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Email a friendCan Glucosamine And Chondroitin Help With Knee Pain?
Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A April 10, 2008
Q. You recently suggested that glucosamine and chondroitin are not effective for mild to moderate knee arthritis. Your assessment was sadly incomplete.In the study you cited, you failed to report that patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain did receive substantial benefit from this dietary supplement.
A. You have summarized one of the most curious findings of the GAIT trial (New England Journal of Medicine, Feb. 23, 2006). This large placebo-controlled study found that people with more severe knee pain got modest benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin. Overall, however, the authors concluded that, “the supplements were not shown to be effective.”
A more recent study did not show that glucosamine was better than placebo for mild hip arthritis (Annals of Internal Medicine, Feb. 19, 2008). Some readers find these supplements are helpful, but the research is not encouraging.
Anyone who is interested in more details about glucosamine and chondroitin, MSM, SAMe, acupuncture, and other natural approaches to treating arthritis will find Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy helpful. This book is available in libraries, bookstores and online at this website.
Tags: Acupuncture, Arthritis, Glucosamine And Chondroitin, Knee Pain, MSM, SAMe
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
I used glucosamine/chondroitin in pill form for years and decided it did nothing. Then I started taking Osteo-Pro-Care, which is a liquid calcium, mineral, glucosamine chondroitin mix, available on the intrnet,and I THINK it has helped. I was expecting to have to have a 2nd knee replacement before now, and I am still well enough to put it off. But who knows if this is why?
Posted by: MCG | April 11, 2008 10:54 AM
I used both glucosamine and chondroitin for nearly two years with no relief for very arthritic knees. I had heard so much about it that I just kept trying.
Posted by: DEW | April 11, 2008 12:07 PM
I have been taking glucosamine and chondroitin for 10 years and I won't say the pain and stiffness from Osteoarthritis in my knees is gone but it has definitely stabilized over the years and has not gotten dramatically worse. I think that a sensible program of walking and other low impact exercises as outlined by the American Arthritis Society along with weight loss and glucosamine and chondroitin taken daily, definitely works to relieve the onset of arthritis and the accompanying immobility for most people.
Posted by: RMD | April 11, 2008 12:17 PM
I have no pain in my hands after taking 2000mg of glucosamine for a year. Before I was on Aleve twice a day all the time. I don't think people take glucosamine at a high enough dose or a long enough time to evaluate.
Posted by: JYW | April 11, 2008 10:54 PM
For knee pain my physican put me on Glucosomine Sulfate NOT chondroitin & was emphatic about the one vs.the other. It took a few weeks for it to kick in but really did the job. Then went on a maintenance dose of 500mg/day for quite a while and until I had a probem with my hands. The dosage was upped to 1000mg/day and within the few weeks period it once again did its thing. Works for me!
Posted by: Karen B | April 12, 2008 4:45 PM
At the advice of my respected orthopod, I tried glucosamine/chondroitin. Very mild relief; huge cholesterol increase. Lipitor has handled that; eventually had to have knee replacement (after arthroscopy did not help) and am not taking g/c for other joint aches.
Posted by: mas | April 12, 2008 5:31 PM
i have the gout about twice a year. i thought about taking the glucosamine to help all my aching joints. the warning labels warn against taking the product if you are allergic to shell fish. well is it the allergy reaction or is it the possible purine food theory about not eating shellfish if you have a history of gout.
Posted by: mike | April 13, 2008 12:43 AM
My home companion and I have received substantial benefits from taking glucosomine. We have not tried chondroitin.
Posted by: Delano | April 13, 2008 5:32 PM
I took glucosamine for 3 months for moderate knee pain with no effects. I was told to take it again as it would take 6 months to 1 year before I would notice a difference. I took all kinds of preparations with no benefit until I read about turmeric. I took 3 capsules a day and vitamin C and the pain completely went...
Posted by: sonja | April 14, 2008 4:32 AM
I started taking glucosamine HCI 1500mg w/ MSM 1500mg in June 06 for pain in right ankle. Before this, I received an injected of chorizne every 6 months for the pain. My last injection was 27 Sep 06 & have no pain. I take 2 tablets daily that I buy at Costco for $12.39 for 250 tablets.
Posted by: Doyle | April 24, 2008 1:09 PM