GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS: GLUCOSAMINE VERSUS PLACEBO
One of the best studies of glucosamine was a double-blind placebo-controlled study that involved 252 participants with osteoarthritis of the knee. A total of 241 participants completed this 4-week trial. Of the 120 participants who received the glucosamine, 55% experienced a reduction in pain and stiffness. This was significantly better than the 38% rate of improvement among those who received the placebo.
Not only was glucosamine effective, it did not cause any significant side effects. To be precise, minor side effects, mostly upset stomach and allergy symptoms, were seen in about eight people taking glucosamine. However, similar side effects were seen in 13 people receiving placebo! When a treatment causes fewer side effects than placebo, it is reasonable to call it side-effect free for all practical purposes.
The major weakness of this trial was that it lasted only 4 weeks. For a chronic disease like osteoarthritis, you’d really like to have a study of at least 3 to 6 months’ duration. But it still provides impressive evidence that glucosamine can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis.
Similar results were seen in two other double-blind placebo-controlled studies, involving a total of 120 participants.
*33/306/5*
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