Glucosamine is an amino monosaccharide biosynthesized from glucose and glutamine. Glucosamine is an essential component of and stimulant to the synthesis of proteoglycans, the building blocks of connective tissue and articular cartilage, and as such is an indispensable factor in the building of healthy cartilage. Research demonstrates that glucosamine helps to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and protects against the deterioration of cartilage from chronic joint diseases. The glucosamine used in this supplement is completely vegetarian, produced by the unicellular organism Aspergillus niger.