Q. My total cholesterol rose significantly while I took glucosamine and chondroitin to relieve arthritis of the knees. I took it from May, 2005 to May, 2007.
I have always had a healthy, low-fat diet so I was surprised at the increase. In 2003 my cholesterol was 159. In April 2007 it was 273. Six months later it had dropped back to 233 after I stopped the supplement. Do you think there is a connection?
A. Several small studies have not shown any association between glucosamine and chondroitin and elevations in cholesterol. We have heard from many readers like you who noticed an increase while taking such supplements, however.
