FAQ on Chondroitin from the Arthritis Foundation
Link: http://www.arthritis.org/con...es/glucosamine.asp
Which alternative treatments work?
Link: www.consumerreports.org
Excerpt: From Consumer Reports, August 2005 ... Topping the list of doctor-recommended treatments were glucosamine/chondroitin (for joint pain)...
Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Link:text
Excerpt: Trials of glucosamine and chondroitin preparations for OA symptoms demonstrate moderate to large effects, but quality issues and likely publication bias suggest that these effects are exaggerated. Nevertheless, some degree of efficacy appears probable for these preparations.
Dietary Outcomes in Osteoarthritis Disease Management
Link: text
Excerpt: Several small, short-term, 3- to 12-month, randomized placebo controlled clinical trials to evaluate the effects on chondroitin sulfate/placebo or NSAID have demonstrated modest reductions in knee OA pain and improved function. Sustained effects have been reported up to 3 months after discontinuation of chondroitin sulfate.
New developments in osteoarthritis
Link: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Excerpt: Osteoarthritis (OA) has been a frustrating disease for both the patient and the physician. Its current impact on society is tremendous, and rivals that of ischemic heart disease in many regards. As the baby boomers reach late adulthood and the obesity epidemic rages on, OA will assume an even greater impact on society. The current OA armamentarium only reduces pain and perhaps improves function, and has no impact on the disease incidence or progression.
Asthma Exacerbation Associated with Glucosamine-
Chondroitin Supplement
Link: www.familypractice.com
Excerpt: The biological link between both chondroitin and glucosamine and secretions from the respiratory tree of persons with asthma lends biologic plausibility to the hypothesis that the patient’s asthmatic episode was related to the dietary substance. Physicians would be wise to question their patients about use of dietary supplements as self-medication and consider the possibility of such supplements causing exacerbations of underlying conditions.
Managing osteoarthritis of the knee
Link: bmj.bmjjournals.com
Excerpt: No reference was made to evidence of benefit of weight loss programmes linked to exercise; this is important, since increasing levels of obesity and incident knee osteoarthritis are strongly associated. Even relatively small amounts of weight loss can reduce pain and improve activity levels.
Joint and cartilage supplements
Link: orthopedics.about.com
Excerpt: One should note, however, that oral consumption of glucosamine and chondroitin does not mean that the amount of these joint supplements within the arthritic joints will change at all. It has not been shown that consumption of joint supplements increases the quantity of these cartilage building blocks within any joint.
Research Findings
Link: www.quackwatch.org
Excerpt: Respected medical authorities regard use of these compounds as plausible and agree that more research is needed to place them in proper perspective. However, disagreement exists about how practical it is to use them now. The organizations I trust most give different advice...
This information is provided for research purposes only, and is not intended to replace your physician's medical advice. Seek out the advice of a qualified medical professional before taking any over-the-counter supplements.