Glucosamine - Triathlon Week

BrandanHarmon · 01-26-2005, 03:12 AM

I am wondering if anyone here has experience with Glucosoamine. I am trying to relieve knee pain as my milage increases. I have been taking 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day for about 3 weeks and it seem to be helping. My knees have never been severly injured, just pushing 50 years old I guess. I am also doing light weight training to strengthen muscles around the knees.

Thanks for you help and advice.

Brandan

Spike10 · 01-28-2005, 12:42 PM

Hi Brandan, I'm also a knee pain sufferer, over the past few years I have used several different brands of joint relief supplements. If you use Glucosamine, it should also have Condrotin (sp?) these two work together for rebuilding joint tissue. It does take time for your body to respond to these supplements so the three weeks you have been on them is just about the right time to start feeling the benifits. I also play ice hockey at least once a week, and it really helps my knees.
Good luck and keep on training.
Mike.

BrandanHarmon · 01-28-2005, 05:10 PM

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I will keep taking the glucosamine. The other parts of my knee survival plan include losing some body weight (currently 6'4" and 215lbs.) and weight training for the front and back leg mucles (glutes and hamstring areas-I think).

I have noticed that the front of my legs are not as strong as the back. I think that is odd because I run very little at this point, but bike and swim quite a bit. Anybody have any ideas about that??

Thanks again Mike.

Brandan

pyschosyd · 02-16-2005, 01:39 PM

Mike
You might wnat to try doing some lunges as well. When I am working out my legs I do 3 sets 12-16 reps (lunges) then move to the machines and do glutes and hammes (same reps) I then do some squats and calf raises. (same reps)

I do this work out 2 times a week in the off season, and once every two weeks during the season.
Also try doing some hill work. If you are avoiding running because of the pain, try getting on a tread mill first. The impact on the knees is significantly less. You may also need new shoes. If you haven't been to a reputable running store I suggest that. They analyze your gait and tread patterns on your shoes. They might also be able to identify why you are having these knee problems.

Good luck, hope this helps! :bannana:
Syd

rhino52 · 03-07-2005, 05:16 AM

hey brandon i also just started glucosamine and condr, my friends have been taking it for a year know for his ankle and it seems to be doing great for him. he alsosaid it took about a month before he felt the bene's, as for the leg workouts i have no input but i look forward to the help others provide this has definitely been an inspirational site for me and my new found love of tri-ing. Good luck keep with the pace rhino

**daphne** · 03-31-2005, 01:35 PM

My Physical Therapist told me that research findings indicate that glucosamine helps but they don't know why? Keep taking it if it helps you.

Smartt/RST · 04-03-2005, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandanHarmon

I am wondering if anyone here has experience with Glucosoamine. I am trying to relieve knee pain as my milage increases. I have been taking 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day for about 3 weeks and it seem to be helping. My knees have never been severly injured, just pushing 50 years old I guess. I am also doing light weight training to strengthen muscles around the knees.

Thanks for you help and advice.

Brandan

Brandon,
Feel free to cut back on the dosage a bit; research has shown that going over 1.5g/day does not make any difference....your just making for some expensive urine.
As for strength training (and I'm obviously making some assumptions here on what you have or have not done already), I encourage you to not get carried away with this until getting some specific advice from a physical therapist. Some exercises were mentioned above, but they can do more damage than good if you do have any significant issues with your knees or the muscles that control the knee .... iow, your underlying casual issues may not be with your knees at all, but rather in your feet, hips, flexibility or ankle/knee/hip/low back alignment.
Good luck.

MVEILER · 06-09-2005, 06:44 PM

Brandon,
I'm getting up there in age and strongly rely on joint maintenance supplements, but I also make it a habit to replace my running shoe inserts to make sure I always have cushion on my side.