A study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology reported that disappointing results from a study of the dietary supplement glucosamine. Over 200 subjects with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee were randomized to receive either glucosamine or placebo for six months. The investigators performed both an X-ray and MRI of the knees at the beginning of the study and also 24 weeks later to see whether the glucosamine could affect the narrowing of the joint. The researchers concluded that there was no detectable benefit in easing osteoarthritis based on objective measurements.
[American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, Oct. 2009]
