Glucosamine Study Raises Concerns for People With Dementia

A widely used joint supplement may be linked to quicker decline among adults already experiencing memory problems. Researchers examined University of Florida Health records from 2012 through 2024, then studied modified mice and donated human brain tissue. Glucosamine use appeared in 8% of the records for each patient group. Among those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, supplement users had a 25% greater likelihood of later developing dementia. Glucosamine users living with Alzheimer’s or a related condition also had a 25% higher chance of dying within the study’s 10-year window.

The possible explanation involves glycosylation, a cellular activity that adds sugar-based chains to proteins. This activity supports communication between neurons, along with memory and learning. Glucosamine supplies material to that pathway beyond its main control point. In the mouse experiments, greater activity coincided with poorer memory, while reducing it improved performance. Alzheimer’s brain samples also contained more glycosylation than samples without the disease. The authors say the research shows an association, not proof that glucosamine caused either decline or death. A forward-looking clinical trial is their proposed next step.