Glucosamine hydrochloride delivers glucosamine, a building block your body uses to make cartilage. People take it to keep their joints moving comfortably as they get older.
You typically take it with food, which helps your stomach handle it better and boosts absorption. Many formulas pair it with chondroitin or other ingredients meant for joints.
Because manufacturers often extract it from shellfish shells, anyone with a shellfish allergy should verify the source first. Watch your blood sugar numbers if you monitor them, and talk to a doctor if you take a blood thinner. The supplement can interfere with both.