Glucosamine, Chondroitin Do Not Relieve Arthritis Pain - Study

A multinational team of researchers has found that two supplements used by consumers to ease joint pain are in fact ineffective. Glucosamine and chondroitin, taken either on their own or in combination, are used by millions to ease pain caused by osteoarthritis in hips and knees. Global sales of glucosamine neared $2 billion in 2008, a 60 percent increase since 2003. According to the researchers, the supplements are not dangerous, but because they don’t work, "health authorities and health insurers should not cover the costs for these preparations.” The researchers analyzed the results of 10 published trials involving 3,803 patients, assessing pain levels after patients took a placebo or the supplements alone or in combination. No clinically relevant effect on perceived joint pain or on joint space narrowing was found.