Osteoarthritis and Glucosamine/Chondroitin

     Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes various therapies for osteoarthritis including yoga, tai chi, and supplements like glucosamine/chondroitin.  Although glucosamine/chondroitin has been sold for more than forty years, there is still controversy surrounding its use. Glucosamine sulfate are substances found in cartilage. A complex carbohydrate, chondroitin improves the ability of cartilage to reserve water.  Many research studies have examined the use of glucosamine/chondroitin as a treatment for osteoarthritis symptoms.  These studies have reported  mixed results (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011).

     Glucosamine/chondroitin has been found to decrease edema and pain of osteoarthritis.  The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has reported that use of these supplements may help reduce cartilage damage.  However, AAOS also describes many side-effects from these supplements including diarrhea, constipation and bloating.  It has been found to effect blood sugar levels and can affect those patients with shellfish allergies (several varieties of glucosamine/chondroitin are made from lobster and crab skeletons) (The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2009).

     Because the supplements are not tested by the Food and Drug Administration there is no way patients can be certain what is actually being purchased and added to their pharmaceutical regimen.  Some brands have fillers of sodium and potassium. (Consumerlab.com, 2012).

     Today, patients are cautioned in the use of dietary supplements like glucosamine /chondroitin.  Patients are encouraged to continue their traditional medication and discuss the addition of this supplement with their doctors.

 

 

References

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate (2009). Retrieved November, 29, 2012 from    

      http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00189

Product Review: Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM Supplements for Joint Health (2012).

     Retrieved November, 29, 2012 from   

https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Review_Glucosamine_Chondroitin_MSM_Supplements/jointsupplements/

Glucosamine and Chondroitin (2012). Retrieved November, 29, 2012 from

     http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chondroitin