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Q. I’ve always had low cholesterol, but it has been rising for the past few years. First it went from 180 to 233, and then to 363.
I tried to figure out what might be responsible and realized I had started taking glucosamine and chondroitin for sore knee joints in 2005. I thought perhaps that might have triggered the problem.
My doctor is skeptical and he would like me to take Crestor to lower my cholesterol. In the meantime, I have stopped the supplement. My knees hurt again, but soon I will have my cholesterol tested to see if it has come down.
A. Studies have not shown that glucosamine and chondroitin are effective for relieving mild to moderate arthritis pain (Arthritis and Rheumatism, Oct, 2008). Nonetheless, many people take it and report benefit.
No studies have proven that glucosamine raises cholesterol, though many readers do report such an association. The dietary supplement does appear to increase insulin resistance, however, and could make treatment of type 2 diabetes more difficult (American Journal of the Medical Sciences, June, 2007).
My cholesterol level had always been below 165 prior to my taking glucosamine and chondroitin. My HDL was high and my LDL was low. After less than a year of taking the product, my cholesterol level was 200. This despite the fact that I don't eat red meat. I discontinued the product and my level is decreasing.
I find the suggestion that there may be a relation between glucosamine/chondroitin & elevated blood pressure very worth watching further. I have in recent years suffered from labile b.p., & I have been taking g/c. A few years ago my b.p. was excellent. I unfortunately have no record as to the time interrelation, but I'll discontinue the g/c & see if that helps.
Never before taking glucosamine/chondroitin did I have a cholesterol problem. Going off definitely dropped it; but it set me in a pattern where now I have to take a statin to keep it in check; along with careful monitoring of diet and exercise. And I had such pain from arthritis I was not exercising; but after repeated pneumonias and hospitalizations I am in pulmonary rehab and my aches are less with exercise and cholesterol better; without NSAIDS or glucosamine/chondroitin
Glucosamine for me was a definite cholesterol raiser! I was on Zocor and had lipids under control. When I added Glucosamine, it went over 200. On the People's Pharmacy radio show I heard about the connection so stopped taking it. Immediately the readings went down to 183! What more evidence is needed?
My cholestrol was on average of 178. After taking glucosamine & chondronitin my level rose to 235. Which one causes the problem or both I don't know. I've stopped using the combination.
My cholesterol also went up when I started taking glucosamine Chondroitin. I did so at the suggestion of my doctor and a nurse in the emergency room. I had so much pain. It didn't help the pain and I stopped taking it after my cholesterol went up. My cholesterol went down when I discontinued it.
Has anyone had a bad experience with glucosamine and MSN? I was told NOT to take the chondroitin. That might be the culprit!
At the suggestion of my physical therapist, I started taking glucosamine chondroitin in mid-Nov 2008 for arthritic knee pain. Perhaps it's the combination of pt and the drug, but the pain is gone. However, after reading about the potential to raise cholesterol, I plan to have mine checked and see if it is going up.
I have very bad arthritis in one of my knees, and plantar fasciitis in the opposite foot. Some days can be very trying! I tried taking glucosamine/chondroitin, and I started having hot flashes! Since I hadn't had hot flashes for a couple of years, I figured out it was the gl/ch. Sure enough, the hot flashes stopped as soon as I stopped taking gl/ch.
I have since found out about the wonders of red bush tea, and that helps my pain considerably...so much so I no longer have to take industrial strength Motrin. I was up to taking 800 mil in the morning, and another one at bed time. It made me so drowsy; I just hated it.
I had been taking glucosamine and chondroitin for the last 15 years and my cholesterol has been steadily rising. When I read that other people saw a connection I decided to quit taking it, especially when it reached 280 something. I was taking just glucosamine sulfate at that point.
Seven months later my cholesterol was checked and it's down almost 50 points. I'm surprised we don't hear more about this. How many people are taking drugs to lower their cholesterol when all they have to do is stop taking this. There are other things to take for arthritis like turmeric and msm. I feel fine.
My LDL Cholesterol went from 119 to 146 with HDL and Tri stayed the same. Since I am a vegetarian I was puzzled. Was it my two tablespoons a day of Turmeric or the Glucosamine? I know that Turmeric affects the bile and the liver but they say that it is good for reducing LDL, so it must be the Glucosamine.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: MANY OTHER READERS HAVE REPORTED ELEVATIONS IN CHOLESTEROL WHILE TAKING GLUCOSAMINE.
I bet it was the glucosamine and not the chondroitin that caused the rise in cholesterol, but I was taking the combination for about 10 years for arthritis and my cholesterol gradually went up over the years. I was only using Glucosamine Sulfate toward the end but my cholesterol had gone up so high that I was afraid my doctor would really put the pressure on for me to take medication.
I heard some people had a problem with cholesterol while on Glucosamine so I decided to give it up. My cholesterol went down 50 points the next time it was tested. I take Turmeric but I've found my arthritis isn't that big a problem anymore. I have to mention that I've stopped eating processed food and have started counting calories and losing weight.