Glucosamine Reduces Knee Osteoarthritis

A controlled trial from Europe discussed at the Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology evaluated glucosamine sulfate in knee arthritis. The findings suggest glucosamine does in fact improve arthritis.

The 3 year study consisted of 212 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients received either 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine or a placebo (dummy pill) once per day. The patients' knees were x-rayed at 1 year and at 3 years, and the images were interpreted in London by doctors who had no knowledge of which patients received glucosamine or placebo.

Researchers found of those patients who ingested glucosamine, no further joint narrowing (a cardinal sign of osteoarthritis) was detected. However, of those who ingested the placebo, all had a noticeable worsening of joint space narrowing. In addition, those consuming the glucosamine reported their knees felt better while those who consumed the placebos reported a slight worsening of the disease.