Glucosamine and chondroitin: Do they help?
Two popular supplements for the relief of arthritic pain, glucosamine and chondroitin, have been wildly successful at making money for the companies that sell them. Unfortunately, a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine found the supplements provided the same level of relief for patients with aching knees as the experiments' dummy pills: none.
Millions of arthritis sufferers use the supplements. Last year, glucosamine and chondroitin accounted for $1.7 billion in worldwide sales. Many people swear by them. We doubt the study will change many minds.
Have they worked for you, your friends or family members?
Millions of arthritis sufferers use the supplements. Last year, glucosamine and chondroitin accounted for $1.7 billion in worldwide sales. Many people swear by them. We doubt the study will change many minds.
Have they worked for you, your friends or family members?
posted by Randy Bergmann at 11:14 AM
2 Comments:
The claim that glucosamine works to rebuild cartilage impressed me and I tried a combination of it with chondroitin. I saw some dramatic improvement. I have suffered greatly for the last few years with osteo arthritis and tried many different medicines and therapies. I learned that I did not necessarily need the chondroitin portion so I now take 1,000 mg. of glucosamine daily and feel relief.
My father is 66 years old and has suffered with knee problems for many years. He is taking a G&C formulation and it has given him some relief. About a year ago I started to notice pain and stiffness in my knees and in December I also started taking it. It has nearly eliminated my symptoms. I don't think the result is a "placebo effect".
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