N-acetylglucosamine

N-Acetylglucosamine (NAG) is a natural amino sugar that is widely distributed in the body and plays important roles as glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans. In nature, NAG is abundant in the exoskeletons of crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters, which are composed of chitin, a polysaccharide. YSK was the first company to successfully produce NAG by a chemical synthesis-free method, making it available for use in various food products.

NAG is a white crystalline powder with a high-quality sweetness similar to sugar, and it has excellent water solubility and stability. As such, it can be used not only in tablets, capsules and soft/hard gelatin capsules, but also in a wide range of foods and even cosmetics.

Many reports have shown that NAG promotes the production of glycosaminoglycans, which are involved in suppressing inflammation in joints and skin dryness. Glycosaminoglycans are widely distributed in skin and synovial fluid and play multiple roles, but they decrease with age. NAG is considered an essential component for anti-aging in aging.