Researchers in Winnipeg, Manitoba surveyed the prevalence of CAM use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Geneva School of Medicine, in Switzerland, evaluated the response to highly purified chondroitin 4&6 sulfate (CS) in patients with hand osteoarthritis. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Washington, in Seattle, evaluated whether 13 vitamin and mineral supplements and glucosamine, chondroitin, saw palmetto, Ginkgo biloba, garlic, fish-oil, and fiber supplements were associated with total mortality.

The results with glucosamine and chondroitin are most interesting. (more…)

Researchers at the Universitetet i Oslo, tell us, “Since 2004, glucosamine has been available as a prescription drug [in Norway] for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was evaluate the use of glucosamine on the need for analgesic drugs. (more…)

Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) occurs as cartilage breaks down and wears away. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, resulting pain, swelling, and loss of joint motion.

Although glucosamine is increasingly used by these patients, researchers at Oslo University Hospital Outpatient Clinic in Norway tell us little was known about the effectiveness of glucosamine for this condition until now. (more…)

Researchers from Bethesda North Hospital Pharmacy, in Cincinnati, Ohio reviewed the evidence for using supplements to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. (more…)

Researchers in Germany conducted the first study of this combination.

The aim was to see if the combination is more effective than glucosamine alone. (more…)

Reporting at the American College of Rheumatology annual scientific meeting, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in Pennsylvania found no benefit for preventing joint damage in the knees caused by osteoarthritis. (more…)

It depends on what’s being reported.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and Mayo Clinic reviewed sales of 5 popular supplements in light of emerging negative evidence. (more…)

No better than placebo after 24 months of treatment. (more…)

Yes, both were effective.

But, are they better than placebo? (more…)

 Researchers from the University of Paris Descartes in France assessed the long-term effects of chondroitins 4 and 6 sulfate on the symptoms and radiographic progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). (more…)

Here’s a follow-up to an earlier post on the use of CAM in the US in 2007 as surveyed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). (more…)

After 2 years of treatment, glucosamine sulfate had no effect on the symptoms and the progression of hip osteoarthritis, according to researchers from the Netherlands. (more…)

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) reports that approximately 38% of adults and 12% of children use some form of CAM. (more…)

The Arthritis Foundation characterized the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) as “a landmark study that helps define the role of glucosamine/chondroitin in the treatment of knee OA.”

(more…)

Arthritis pain includes a range of ailments, from acute musculoskeletal injuries to degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) to chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. Eric Ruderman, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago has published a review on Medscape, with lots of space devoted to CAM: exercise, acupuncture, and nutritional supplements. (more…)

The products were purported to contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). You can buy the full report here, or MSNBC gives a glimpse of the findings here.

Two products exposed include Nature’s Plus Ultra Maximum Strength Chondroitin 600 for people and Nutri-Vet Nutritionals Hip and Joint Soft Chews for dogs. (more…)

Earlier posts on this topic here and here might leave readers with the impression that the scientific literature doesn’t support glucosamine to help treat osteoporosis.

Considering it’s one of the most commonly used supplements, it’s worth another look. (more…)

The Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has reviewed the evidence and concludes that proof of benefit is lacking for dietary supplements, a common surgical procedure, and injected preparations. (more…)