A new study published in the British Medical Journal is touting the ineffectiveness of popular joint care supplements chondroitin and glucosamine. The authors reviewed the results of 10 published trials involving patients with osteoarthritis and found no clinically relevant effect of chondroitin, glucosamine, or the two in combination. However, many patients do report significant improvement in symptoms with these supplements. The researchers believe that this is likely due to the natural course of osteoarthritis, which include periods of painful flares as well as periods of pain reduction. A placebo effect is another possibility. The authors also point out that no evidence exist to conclude that these supplements are dangerous to take. Therefore, if you believe they help your condition or if you're interested in trying them, by all means. In 2008, worldwide glucosamine supplement sales totaled $2 billion dollars. [via Medical News Today]
Thanks to DailyDose
