Dog Glucosamine
used in Free and Easy for Dogs uses pure enzyme-extracted
form of glucosamine, instead of the sulfate
(extracted with sulfuric acid) or hydrochloride (extracted
with muriatic acid) forms used by other companies.
The sulfate or HCL is simply a carrier molecule for the actual
glucosamine. One study showed the actual glucosamine in glucosamine sulphate
to be 63% and for HCL it was 83%. Free and Easy is extracted using water
resulting in more pure form of
dog glucosamine, which is one of
the reasons why it is so effective. The
glucosamine
dosage for dogs is reduced. Also, a potential
problem of glucosamine sulphate is some dogs and humans
are allergic to the sulpha.
Glucosamine is an amino acid sugar complex with anti-inflammatory properties.
It actually helps the cartilage to regenerate itself.
It is essential for the formation of two vital connective
tissue substances necessary for tendons, ligaments, skin
tissue, fingernails, mucous membranes in the respiratory
and digestive systems. It reduces pain and swelling
in affected joints and helps damaged cartilage to redraw.
Tests using glucosamine have shown significant improvement
in pets with osteoarthritis. It has been the first
line of treatment in Europe for 20 years. Their
use in the relief and healing of the symptoms of joint
disease is currently their biggest use. Glucosamine
and chondroitin have been successfully used in humans,
horses, dogs and cats.
Glucosamine is a precursor molecule for chondroitin and other mucopolysaccharides
MPS's or glycosaminoglycans (GAG's). These modified sugar
chain substances react with collagen and elastin to maintain
the structure of joints, arteries, heart, brain, skin
and other tissues, and they are the basis of cartilage
as well. So, GAG's and MPS's maintain the elastic or gel
nature of tissues. Glucosamine is also a precursor
for hyaluronic acid, making up 50% of the acid. The
way that glucosamine works is a very complicated process.
In a nutshell, cartilage consist of several different cells one of which is
chondrocytes.
Chondrocytes are responsible for synthesizing new cartilage. Through
normal wear, cartilage is constantly being broken down
and replaced. When a dog ages, the chondrocytes
do not have the building blocks available to them to build
enough new cartilage to keep up with the breakdown of
the old cartilage. Glucosamine provides the building blocks
to synthesize new cartilage.
Recently veterinarians and pet owners in the United States
have prescribed products with Gluclosamine, Chondroitin
and Ester-C for their pets. Free & Easy for Dogs is an example
of a commercially tested product available for pet owners
with these vitamin supplements.
Products like
Free & Easy for
Dogs containing
dog glucosamine is proving to be one of the safest
and best treatments for the crippling affects of osteoarthritis that affects
millions of aging dogs throughout the United States.
