Can Diabetic Patients take Glucosamine?

Since I have jogging pretty regularly, I think I need to have some form of "protection" for my knees. Some of my friends who had been regular runners are not running anymore. Reason is because of their knees or rather, leg giving them problems. Some of my friends were also telling me that by taking Glucosamine, it can actually "protect" your knee and reduce the pain if you ever feel it. I never had this thought before but recently, had been feeling a little bit of pain on my knees when I exercise. I was wondering is this the sign telling me that I need to take care of my knees and take Glucosamine?

Since I am diabetic, I cannot take any medication without doing the right homework. Furthermore, I am sensitive to the word: "Gluco..." Hence, decided to check it out in the website......and this is what I found from the website:

There is some evidence suggesting that glucosamine, in doses used to treat osteoarthritis, may worsen blood sugar, insulin, and/or hemoglobin A1c (a test that measures how well blood sugar has been controlled during the previous three months) levels in people with diabetes or insulin resistance.

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Glucosamine.htm

Here is another report which says that:

Insulin levels with Glucosamine (HCL or Sulfate) can be subject to fluctuations, particularly in diabetics. Glucosamine is technically a carbohydrate (a sugar), but the body is not able to convert Glucosamine into Glucose. Hence, Glucosamine does not directly provide additional sources of Glucose. In diabetic patients, many factors can lead to changing blood levels and as a result it is very important to check with your doctor prior to initiating Glucosamine therapy and to be sure to be very careful about monitoring your blood sugar levels while on Glucosamine. Read the latest update on Glucosamine for Diabetics.

Another site that says Glucosamine safe for Diabetes: http://www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/759/

At this moment, I think I better be careful with this. Maybe for a start, I should start drinking milk to build calcium.