Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
14:40
Long-term Lethal Toxicity Test with the Crustacean Artemia franciscana
Published on: April 14, 2012
Do shrimp-allergic individuals tolerate shrimp-derived glucosamine?
J Villacis1, T R Rice, L R Bucci
1Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Department of Clinical Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Summary
Shrimp-allergic individuals can safely consume glucosamine supplements. Studies show that therapeutic doses of glucosamine, whether synthetically produced or derived from shrimp, do not trigger allergic reactions in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Food allergy research
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Shrimp shells are a primary source of glucosamine.
- Concerns exist regarding potential allergic reactions in shrimp-allergic individuals to glucosamine products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the tolerance of therapeutic glucosamine doses in shrimp-allergic individuals.
- To determine if glucosamine supplements pose a risk to those with shrimp allergies.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of subjects with a confirmed history of shrimp allergy.
- Skin prick tests and ImmunoCAP assays for shrimp-specific IgE.
- Double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) with glucosamine-chondroitin tablets (shrimp-derived and synthetic).
Main Results:
- All participants tolerated 1,500 mg of both shrimp-derived and synthetic glucosamine.
- No immediate hypersensitivity reactions were observed.
- No delayed reactions or symptoms were reported up to 24 hours post-challenge.
Conclusions:
- Glucosamine supplements from tested manufacturers do not contain clinically significant levels of shrimp allergen.
- These supplements appear safe for individuals with shrimp allergies.
