Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Glucosamine and chondroitin 'are ineffective but harmless'
UK Net Guide ^ | 9/17/10 | Tim Lesnik

Posted on 09/17/2010 8:59:51 AM PDT by dangerdoc

New research suggests that glucosamine and chondroitin, two supplements regularly prescribed to help patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis manage joint pain, produce "no clinically relevant effect".

The number of prescriptions issued for glucosamine and chondroitin has increased rapidly over the last ten years, with the treatments also available over the counter.

However, studies on the efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin have produced mixed results, prompting Professor Peter Juni and a team of researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland to launch their own investigation.

After looking at ten previously-published trials, Professor Juni and the team concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin, whether taken independently or together, had no bearing on joint pain or on joint space narrowing.

"Compared with placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin and their combination do not reduce joint pain or have an impact on narrowing of joint space," the authors wrote.

"Health authorities and health insurers should be discouraged from funding glucosamine and chondroitin treatment."

However, a spokesperson for Arthritis Research UK noted that Professor Juni also found glucosamine and chondroitin to be safe and had no issue with patients taking the supplements as long as they paid for them themselves.

"Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most popular health supplements for osteoarthritis and two of the most commonly investigated," the spokesperson commented.

"Many trials have been done over the years but with mixed results. Some trials, but not all, have shown worthwhile improvements in pain. These compounds are also safe. NICE makes it clear in their guidelines on osteoarthritis that while they don't feel there's enough evidence to warrant the NHS paying for the supplements, some people may want to consider an over-the-counter trial as part of a wider self-management plan which includes exercise and keeping to an ideal weight, and we would support that view." 17 September 2010, 15:07


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: chondroitin; glucosamine; health; joints; osteoarthritis; supplements
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-31 next last
I tried it and it didn't help, I thought it was just me.
1 posted on 09/17/2010 8:59:53 AM PDT by dangerdoc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

I think eating the carlidge off the ends of chicken bones does more good. I always eat the gristle.


2 posted on 09/17/2010 9:02:09 AM PDT by GraceG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

It might just be you. Not all things work the same for all people.


3 posted on 09/17/2010 9:03:14 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc
Glucosamine and chondroitin 'are ineffective but harmless'
There's a lot to be said for the placebo effect.
4 posted on 09/17/2010 9:05:28 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

Used it for years as has my wife and a number of people we know. It works. Like a lot of treatments, unfortunately it doesn’t work for everyone, nor does it work to the same degree for those it does help.

I also know a doctor that does research into supplements and his opinion is that it has benefits.

Magic bullet? No. Nothing is.


5 posted on 09/17/2010 9:06:16 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s, you weren't really there.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

I would submit that dogs are immune to any placebo effect.

I had a friend who owned a Rottweiler that developed a painful case of hip dysplasia. It was only 2 years old and would barely move due to the discomfort. A course of glucosamine and it was running free.


6 posted on 09/17/2010 9:06:20 AM PDT by relictele (Me lumen vos umbra regit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

I think it’s highly dependent on the status of the joint at the time treatment is started — I think if it’s just beginning, they might help, but once it progressed beyond a certain point, they don’t.

I would like to know what was the initial deterioration of the people they followed in the trials.

I have heard from people who have had very positive experiences with these supplements.


7 posted on 09/17/2010 9:06:32 AM PDT by SmartInsight (Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote. ~ G. J. Nathan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

I’ve been dosing for around a year because of creaky shoulder probs.....about ready to drop it. Nothing different noticed.


8 posted on 09/17/2010 9:07:35 AM PDT by ErnBatavia (It's not the Obama Administration....it's the "Obama Regime".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

I do not use it or (thankfully) need it at this point, but our dog, who is a family protector and now 10 years old, is given this on a daily basis. She was having trouble with her joints and getting up. Within a week of giving her the recommended three doses a day, she was jumping up and running around like she was 3 again! We also recommended this supplement to friends of our who’s dog is a ripe old 15, and she has a lot more freedom of movement and doing great.

I know it is all anecdotal, but it has worked for us.


9 posted on 09/17/2010 9:08:07 AM PDT by Mr. Jazzy ("I AM JIM THOMPSON and moderates make me PUKE!!!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: relictele
Agreed, there are tons and tons of examples of pharmaceutical companies putting forth fraudulent studies to get thier drugs approved. They think nothing of paying for studies with designated outcomes trying to persuade America that natural supplements don't work. However, all you have to do is look at the massive effort they are undertaking to get natural supplements entirely banned to realize they know that in fact, they do work, and present a clear danger to their bottom line.
10 posted on 09/17/2010 9:10:03 AM PDT by Scythian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: relictele

I give the stuff to my big lab every day and have for years. He never says anything about it one way or the other.


11 posted on 09/17/2010 9:10:08 AM PDT by altura
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: relictele

My Rottweiler had bad hip pain. Glucosamine condroitin worked like magic. Also, my Dad had knee pain. He said the stuff worked great.


12 posted on 09/17/2010 9:10:08 AM PDT by loungitude ( The truth hurts.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: relictele

My lab is on Caniflex which contains Glucosamine among other things. She was limping and so stiff in her hips she had trouble sitting down. Big improvement since she started taking this liquid on her food. Just saying...


13 posted on 09/17/2010 9:15:16 AM PDT by dblshot (Insanity - electing the same people over and over and expecting different results.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

It does work. I take Celebrex in the a.m. and was having pain at night, so much so that I couldn’t sleep on either of my hips. I was taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin in the a.m. but not twice a day as recommended. After checking the dosage, I discovered I had to take it twice day. My pain level has decreased demonstrably. I no longer have to take pain killers to get through the day.


14 posted on 09/17/2010 9:18:06 AM PDT by mia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ChildOfThe60s

Do you have to keep taking it? Or, can you stop after awhile?


15 posted on 09/17/2010 9:19:22 AM PDT by raybbr (Someone who invades another country is NOT an immigrant - illegal or otherwise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: oh8eleven

LOL. I know someone who swore by them. I have to find their email and send them this article. I guess, ironically, it did work for my friend even if it has no real effect. “Placebo Effect” indeed.


16 posted on 09/17/2010 9:22:34 AM PDT by Opinionated Blowhard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: relictele

Never worked for arthritic hips but it helped a Lab I had.


17 posted on 09/17/2010 9:31:56 AM PDT by goseminoles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ChildOfThe60s

Might try adding Collagen, after all that is the key thing that gets depleted in joints. I use the glucosamine and chondroitin and didn’t get as much relief as I had hoped, but when I added 2 Collagen tablets daily within a few weeks noticed the difference in the knuckles of my right hand, where the OA is the worse. Daily pain is less, unless I really over do it.


18 posted on 09/17/2010 9:35:22 AM PDT by GailA (obamacare paid for by cuts & taxes on most vulnerable Veterans, retired Military, disabled & Seniors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Opinionated Blowhard
I've never used glucosamine and chondroitin, but I have used other dietary supplements which have also been "proven" not to work. The alternative was a prescription drug with a number of side effects.
The supplements worked for me with no side effects and when my doctor claimed it was probably just a placebo effect, I asked him what's the difference if they work? No reply.
19 posted on 09/17/2010 9:35:24 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc

I wrecked my knee and following surgery I was barely able to walk without a cane.Since using Osteo BiFlex that contains those two ingredients I am not only able to walk but I can walk painlessly.

I won’t be running any marathons but as long as I’m able to work I can delay knee replacement surgery.


20 posted on 09/17/2010 9:37:46 AM PDT by puppypusher (The World is going to the dogs.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-31 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson