08-27-2001

Glucosamine and chondroitin reduce pain without the gastrointestinal side effects of pain relievers .

For many of the 21 million Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis--the most common type of arthritis—two dietary supplements appear to offer all of the benefits of pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, but without the gastrointestinal side effects.

Although it takes a month or two for symptoms to improve, clinical trials have shown that Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, often sold together in one pill, are effective in relieving pain for many users. “Some people believe they might actually slow the progression of arthritis, although it’s too early to say whether that’s the case,” says Paul Brion, M.D., rheumatologist at UCLA Medical Group-Santa Monica.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are two components of cartilage. In people with osteoarthritis, joint cartilage breaks down faster tan the body can replace it.

“The thought is that taking these supplements helps to replenish the building blocks of cartilage, slowing the destruction of the joints,” Dr. Brion says. A large national study is addressing the question of whether the combination of Glucosamine and chondroitin does in fact have such an effect, but results are several years away.

The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate nutritional supplements such as Glucosamine and chondroitin, so the products on the market vary greatly in their actual ingredients and dosage levels, notes Elizabeth Whiteman, M.D., a geriatrician at UCLA Medical Center.

“The product has been advertised as Glucosamine chondroitin, but these are actually separate ingredients,” Dr. Whiteman notes. “People who are interested in the combination should look at the label to see the strength of each supplement as well as what other ingredients are included.”

This article is presented with permission from UCLA Healthcare’s publication, Vital Signs, Volume 25, July 2001.