Glucosamine

Glucosamine in the treatment of Arthritis.

Over the past few years many patients with arthritis have asked my opinion on glucosamine as a treatment for arthritis or joint pain. After recently injuring my own knee at basketball and damaging the cartilage, I have tried glucosamine myself and have been quite happy with its effect. You may have also heard stories from friends or family who have tried it but usually it is good to hear some scientific evidence to support such claims.

I recently read a study presented in The Lancet, a prestigious British medical journal, suggesting glucosamine sulfate may actually slow the progression of osteoarthritis. This could be good news for those “has been” sports people (like me in the not too distant future) who suffer from the pain and limited mobility associated with osteoarthritis of the knee joints. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process that breaks down the cartilage between the bones in your joints. This three-year study involved 212 people with osteoarthritis in their knees. Patients were randomly selected to receive either 1500 milligrams of glucosamine a day or a placebo. A placebo is a pill that looks identical to the drug being tested but has no therapeutic effect. X-rays were taken before and after surgery to measure the amount of cartilage deterioration. The study found patients who took glucosamine experienced far less deterioration than those who took the placebo. Patients who were given glucosamine also reported decreased joint pain.

Glucosamine is one of the building blocks of cartilage, the tissue that provides a cushion for your joint. Glucosamine is by no means a cure, but it is gaining popularity in improving pain relief and increasing joint flexibility. The side effects of taking these oral supplements are minimal in humans based upon the information presently available for review. They are not recommended for those with rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, and they are not intended for use during pregnancy or by children.

Glucosamine is available from our clinic in the exact dosage used in the clinical research. Combined with exercise that keep the thigh muscles strong and joints moving without jarring this can be a very effective way of controlling your arthritis and prolonging the need for joint replacement surgery. However, patients should always consult their doctor regarding the safest and most effective treatment for their individual health concerns.

Mark