keeps both ingredients at full effect and bioavailability. With InvigoFlex® AMPM, you now get the best of both worlds, giving you not only the right ingredients at the right time, but a full 24 hours of joint support.