WHAT ABOUT?... Glucosamine and Chondroitin to treat arthritis?

Glucosamine and chondroitin are over-the-counter dietary supplements that have gained a lot of attention lately in books and the media as a treatment or even cure for arthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin are found naturally in your body. They help give cartilage its strength and rigidity. Cartilage is the spongy shock absorbing like substance that covers the bony surface of joints and allows smooth nearly frictionless movement of joints. The supplements sold in stores are a synthetic version of this substance.

What is arthritis?

There are two main types of arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Both types cause pain by effecting the ability of body joints to move smoothly over one another.

• Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be due to the immune system attacking certain components of the joint causing inflammation and swelling of the joint. In addition to pain medications treatment often includes potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. Persons with rheumatoid arthritis must absolutely be under the care of a physician capable of treating this disorder. Prescription medications are required in all but the mildest of cases.
  
  
• Osteoarthritis is thought to be due to a combination of nonimmune related factors, including wear and tear, that gradually wear out the joint cartilage and gradually break down the bony surfaces of effected joints. There appears to be a genetic, not immunologic, predisposition to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is most likely to be severely symptomatic in weight bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Traditional treatment of osteoarthritis start with Tylenol™ (generic acetaminophen) with the addition of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as Motrin™ (generic ibuprofen), Naprosyn (Anaprox™, Aleve™) and aspirin if needed. Persons with severe destruction of the hip and knee joints are often helped tremendously by artificial joint replacement.

The current claims for glucosamine and chondroitin are limited to persons with osteoarthritis. Please realize that there are presently no cures (not even close) but only treatments for both forms of arthritis. Any product claiming to "cure" either type of arthritis or make it go away is a lie!

Does Glucosamine and Chondroitin really work?

More studies are needed to determine if these products really work. Manufacturers and advocates of glucosamine supplements claim the supplements improve osteoarthritis symptoms by stimulating growth of new cartilage and maintaining existing cartilage.

The few small trials conducted in Europe and the United States that showed some usefulness for glucosamine and chondroitin were small in number, short in duration, and flawed in design 1, 2. Larger, longer studies are needed before any positive effects from the supplements can be proven.

Bottom Line

Although both products appear to be safe, not enough is known to recommend them as arthritis treatment. These products can be found in any number of stores and on Internet sites.

It is interesting to note that typical prices for a 20 day supply (60 tablets) of glucosamine/chondroitin ranges from $30 to $40. Higher dosages of generic versions of medications that have proven to be effective (Tylenol™, Motrin™, and Aleve™) typically cost from $5 to $15 for a 20 day supply.

We recommend doing the math and consulting your doctor about arthritis treatment.

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References

1. Morreale P, Manopulo R, Galati M, Boccanera L, Saponati G, Bocchi L. Comparison of the anti-inflammatory efficacy of chondroitin sulfate and diclofenac sodium in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 1996;23:1385-91. 21.

2. MŸller-Fassbender H, Bach GL, Haase W, Rovati LC, Setnikab I. Glucosamine sulfate compared to ibuprofen in osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 1994;2:61-9.

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