Popular joint supplement Glucosamine linked to faster Alzheimer’s progression, new study finds

Key Points:

• A new study published in Nature Metabolism found that people with Alzheimer’s disease who took glucosamine were 25% more likely to die within five years compared to those who did not take the supplement, and those with mild cognitive impairment taking glucosamine were 25% more likely to progress to full Alzheimer’s.
• The study analyzed medical records from over 65,000 patients and conducted mouse experiments, revealing that glucosamine worsened memory loss in Alzheimer’s-model mice, while blocking sugar-producing enzymes improved symptoms; healthy mice showed no effects from glucosamine.
• Although glucosamine is widely used as an over-the-counter supplement for joint health, the findings suggest it may be harmful to brains already experiencing cognitive decline, despite earlier studies indicating potential protective effects in cognitively healthy adults.
• The research shows an association but does not prove causation, and further controlled studies are needed; however, ethical concerns limit randomized trials administering glucosamine to patients with dementia.
• Future research aims to investigate whether stopping glucosamine slows cognitive decline, explore compounds that reduce sugar buildup on brain cells, and assess risks of other similar supplements in people with cognitive impairment.