NAG Dietary Supplement, 90 Caps: Evolved Form of N-Acetyl Glucosamine

Glucosamine is an amino-monosaccharide produced endogenously in humans and animals from glucose and glutamine which is then converted into N-acetylglucosamine.

First used clinically by German doctors in 1969, it is very popular in Europe, and has in recent years also attracted considerable interest in the Americas and Asia. Unfortunately, its growing popularity has meant that the quality of supplements has fallen significantly over the last 10 years.

Where is glucosamine found in the diet? There are actually no foods that contain glucosamine.

Where does N-acetyl-glucosamine come from? How is it produced?

The ingredient in our supplement is naturally extracted from the chitin of marine invertebrates (the shells of shrimps, lobsters, crabs, etc). It’s an organic material with amazing physical and chemical properties.

Enzymes are then used to hydrolyse (break down) the molecule into several pieces. Many organisms contain these chitinase enzymes (1) which are involved in a range of physiological and pathological functions (2). Once these enzymes have completely digested the chitin molecule, we get N-acetyl-glucosamine (3).

What are glucosamine’s mechanisms of action?

Its mechanisms of action are being investigated: hundreds of scientific studies are published every year but because of current European regulations, we cannot cite any of them.

Almost 90% of glucosamine taken orally is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Glucosamine is well-known for easily crossing the body’s biological barriers, except in the stomach where its polar form prevents it from passing through cell membranes.

Following first-pass metabolism in the liver, it is distributed to various biological structures in the body. The metabolised portion is thus found in carbon dioxide in exhaled air.

Frequently-asked questions

Which supplements can be combined with N-acetyl-glucosamine?

Glucosamine combines perfectly with chondroitin.

Does the production of N-acetyl-glucosamine harm the environment?

Glucosamine production from crustacean chitin enables the use of fisheryco-products with highly-nutritious molecules. Such use is consistent with the Common Fisheries Policy which aims to reduce the amount of fish thrown back into the sea and ensure responsible and sustainable fishing.

What’s more, NAG produced by chemical methods produces chemical waste which is not at all environmentally-friendly.

What dose should you take?

N-acetyl-glucosamine has been used as a nutritional supplement for many decades and remains very popular.

The majority of studies confirm the efficacy or safety of a 500mg dose taken three times a day. This can either be taken as a single dose or spread across three doses, one 500mg capsule with each meal).

At these doses, it is completely safe. Above 3000mg of glucosamine, saturation of the absorption process has been observed.

Notes

This product should not be used to replace a varied, balanced diet or healthy lifestyle. Follow the advice on use, the recommended daily dose and the use-by date. Not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for children under 15. Keep out of young children’s reach. Store in a cool, dry place.

1. Gooday GW. The Ecology of Chitin Degradation. Adv. Microb. Ecol. 1990;11:387–430.
2. Gooday BW. Biosynthesis of the Fungal Wall—Mechanisms and Implications. The First Fleming Lecture. J. Gen. Microbiol. 1977;99:1–11.
3. Lee EA, Pan CH, Son JM, Kim SI. Isolation and Characterization of Basic Exochitinase from Leaf Extract of Rehmannia glutinosa. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 1999;63:1781–1783.