Glucosamine, a popular joint supplement, linked to faster Alzheimer’s progression
Researchers at the University of Florida have linked the use of glucosamine supplements to a faster progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. The study suggests that disrupted metabolism may play a role in neurodegeneration, though further clinical trials are required.
Why it matters
Millions of older adults use glucosamine for joint health, making these findings critical for public health and patient safety.
A widely used supplement for joint pain has been linked to a potentially concerning outcome in people with early cognitive problems.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that glucosamine use was associated with a greater likelihood that mild cognitive impairment would progress to dementia. Mild cognitive impairment, often shortened to MCI, describes measurable problems with memory or thinking that are greater than expected with normal aging but do not necessarily interfere substantially with everyday life.
The findings come from a large retrospective analysis of patient health records, supported by experiments involving human brain tissue and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The results remain preliminary and will need to be tested in a human clinical trial, but the researchers say they add to growing evidence that disrupted metabolism may play an important role in neurodegeneration.
The study was published in Nature Metabolism.
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