Amino acid glucose tablets, formally known as glucosamine, are available in two types: glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate. Its role is not that of a calcium tablet for osteoporosis, but that of nourishing joint cartilage. Glucosamine plays an important function in the metabolism of joint cartilage. In degenerative arthritis, where there is damage to the cartilage, supplementation with glucosamine can nourish joint cartilage and improve the symptoms of pain and joint weakness that occur in arthritis, but it has no effect on the treatment of osteoporosis and is not a calcium tablet.