Use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin to Treat Osteoarthritis of Knee

* No observable benefits
* No observable side effects
* Chondroitin alone is useless
* Take glucosamine/chondroitin combo if you must

* Glucosamine promotes production of cartilage building proteins
* Chondroitin inhibits production of cartilage destroying enzymes

* Publication:
– Abstract
– Full article
– Follow up abstract
* Trial facts:
– Conducted: 2006
– Duration: 24 weeks
– Size: 1583 patients
* Trial Groups:
– Glucosamine group: 3 times daily of 500 mg Glucosamine Hydro Chloride
– Chondroitin group: 3 times daily of 400 mg Chondroitin Sulfate
– Combo group
– Placebo group
* Findings
Pros
– May be slightly beneficial for patients with moderate to severe pains
– No observable side effects
Cons
– No benefits for all patients combined as a group
– No observable structural improvements after two years

* Publication
– Meta-analysis: chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip
* Conclusion
– Symptomatic benefit of chondroitin is minimal or nonexistent.
– Use of chondroitin in routine clinical practice should therefore be discouraged.

* Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Arthritis: Benefit is Unlikely