Will glucosamine help my arthritis?
glucosamine supplements are considered to be beneficial in reducing pain and pain caused by arthritis. However, medical studies find little evidence that glucosamine reduces the symptoms of arthritis. Despite the latest study in this area, there is still some dispute about whether the type of glucosamine used for the study has been suitable for the study, so some doctors can still recommend it to their patients. Patients were divided into five separate groups. Groups received medicines, supplements or placebo as follows:
The aim of the study was for patients to experience a 20% reduction in knee pain. In Group V, Group I and Group II few people in SCornness felt that pain reduction was approaching 20%. However, about 79% of Group III, the use of glucosamine and chondroitin felt mild to medium to medium relief from pain if they previously described their pain as serious. Those with the most serious pain have seen the greatest relief from pain in all groups. This suggests that glucosamine and chondroitin supplement can provide pain relief for people with severe pain from arthritis. However, a 20% reduction in pain may not give sufficient benefits to those who have chronic pain.
One aspect of the study that has been questioned is the type of glucosamine used. Glucosamine hydrochloride has been administered in patients taking glucosamine or glucosamine with chondroitin. This is because only glucosamine hydrochloride can be found in a form that has met safe production standards.
Dr. Marc Hochberg, head of rheumatology at the University of Maryland, suggests that more patients would benefit if they took another form of supplement instead, calledfor glucosamine sulfate. His proposal for those suffering from arthritis was to try glucosamine supplement to see if he offered pain relief. As long as the glucosamine supplement meets safe production standards, it is considered safe for people. Hochberg recommends one assessment whether the supplement relief is offered because safety does not tend to be a problem. If glucosamine sulfate does not offer any relief after three months, no continuing advantage will appear.