- With Mayo Clinic endocrinologist
Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.
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Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.
Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.
Dr. Maria Collazo-Clavell is board certified in internal medicine, endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. She is a consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic and an assistant professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
The Aibonito, Puerto Rico, native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1994.
She is a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American College of Endocrinology, the American Diabetes Association and The Endocrine Society.
Dr. Collazo-Clavell is medical editor for the Web site's diabetes content and the book "Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes." Her clinical interests include management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity and nutritional disorders.
Definition (1)
- 'Degenerative changes' in the spine: Is this arthritis?
Treatments and drugs (4)
- Arthritis pain: Are opiates safer than NSAIDs for older people?
- Hip resurfacing: An alternative to conventional hip replacement?
- Arthritis pain medications: Do they raise blood pressure?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (3)
- Glucosamine: Does it affect blood sugar?
- MSM for arthritis pain: Is it safe?
- Water exercise for arthritis: Does pool temperature matter?
Alternative medicine (1)
- Glucosamine supplements: Can they rebuild cartilage?
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Question
Glucosamine: Does it affect blood sugar?
Is it safe to take glucosamine if I have diabetes? I take glucosamine for mild osteoarthritis. But I recently heard that glucosamine may make it more difficult to control my blood sugar levels.
Answer
from Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.
Glucosamine is one of the most popular dietary supplements sold in the United States, even though study results have been mixed regarding its ability to reduce osteoarthritis pain.
Some preliminary research had suggested that glucosamine might worsen insulin resistance, which can contribute to increases in blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. However, subsequent studies refute these findings.
While glucosamine doesn't appear to affect blood sugar levels, talk with your doctor about potential interactions with other medications you might be taking — such as warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner.
Next questionMSM for arthritis pain: Is it safe?
- Dahmer S, et al. Glucosamine. American Family Physician. 2008;78:471.
- Glucosamine sulfate. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 11, 2009.
