A study has found that glucosamine, a common supplement used for joint pain, may be linked to faster progression of dementia.
Researchers from the University of Florida reported that the widely used over-the-counter supplement is associated with a significantly higher risk of progression from mild memory problems to Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, published in Nature Metabolism, used artificial intelligence to analyze decades of patient records from UF Health.
Findings showed that patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who reported taking glucosamine were 25% more likely to develop dementia than those who did not take the supplement.
Glucosamine, a sugar-related molecule, is commonly used to treat joint pain. Researchers found that it can cross the blood-brain barrier and interfere with metabolic processes in the brain.
They explained that “sugar tags” help regulate brain function, but in Alzheimer’s disease, this system is already overactive. Glucosamine may worsen this imbalance.
“The Alzheimer’s brain is adding too many of these sugar structures, and this seems to contribute to the disease rather than protect against it,” said Matt Gentry, Ph.D., chair of UF’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
In addition to the increased risk of dementia, the study also found that glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher risk of mortality.
Laboratory tests showed that mice treated with glucosamine experienced worsened “social memory,” or the ability to recognize others.
However, researchers emphasized that the findings are “provocative” and show an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Further human clinical trials are needed to confirm the link.
Patients taking glucosamine for joint health who are concerned about cognitive risks are advised to consult their physicians before making any changes, the researchers said.
