New Study: Glucosamine Raises the Risk of Dementia and of Death

The authoritative journal Nature Metabolism recently published a large study involving researchers from the University of Florida and other institutions. The researchers analyzed the medical records of nearly 60,000 patients with varying degrees of cognitive impairment between 2012 and 2024, and found that long-term use of glucosamine raises by 25% the risk that mild cognitive impairment will progress to dementia. During the study period, among patients who already had dementia, long-term glucosamine users also had a 25% higher risk of death. The study shows an association between glucosamine and dementia as well as mortality in dementia patients.

Animal experiments suggest that glucosamine aggravates a harmful process in the brain called hyperglycosylation, in which sugar molecules abnormally bind to brain proteins, disrupting key neural functions. A commentary published alongside the study notes that the increased glycosylation caused by dietary glucosamine is associated with worsening dementia, suggesting that glycosylation "is a viable target pathway for combating the disease."

Glucosamine has long been a favored supplement among middle-aged and elderly people with arthritis and joint degeneration; it is said to nourish joint cartilage, help repair wear, and relieve pain. But its side effects have been little known, and this study fills that gap. It also warns people that misusing glucosamine carries risks.