Mushrooms as Emerging Alternatives for Glucosamine Supply: A Comprehensive Review

Glucosamine is a molecule of choice to reduce the pain and symptoms related to osteoarthritis. Glucosamine appears to show less adverse effects and it seems to be well tolerated molecule. Common adverse effects may include mild gastrointestinal disturbance, headache, drowsiness, and insomnia and skin reactions. Glucosamine in the form of supplement is obtained from shellfish or produced synthetically. As the treatment is prolonging for cartilage regeneration, it may lead to some complications with people having additional health issues like diabetes or hypertension. Mushrooms which are a common ingredient in diet possess chitin and chitosan present in it, which in turn can be useful to obtain glucosamine. Hence mushrooms can be a source to obtain glucosamine and also, taken in regular diet, mushrooms can exhibit cartilage regeneration effect avoiding future consequences.