 Glucosamine is a carbohydrate, or complex sugar, that the body makes from sugar in foods. The body uses the substance to form cartilage, the protective tissue in joints. Glucosamine supplement, which is made from the shells of crabs and other shellfish, is said to decrease joint pain and improve joint movement among people with osteoarthritis. Several clinical studies have reported that glucosamine works better than a placebo (sugar pill) in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis. A recent study found that glucosamine may slow the progression of osteoarthritis. People who used glucosamine regularly for 1 to 3 years had little to no additional joint damage as compared to those people taking placebo (an inactive treatment). Glucosamine also reduced the pain and physical limitations caused by osteoarthritis. However, glucosamine did not seem to improve joint stiffness. Two research reports comparing glucosamine to the pain reliever ibuprofen (brand names Advil, Motrin) found that glucosamine taken for eight weeks reduces pain and increases joint movement as well as ibuprofen does. Other trials have not shown positive results. The usual dose of glucosamine is 500mg three times a day. It's important to remember that glucosamine doesn't work for everyone. If you don't notice an improvement in your symptoms after 8 weeks, it is unlikely that glucosamine will work for you. Glucosamine isn't intended to replace prescription medications or your doctor’s medical directions. If you do choose to take glucosamine, please let your doctor and pharmacist know. Sources:
Deal, CL. “Nutraceuticals as Therapeutic Agents in Osteoarthritis. The Role of Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Collagen Hydrolysate,” Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America 25(2), 1999.
Davis, W.M. "The Role of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in the Management of Arthritis," Drug Topics Supplement (1998).
Lopes, V.A. "Double-blind Clinical Evaluation of the Relative Efficacy of Ibuprofen and Glucosamine Sulphate in the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee in Out-Patients," Current Medical Research and Opinion 8 (1982).
Qiu, G.X. "Efficacy and Safety of Glucosamine Sulfate Versus Ibuprofen in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis," Arzneimittelforschung 48 (1998).
Silverman, H.M., J.A. Romano, G. Elmer. The Vitamin Book. Bantam Books, 1999.
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Pharmacists Letter Inc., 2000.
McAlindon, TE. “Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Treatment of Osteoarthritis: a Systematic Quality Assessment and Meta-Analysis,” Journal of the American Medical Association, 283(11) 2000.
Reginster, JY. “Long-term Effects of Glucosamine Sulphate on Osteoarthritis Progression: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” Lancet (357) 2001.
This answer prepared 4/13/01.
|
view shopping bag
