Osteoarthritis (shown on the right in the knee joint) is the most common form of arthritis and breaks down the cartilage between the bones in your joints. This three-year study involved 212 people with osteoarthritis in their knees. Patients were randomly selected to receive either 1500 milligrams of glucosamine a day or a placebo. X-rays were taken before and after surgery to measure the amount of cartilage deterioration. The study found patients who took glucosamine experienced far less deterioration than those who took the placebo. Patients who were given glucosamine also reported decreased joint pain.
Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage, the tissue that provides a cushion for your joint.
Glucosamine is available in the United States only as an over-the-counter nutritional supplement. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate it. Glucosamine is often sold in combination with chondroitin, another nutritional supplement. However, this study focused solely on glucosamine.
Osteoarthritis accounts for nearly 46 million physician visits, 3.7 million hospital admissions and 68 million workdays lost per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of physical disability in the United States.
As a result of this study reported in The Lancet and other research being conducted around the world, many physicians may begin to change how they view glucosamine and other nutritional supplements that could offer relief to their arthritis patients. However, patients should always consult their physician regarding the safest and most effective treatment for their individual health concerns.
