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Q. I've lost the source of research I read indicating some people experience elevated cholesterol from using glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis. Were you the source of this information, or do you know of the study?
Months ago my doctor said my cholesterol was way too high. She wanted me to take drugs for it. Instead I quit taking the supplements. All my cholesterol counts improved greatly. I also ate more oatmeal and started on Levothroid.
I now want to resume the glucosamine protocol and see if my cholesterol goes back up. Before I do, I’d like to know about the study I mentioned.
A. Readers of this column first began reporting in 1998 that their cholesterol levels rose while they were taking glucosamine and chondroitin. Levels fell when they stopped the arthritis supplements.
There is little research on this topic. In 2004, Danish regulators reported a handful of similar cases. Although a placebo-controlled trial did not verify such a connection, some people may be susceptible.
Oatmeal and thyroid hormone (Levothroid) can also help bring cholesterol down. If you monitor your cholesterol carefully you will be able to tell whether resuming your supplements raises your lipid levels.
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Years ago, People's Pharmacy reported there is an enzyme in pineapple juice that helps with arthritis pain. At that time I was in my early 40's and already having pain in my hands and feet from arthritis. I started drinking one glass of pineapple juice a day and my symptoms have cleared up. I may eventually develop arthritis but hopefully it will not be as severe. Also, I like the fact Dole pineapple juice is all juice; no concentrate.
I'm interested in the relationship between high cholesterol and glucosamine and condroitin. I wonder if it is the glucosamine, condroitin or a combination of both that increases the cholesterol. I take glucosamine sulfate and have high cholesterol which is controlled with Lipitor. I'd like to be able to drop the Lipitor and wonder if dropping the supplement will help lower my cholesterol.
I've had high cholesterol for many years from heredity and renal disease. I tried statins but developed horrific muscle cramps. I managed to get my cholesterol down to 243 from 325 through exercise, diet, and Policosanol. I've since developed arthritis in my hands for which the rheumatologist prescribed Plaquenil. I had to stop it due to painful headaches. He suggested Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin so I started taking that. Within 4 months my cholesterol has shot up to 305! I've discontinued that now too and am back on the hunt for something that will lower my cholesterol without side effects.
Last spring changed diet to lose weight--read all the labels: low fat, low meat, lots veggies etc. Walked a LOT. Knee begang hurting late summer so started taking glucosamine & chrondoitin for pain (helped some). I lost #35 and 4 pant sizes -- BUT I must have done something terribly wrong - cholesterol went from 215(LDL 134) on8/7/07 to 276 (LDL 191) on 10/17/07.
Since reading 'hi-lite' p. 97 "Best Choices-Peoples Pharmacy" and online news letter of 8/28/07, think I will stop taking glucosamine & chrondoitin and see if that along with stricter diet (no prescribed meds yet) makes a difference by my next test in Jan/08.
I have always had remarkably good cholesterol levels. I began taking Glucosamine to ease neck aches. I got results from my MD who said my cholesterol levels are high. She does not believe in the connection. I stopped taking glucosamine immediately and will see if this results in a change. I wonder how soon I should have the blood tests done again? I will let you know if my levels drop.
I have had low cholesterol all my life until I started to take the arthritis supplement on a doctors advice. Now my cholesterol level is high and I had a reaction to the meds prescribed to lower it. Now it can stay high as I need the supplement more than the expensive medicine which causes muscle problems.
I have never had any cholesterol issues. I started taking Gluc/Cond for arthritis and after 6-8 months had Blood tests to check my cholesterol and it was elevated for the first time. (235 total) Stopped taking the Gluc/cond for about 6 months and my next result was lower again.
Did not take any Gluc/cond for the next 6 months and cholesterol was still good. I decided to try it again and took the gluc/cond for about 6-8 months. Then had bw done again and once again my cholesterol was now 265! and Ldl was also high a 160. So I stopped it and 3 months later checked again and I was already down to 230 and 3 months later I was at 210! I believe it truly raises my cholesterol and my diet is constant and my weight also remains the same.