Q. You recently suggested that glucosamine and chondroitin are not effective for mild to moderate knee arthritis. Your assessment was sadly incomplete.
In the study you cited, you failed to report that patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain did receive substantial benefit from this dietary supplement.
A. You have summarized one of the most curious findings of the GAIT trial (New England Journal of Medicine, Feb. 23, 2006). This large placebo-controlled study found that people with more severe knee pain got modest benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin. Overall, however, the authors concluded that, “the supplements were not shown to be effective.”
A more recent study did not show that glucosamine was better than placebo for mild hip arthritis (Annals of Internal Medicine, Feb. 19, 2008). Some readers find these supplements are helpful, but the research is not encouraging.
Anyone who is interested in more details about glucosamine and chondroitin, MSM, SAMe, acupuncture, and other natural approaches to treating arthritis will find Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy helpful. This book is available in libraries, bookstores and online at this website.
