Nov 15 2005
The millions of Osteoarthritis sufferers in the world will welcome the good news that a new study has confirmed that the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin provide pain relief.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) says that the clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), showed that the combined use of the two dietary supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, provided significant pain relief for sufferers of the joint disease that afflicts tens of millions of Americans.
The findings add to a growing body of scientific evidence showing that the two supplements can safely alleviate pain from osteoarthritis, a chronic condition known as the "wear-and-tear" kind of arthritis.
Apparently as many as one in 3 adults have some form of arthritis, which is the leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
The six-month study involved 1,500 osteoarthritis patients who were given a placebo or daily doses of 1,500/mg of glucosamine hydrochloride and/or 1,200 mg of chondroitin sulfate or 200 mg of the common prescription pain medication celecoxib.
The study found that a combination of the two supplements "is effective in treating moderate to severe knee pain due to osteoarthritis."
The new findings are consistent with the vast majority of more than 50 published clinical trials that have demonstrated the safety and benefit of the two supplements, said Andrew Shao, Ph.D., CRN's vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs.
He says it adds to the strong body of human clinical trials that supports the use of glucosamine and chondroitin for significant and long-lasting relief of joint pain and improvements in mobility.
Dr. Shao says the supplements are both safe and beneficial for joint health.
In the other research, preliminary results from a 24-week clinical trial in Europe found that glucosamine sulfate was more effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain than the pain medicine acetaminophen.
The results of both the studies are being presented this week at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Diego.
Abstracts are posted on ACR's website.
Dr. Shao says the research also suggests that glucosamine and chondroitin may similarly help others at risk for osteoarthritis or those who are experiencing joint discomfort, including athletes involved in high-impact sports such as basketball or running.
For more information visit the CRN website.
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