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A large (1200+ subject) study by NIH was far from positive. They determined that subjects who took glucosamine + condroitin for 6weeks for OA knee pain had no better results than those taking placebo. But, the study noted that there was a small group that did benefit, which could be worthy of further research.
Another study of longer-term use is in progress, of the effects of 2yrs use. -Should test the claim of Glu/condr's ability to build back up cartilage.
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The stuff consistently works for me. Condroitin does nothing.
And I'm taking about 2X the does in the NIH study. That's one consistent criticism I've seen--the NIH underdoses in its studies of complementary medicine.
Anyway, the stuff is like magic for me.
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It's one of the few herbal treatments that I do recommend. I have a lot of patients who take it. I'd say 75% think that it helps, more for larger joints (knees, hips, shoulders) than for smaller joints (ankles, fingers).
You can find data that says it works and data that says it doesn't work. A lot of research comes out of Germany, where you need a prescription for a lot of herbal medicines but can get antibiotics over-the-counter.
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Glucosamine sulfate seems to help my knees a bit, but only if I take it after a workout... as if it is only helpful when there's a recent injury (or in this case, at least stress) on-site.
Glucosamine with chondroitin gives me kidney stones.
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Started to have joint aches and pain so began taking one a day (500mg + 400mg/tab). That was probably 10 yrs ago. Most joint pain has been significantly reduced or totally gone.
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[quote DavidS]It's one of the few herbal treatments that I do recommend. I have a lot of patients who take it. I'd say 75% think that it helps, more for larger joints (knees, hips, shoulders) than for smaller joints (ankles, fingers).
You can find data that says it works and data that says it doesn't work. A lot of research comes out of Germany, where you need a prescription for a lot of herbal medicines but can get antibiotics over-the-counter.
Same experience for me. Slight help with my knees, but it, in conjunction with megadoses of fish oil, have all but eliminated hip pain for me.
Your assessment of its effectiveness in your practice is what my GP and me arthritis specialist have found in their practices.
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My physician father suggested that my wife take it for hip pain 10 years ago. She took it consistently for a couple of years and now every once in a while for a coupel of weeks. She swears by it.
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. . .hasn't done anything fer me lately. . .
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I reject your reality and substitute my own!
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I think I've seen benefits and I'm a 25+ mile a week runner.
dot.
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missus e swears by the stuff. She had ACL reconstruction many years ago, so her knee gets tight when she is in training (scar tissue, and related arthritis). Since she started using it she has ridden centurys (100 mile bike race), run a marathon and raced multiple triathlons. Before she was using the stuff, she was never able to reach or maintain training goals.
