Pain might be temporary, but using certain pain relief pills could harm the brain in the long run.
Approximately 42% of Americans are predicted to develop dementia after 55, which is close to the rate of older adults with arthritis.
Many people rely on a common supplement to alleviate joint discomfort, yet recent studies indicate it may actually contribute to faster cognitive decline and an increased likelihood of death in Alzheimer’s patients.
Each year, over 40 million Americans consume glucosamine, made from glucose and the amino acid glutamine, hoping to slow cartilage breakdown, which can help with pain and swelling.
A study in Nature Metabolism revealed that Alzheimer’s patients taking glucosamine supplements had a 25% greater chance of dying within five years compared to those avoiding it.
This supplement also appeared to impact individuals with mild cognitive impairment, increasing the likelihood that they would progress to full-blown Alzheimer’s.
In addition, researchers observed that mice showing symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s and given glucosamine had impaired memory.
Interestingly, inhibiting the enzyme responsible for producing sugars like glucosamine appeared to improve dementia symptoms, including short-term memory loss.
A key characteristic of Alzheimer’s is the presence of toxic protein clumps, known as tau, which disrupt cognitive functioning.
However, another lesser-known factor in this degenerative disease is an excessive buildup of sugar on brain cells and proteins.
Normally, healthy brain cells maintain short sugar chains, known as N-glycans, that help proteins adhere appropriately.
In Alzheimer’s patients, these sugar chains accumulate in inappropriate locations.
This accumulation disrupts normal protein function in the brain, leading to memory problems and cell death, a condition termed hyperglycosylation.
Earlier studies suggested a link between glucosamine use and reduced dementia risk, but those studies focused on individuals with intact cognitive function.
Results from the latest study indicate a correlation between cognitive decline and glucosamine use, but not direct causation. One physician cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions.
“This does not mean that glucosamine caused the increased risk of dementia,” said internist and pain specialist Jacob Teitelbaum. “The study’s conclusion seems shaky, as patients with arthritis naturally exhibit cognitive decline over time. It’s likely that chronic arthritis pain is the real culprit, NOT the glucosamine.”
He also referenced research showing that regular glucosamine intake is linked to a 15% to 39% reduction in overall mortality risk.
“The heightened risk of dementia is particularly relevant in those experiencing arthritis pain. Effectively managing pain is crucial for lowering Alzheimer’s risk, which can be achieved by addressing four main pain components,” he remarked.
Researchers are currently investigating compounds to inhibit the N-glycan molecule, aiming to decrease sugar accumulation on brain cells and see its effects on Alzheimer’s progression.
While it’s not available as a supplement, various studies have indicated that diets high in sugar and saturated fats may foster brain inflammation, potentially harming brain cells and increasing dementia risk.
