Two of the most used supplements in osteoarthritis therapy may not be that effective at all, as reported by the British Medical Journal.
These supplements, namely glucosamine and chondroitin are usually taken on its own or mixed with other medications to help fight the pain from osteoarthritis.
The researchers, led by Professor Peter Jüni at the University of Bern in Switzerland, explain that given these supplements are not hazardous “we see no harm in having patients continue these preparations as long as they perceive a benefit and cover the cost of treatment themselves” he said.
Osteoarthritis of the hip or knee is a weakening disease of the joints usually managed by painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines, though stomach and heart problems developed if used in a long time.Treatments that not only lessen pain but slow the development of the disease would be desirable.
With hip replacement operation, that is not the truth of the matter. Believed to be of benefit to the patients, complications do occur. Just like what happen to Stryker hip replacement recall, patients lamented over the pain, puffiness, and metal toxins they suffered from it.You can actually read more about this hip implant device at stryker-hip-replacement-recall.com
For almost 10 years now, clinicians more and more suggested glucosamine and chondroitin to their patients.People all over the world also have gotten these supplements over the counter.
Researchers pointed out that the outcome of previous studies about the efficiency of glucosamine and chondroitin are inconsistent. A large scale analysis of studies was consequently needed to decide whether or not the supplements work.
Professor Jüni and his team weighed the results of the 10 available tests which include 3,803 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. They considered the deviations in stages of pain when patients took glucosamine, chondroitin, or their combination with placebo or head to head.
They discovered no clinically pertinent effect of chondroitin, glucosamine, or their combination on observed joint pain or on joint space narrowing.
In spite of the result, patients are still influenced that these supplements are beneficial.Researchers suggest this might be due to the natural progression of osteoarthritis or the placebo effect.
The researchers determined that, “Compared with placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin, and their combination do not reduce joint pain or have an impact on narrowing of joint space. Health authorities and health insurers should be discouraged from funding glucosamine and chondroitin treatment.”
Source:
bbc.co.uk/news/health-11330747
nhs.uk/Conditions/Osteoarthritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
