# Popular Joint Supplement Glucosamine Linked to 25% Higher Alzheimer's Progression Risk

*2026-06-14 14:02 UTC · Science · 1 min read*

> A University of Florida study in Nature Metabolism found glucosamine supplement users face 25% higher risk of Alzheimer's progression and death.

A new study from the University of Florida, published June 9 in Nature Metabolism, has found that glucosamine — a widely used joint pain supplement taken by millions — may significantly accelerate Alzheimer's disease progression. Researchers combined AI analysis of 12 years of electronic health records with post-mortem brain tissue studies and animal models to reach their findings.

Among patients already diagnosed with Alzheimer's, those taking glucosamine were 25% more likely to die within five years than non-users. People with mild cognitive impairment who took glucosamine also showed a 25% higher likelihood of progressing to full Alzheimer's disease. The biological mechanism: glucosamine crosses the blood-brain barrier and hyper-activates a protein sugar-tagging pathway that is already overactive in vulnerable brains.

About 8% of the 4,646 monitored dementia and MCI patients in the study were taking glucosamine supplements, a figure that underscores how widespread the habit is. The lead researcher, Dr. Ramon Sun, stressed the findings are an association — not proof of causality — but called for urgent clinical trials given the supplement's enormous global use.

## Sources

- [neurosciencenews.com](https://neurosciencenews.com/glucosamine-joint-supplement-alzheimers-30853/)
- [sciencedaily.com](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260610003044.htm)
- [usnews.com](https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2026-06-11/popular-joint-pain-supplement-might-increase-alzheimers-risk-study-says)

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TechTools News · https://techtools.cz/tools/news/article/1829-popular-joint-supplement-glucosamine-linked-to-25-higher-alzheimer-s
Česká verze: https://techtools.cz/tools/news/clanek/1902-oblibeny-kloubni-doplnek-glukosamin-spojovan-s-o-25-vyssim-rizikem-rozvoje