Shellfish are a known allergen and glucosamine is derived from shrimp shells. However, people who are allergic to shellfish are actually allergic to the protein troponin, which is found in the muscle (protein) of shrimp. Analyses do not find any protein in the glucosamine hydrochloride used in Mona Vie Active Juice. Glucosamine hydrochloride (GHCl), the form of glucosamine used in Mona Vie Active Juice, is more than 99 percent pure.

Glucosamine hydrochloride is a natural compound found in the body that is used to help make and form cartilage. Glucosamine has also been shown to help lubricate, cushion, protect, and rebuild joints.

If you are allergic to shellfish, consult your doctor before deciding to take glucosamine. In most cases, however, allergies are caused by proteins in shellfish, not chitin, a carbohydrate from which glucosamine is extracted. Furthermore, there is no crossover between the acid derived chitin from shells and the antigens that cause shellfish allergies since the acid process required to leach the chitin from the shell strips away the carbohydrate side chains that would be antigenic.

Most of our glucosamine products and chitosan are sourced from the chitin (hard shell) of crab and other shellfish. It may be best to avoid these products if you have an allergy. We do, however, have a shellfish-free Glucosamine HCl, derived from corn fermentation.

Chitosan, obtained from the exoskeleton of shellfish, is an insoluble fibre. Before processing, the raw exoskeleton is composed of insoluble fibre, protein, and trace elements, such as iodine. During the manufacturing process, chitosan is refined to such an extent that the insoluble fibre is the only significant nutrient remaining. The protein and iodine are removed during the refinement process.

Full Motion utilizes glucosamine hydrochloride instead of sulfate for several important reasons. First, the sulfate form carries a high allergic potential for the many individuals allergic to sulfites. Second, glucosamine hydrochloride is more concentrated, thus the tablets can be smaller and easier to swallow. The hydrochloride form is also easier on the digestive tract.

It is unlikely that you would have any reaction; however it is always advisable to consult your primary care physician.

The allergen with shellfish is a protein and not iodine. The potassium iodide in our formulations is the same type of iodine that is added to Morton salt. Iodine is required for the body's synthesis of thyroid hormones, which control the body's metabolism. Sulfites are salts of sulfurous acid and are used as preservatives in certain foods such as wines and some "shelf products" to prevent spoilage.

If you're allergic to shellfish, you should not take CetylMax™ tablets, as they contain Glucosamine, an ingredient derived from shellfish. However, there is no Glucosamine found in the topical analgesic cream formula. See our CFA Clinical Studies link to the left. CFA has been carefully studied, and that clinical research has been published publicly in such places as The Journal of Rheumatology (August 2003) and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2005).

Allergies are normally a reaction to the proteins in shellfish. Full Motion glucosamine is derived from the shell and is so pharmaceutically pure that there should be no problem with allergic reactions.

Free and Easy for Dogs uses neither. The sulfate or HCL is simply a carrier molecule for the actual glucosamine. One study showed the actual glucosamine in glucosamine sulphate to be 63% and for HCL it was 83%. Free and Easy is extracted using water resulting in a more pure form of glucosamine, which is one of the reasons why it is so effective. Also, a potential problem of glucosamine sulphate is that some dogs and humans are allergic to the sulpha.

R. No allergic reactions to glucosamine sulfate has been reported. However, to be cautious, people allergic to sulfa drugs had better take glucosamine hydrochloryde.

For those with a sensitive/allergy to Chitosan we offer several patches that do NOT contain Chitosan:

Shellfish enhancement is a management tool used by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to increase opportunities for recreational harvest on certain public beaches by adding to the clam and oyster resource which occurs naturally. Our enhancement technique is to routinely "seed" suitable beaches with juvenile clam and oysters.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture has been given the responsibility to regulate the processing of all edible species of oysters, clams and mussels, either shucked or in the shell, fresh or frozen. Also, the Division is responsible for regulating whole or roe-on scallops intended for sale for human consumption either shucked or in the shell, fresh or frozen.

No, the amount of radiation you receive is very low, and all efforts are made to reduce the exposure.