Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements - Exposed

Glucosamine and chondroitin, you see these supplements everywhere in the United States.
Drug stores, nutrition centers, GNC's...heck, even the local 7 - 11 and other convienence stores carry them.

And millions of people around the world take either Glucosamine or both Gluco and Chon for osteoarthritis and other join pain. Many people swear by them, but do they actually work?

History:
Glucosamine really got its big start in Europe in the 1960's. It was touted as an all natural supplement that could help catilidge repair itself. In the 1990's, a book was published called "The Arthritis Cure", by Jason Theodosakis. It had a viral effect on glucosamine sales, because it touted glucosamine as the next big, possible natural cure for arthritis. Sales took off through the roof. It is now the top selling natural supplement in the United States each year. It is often combined with Chondroitin, because they two are believed to work hand-in-hand in the body to help rebuild cartilage.

But the BIG question is...do glucosamine and chondroitin supplements actually work? I mean, do they actually stop arthritis pain...and can they...really...possibly...CURE ARTHRITIS?

The Real Deal:

Unfortunatly, there is no easy answer for this... it seems for every study that supports glucosamine and chondroitin, there is a study that negates their usefulness.

However, the most comprehensive study was recently organized by the University of Utah, and the findings are the closest thing we have to an "right" answer.

This study was conducted for 6 months, was placebo controlled, double blind, and encompassed 1,583 people with osteoarthritis of the knee. 16 research centers were involved, and it was supported by several major medical organizations, including the national institutes of health. In other words...this was a MAJOR study.

Out of 5 testing groups, here are the results:

Placebo - 6 months, no appreciable or noticable effect on pain, mobility, or catilidge regrowth or any other tissue changes

Celecoxib (phamaceutical drug for arthritis) - 70 percent experienced a drop in pain, this is 10% more than the placebo

Glucosamine alone - no appreciable or noticable effect on pain, mobility, or catilidge regrowth or any other tissue changes

Glucosamine and chondroitin - For those with moderate to severe pain, 79% experienced improvement, compared to 54% of the placebo group. Those with mild arthritis pain noticed no statistical difference when compared to a placebo. However, the "moderate to severe" pain group was small...only 300 people, so this should be looked at as a preliminary study - according to the University of Utah Med School.

This is probably why there are so many rumors about glucosamine. It works for some...even better than prescription drugs, but for others not at all..and so on.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements Exposed:
Ok... so it looks like Glucosamine acnd chondroitin may provide some very real benefits to people with moderate to severe arthritis, and therefore it MAY provide some relief to those suffering from mild arthritis, but there just isn't enough proof to say for sure. For now, if you have moderate to severe arthritis, it may be wise to talk to a doctor and start taking a glucosamine and chondroitin product. There just isn't enough proof that these two used together for us to make a blanket recommendation however.

Dosage:
For those curious, here were the dosage that the study used. These are NOT my recommendations, only a doctor should recommend any treatment. Just information for those curious as to what the people involved in the study took:

• Glucosamine alone: 1500 mg daily given as 500 mg three times a day
• Chondroitin sulfate alone: 1200 mg daily given as 400 mg three times a day
• Glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate combined: same doses-1500 mg and 1200 mg daily
• Celecoxib: 200 mg daily

 

For more herbs and home remedies to stop pain, click here: home remedy for arthritis