Q. I read a letter in your column from a person whose cholesterol went from 180 to over 300 after taking glucosamine and chondroitin for sore knees. I think it is not the glucosamine, but the chondroitin that raises cholesterol.
I have been taking glucosamine alone for five years and it works for me. I also take a handful of walnuts and drink a glass of pomegranate juice every day. My cholesterol went from 254 to 184 without drugs!
A. We have no research to verify that glucosamine and chondroitin independently or together raise cholesterol. We appreciate your suggestion, however. Not everyone gets relief from arthritis with these dietary supplements. Research suggests that neither is very effective for mild to moderate pain.
We are delighted to learn that you have been able to lower your cholesterol successfully without drugs. In our new Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health we offer many other non-drug suggestions and discuss the pros and cons of most medications.
