Glucosamine, Chondroitin Are Effective and Safe, Review by
Researchers
May 7, 2004
Taking oral glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate could be a
safe and effective way of treating knee osteoarthritis, report a team of
Belgian and French researchers.
A major review of randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials
published or performed between January 1980 and March 2002 found that
both supplements had significant effects on joint space narrowing.
The researchers used Medline, Premedline, Embase, Cochrane Database
of Systematic Reviews, Current Contents, BIOSIS Previews, HealthSTAR,
EBM Reviews, manual review of the literature and congressional
abstracts, and direct contact with the authors and manufacturers of
glucosamine and chondroitin to perform the research, published in this
month's Archives of Internal Medicine.
There was a “a highly significant efficacy of glucosamine on all
outcomes”, said the researchers, including the Lequesne Index, Western
Ontario MacMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and tests for
pain, mobility and safety. Safety was "excellent" for both
compounds.
“Our study demonstrates the structural efficacy of glucosamine and
indistinguishable symptomatic efficacies for both compounds,” the
researchers concluded.
**Statements contained herein
have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These
products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent
disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider
before changing any medication.**
