Scientists Explore Glucosamine in Treating Cancer
Glucosamine has been studied, accepted, and recommended by doctors and scientists for years as an effective supplement to promote joint health. It continues to be regularly studied for other benefits.
An article published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine details a study on how glucosamine can potentially benefit cancer patients.
The study of various cancer treatments often includes exploring how various elements interact with tumors, understanding inflammatory cells, and impacts on fibroblasts. Successful and popular treatment methods often include radiotherapy, especially when treating chest tumors. Although various types of radiation therapy have become standard in treatment for cancer, it often affects healthy cells throughout other parts of the body.
Often, patients with cancer fear undergoing radiation therapy as the side effects can be physically and emotionally taxing.
Glucosamine has been shown to reduce joint inflammation. This study sought to explore whether the anti-inflammatory effect of glucosamine supplements could be extended to preventing lung injuries in patients who receive radiation treatment.
The study notes, “Nowadays, radiotherapy is one of the most common treatment methods for chest tumors, however, side effects caused by radiotherapy raised more and more attention.” The study concludes that “glucosamine could be a novel potential radioprotector for radiation-induced lung injury.”
(Lei X, Ma N, Liang Y, et al. Glucosamine protects against radiation-induced lung injury via inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 2020 Sep;24(18):11018-11023. DOI )