One of the highly anticipated clinical studies on whether the nutritional supplements Glucosamine and Chondroitin help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis was recently released, and it confirms that glucosamine and chondroitin can provide significant relief from knee pain for those who need it most: those who suffer moderate to severe pain from osteoarthritis. Unfortunately the media has decided to focus on the negative, instead of the positive.

The study, called “Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial” (GAIT), was sponsored by the National Institute of Health. It studied the effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements on 1583 people with osteoarthritis. Sixty-four percent of the study participants were women.

The participants were randomly assigned to one of five test groups: Placebo (control); glucosamine only (1500 mg daily); chondroitin sulfate only (1200 mg daily); glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate; or celecoxib (200 mg daily), a common prescription medication. The participants were also evaluated on the severity of their arthritis pain.

After six weeks of the study, the researchers reported a couple of findings. 

 The most significant of the findings, which is good news for those with moderate or severe arthritis pain, has been mostly ignored by the media. This finding says that “effects in the moderate-to-severe pain stratum were more substantial” when the glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements were taken as a combination. The participants in the moderate-to-severe pain category reported a 25 percent decrease in pain compared to the people in the placebo group. This is a significant statistic even though the number of participants in the moderate-to-severe arthritis category was small (348 participants out of 1583). The authors of the study said in their report that they recognize this as a problem, and that the relatively small number of participants with moderate-to-severe pain may have restricted the ability to observe benefits in the glucosamine only, chondroitin sulfate only, and celecoxib groups. Unfortunately, it is a statement regarding the overall findings of the study that is receiving the majority of the media attention. This finding says that the study participants taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, either alone or in combination, did not have improvement in pain that was significantly higher than the placebo group. However, the authors of the clinical study point out that the effects of the nutritional supplements may have been limited because the degree of osteoarthritis pain that the majority of the study participants had was relatively mild, as opposed to moderate or severe pain. The positive results of this study have definitely raised hope for those who suffer arthritis pain. Even though the media coverage has focused on the negatives of the study, medical professionals are recognizing that the Glucosamine and Chondroitin combination does offer pain relief, especially to those who suffer moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain.

Daniells, Stephen. Nutra Ingredients. Feb 23, 2006. “Glucosamine, Chondroitin Relieve Moderate-to-Severe Osteoarthritis Pain.” http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=66041-glucosamine-chondroitin-osteoarthritis  

BIOMETICS’ complete line of advanced liquid nutritional supplements provide vital nutrients in a highly absorbable form. FLEXI-CARE PLUS contains Chondroitin from Shark Cartilage, Glucosamine, and MSM, to support healthy joint function. *

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.