A Flood of Health Functional Foods: What Is to Be Recommended?

Lee, Eun Sil

A 500 mg of glucosamine three times daily is recommended, and common side effects are epigastric pain (3.5%), heartburn (2.7%), diarrhea (2.5%), nausea (1%) and others. 40 Although there is a concern that glucosamine may decrease the effects of antidiabetic medications, there is no report that glucosamine can reduce insulin sensitivity or increase insulin resistance. Nevertheless, patients with DM should monitor their blood glucose level more frequently when taking glucosamine supplements. Moreover, glucosamine made from crustacean shells is strictly forbidden in people with shellfish allergy or asthma. Physicians should fully inform patients with osteoarthritis about the effects and controversies of glucosamine when prescribing glucosamine supplements. Glucosamine with potential benefits can be taken into consideration especially when other drugs are not usable. Since most positive results are noticed 30 to 90 days after taking glucosamine sulfate, patients will decide whether they should continue treatment after trying glucosamine sulfate for 60 days. 34 In conclusion, although some study results suggest that red ginseng can boost immunity against influenza infection and improve erectile dysfunction, but its beneficial effects are unclear in healthy persons. Moreover, there is insufficient evidence that multivitamin intake prevents the risk of chronic disease or cancer and reduces mortality rate in healthy adults on a balanced diet. Eating fishy oil more than twice a week or taking omega-3 on a regular basis lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. It still remains controversial glucosamine is effective in osteoarthritis, so it can be taken into account in patients who are unable to take other osteoarthritis medicines after detailed consultation.