6 N-Acetylglucosamine (NAG) Benefits
6 N-Acetylglucosamine (NAG) Benefits
What is N-Acetylglucosamine?
N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG or GlcNAc) is an amino sugar derived from glucosamine. They both build chitin, the skeleton of shellfish (lobsters, shrimp, crabs)
N-acetyl-glucosamine is a part of complex glycosaminoglycans, found in the cell walls of fungi and bacteria. They impregnate our skin, joints, gut lining, and connective tissue. A popular member of this family of compounds is hyaluronic acid
Uses & Benefits of N-Acetylglucosamine
Preliminary research on NAG is promising, but the available clinical evidence is limited. The following studies should encourage further investigation before we make any definite conclusions and recommendations. Remember to speak with a doctor before taking NAG supplements. They can not replace medical treatment for any health condition.
How It Works
Glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) act as the building blocks of large elastic molecules that support connective tissues
As mentioned, they build glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, giving strength and elasticity to our skin, joints, nerves, and gut surface NAG polymers (long chains) suppress inflammation in the body. In theory, this effect could help with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
N-acetylglucosamine may prevent the burst of free radicals from the immune cells and thus protect against oxidative stress [
1) May Help With Joint Disorders
Glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) build complex elastic molecules in the cartilage that lubricate the joints and enable smooth movement. These nutrients may enhance cartilage recovery and repair the joints
Although the majority of research in this field has focused on glucosamine, NAG has also shown potential benefits for different joint disorders.
Osteoarthritis
In osteoarthritis, cartilage thinning in large joints causes pain and restricts movement. Painkillers can ease the symptoms, but they don’t impact disease progression
A combination of N-acetylglucosamine and chondroitin reduced pain and enhanced knee function in 50 people with knee osteoarthritis (12+ weeks of treatment)
In rabbits with knee osteoarthritis, joint injections of N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG)
- Stopped cartilage destruction
- Boosted collagen production
- Relieved joint inflammation
NAG showed better results than hyaluronic acid.
Joint Recovery
In a study on 68 volunteers, N-acetylglucosamine (500-1000 mg daily for 4 months) strengthened the cartilage by inhibiting collagen degradation
Joint injections with NAG and hyaluronic acid improved tendon and bone healing in rabbits with knee injuries. NAG extracted from algae showed similar effects in rats when applied directly to their injured tendons
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which joint inflammation causes pain and stiffness
In mice with rheumatoid arthritis, both glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine relieved inflammation and improved joint function
2) Inflammatory Bowel Disease
In a clinical trial with 34 IBD patients, N-acetylglucosamine (6 g daily for 4 weeks) improved symptoms such as pain, diarrhea, and bleeding in most cases (88%)
N-acetylglucosamine showed promising effects in children with severe drug-resistant IBD.
In one study, 8 out of 12 children with IBD who received NAG orally (3-6 g a day) experienced notable improvement. Rectal application of NAG relieved the symptoms in 5 out of 9 children while all of them showed the signs of gut healing
The above IBD clinical trials had small samples and lacked placebo controls. They indicate positive clinical experience with NAG but don’t allow for definite conclusions.
A study on gut tissue of IBD patients showed that NAG builds the layer of mucus in the bowels and combats inflammation. The gut of IBD patients failed to transform glucosamine into NAG and thus lacked this protective effect
This may explain why NAG was able to silence the autoimmune response in the gut samples of IBD patients
Animal studies voice these potential benefits. In mice with IBD, N-acetylglucosamine prevented disease progression and reduced gut inflammation
3) Multiple Sclerosis
In multiple sclerosis (MS), progressive nerve damage causes an array of physical and cognitive impairments. Once again, we have autoimmune inflammation lurking as one of the culprits
N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) suppressed the Th1 and Th17 autoimmune responses in mice with MS. It worked by blocking nerve inflammation (lowering IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-17, IL-22) and autoimmune nerve destruction
Another study on mice confirmed that the lack of NAG polymers might strip the nerve-protecting sheath, myelin, and trigger multiple sclerosis
In test tubes, glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine protected brain cells against oxidative damage and death, which may be useful in nerve-damaging diseases such as MS
4) Bleeding Control and Wound Healing
Polymers of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) stimulate blood clotting, and they are being researched for different wound-healing patches and bandages
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In a clinical trial of 20 patients, NAG nanofibers significantly improved wound healing when added to standard treatment
Units of glucosamine and NAG build chitosan, a material with potent wound-healing properties. NAG polymers have shown even better results in test tubes
In mice, NAG nano-fibers promoted wound healing and lowered the risk of infections and bleeding complications. They were particularly effective against diabetic wounds
Hemophilia is a genetic disorder in which a person lacks specific proteins that enable blood clotting. Scientists are developing cures to prevent severe bleeding in hemophilia patients
In the blood samples of dogs with hemophilia, NAG polymers enhanced blood clotting in combination with standard treatment
