Study says glucosamine no arthritis help

	Tweet

Glucosamine, a popular food supplement used by arthritis sufferers to prevent painful flare-ups, has no long-term benefit, Canadian researchers said on Wednesday.

The University of British Columbia researchers found that 45 percent of glucosamine users still suffered arthritis attacks during a six-month period, compared with only 42 percent who were given a placebo.

"Our study shows that even if the supplement was initially perceived by study participants to be helpful, it has no benefit for maintenance, and continued use is not effective to control flare-ups,” said lead researcher Jolanda Cibere.

The researchers studied 137 patients in four Canadian cities who had been using glucosamine for an average of two years and had credited it for at least a moderate improvement in their condition.

Glucosamine is derived from shellfish and is sold under several brand names as a health food supplement.

Cibere said some of the patients told her they planned to keep using the supplement even after hearing the results of the study, which was conducted in conjunction with the Arthritis Research Center in Vancouver.

“Some said, yes, they did stop it and felt no difference. Others said they did not want to stop and they truly believed in it regardless of the results,” she said.

RELATED STORIES:
Exercise after arthritis hospital stay cuts costs   UC Davis scientists find link between arthritis pain reliever and cardiovascular events   New clues to healing arthritis caused by traumatic injury   Anakinra useful for severe type of spinal arthritis   If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis and You Smoke, Listen Up   Vitamin C rich diet may cut arthritis risk   Remicade doesn’t change cholesterol ratio   New Pathway Involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis Identified   Heat-holding knee sleeve may ease arthritis pain   Exercise programs recommended as standard for rheumatoid arthritis   Abnormal Pap smears common in women with lupus   Physiotherapy good for spinal arthritis

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]