A new study has linked glucosamine, a widely used supplement for joint health, with a higher likelihood of dementia progression among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Researchers from the University of Florida analyzed deidentified health records collected between 2012 and 2024. After accounting for age, sex and demographics, they found that glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher likelihood of MCI progressing to dementia.
Researchers Identify a Possible Mechanism
The researchers also investigated how glucosamine might influence Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings point to a metabolic process involving the attachment of sugar structures to proteins, known as glycosylation.
Experiments involving mouse models and human brain tissue showed increased activity in this pathway in Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, mice given glucosamine developed greater deficits in social memory, while suppressing the sugar-attachment process improved their memory performance.
As per ScienceDaily, the findings remain preliminary and do not prove that glucosamine directly causes Alzheimer’s disease or accelerates dementia. The study combined observational health-record data with laboratory experiments, so researchers say controlled human clinical trials are necessary to establish whether glucosamine contributes to disease progression.
Study Raises Questions About Supplement Use
The researchers said their findings raise important questions about glucosamine use among people with cognitive impairment or dementia. However, the results do not establish that people should stop taking glucosamine.
The study was published in Nature Metabolism and suggests that altered metabolism may play a role in Alzheimer’s progression. Further clinical research will be needed to determine whether the observed association represents a direct effect of glucosamine.