Glucosamine review

It’s a popular alternative treatment for osteoarthritis but does it really work?
 
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05.Case studies

Nimbler knees

PaulThe scientific evidence might be shaky but plenty of arthritis sufferers feel they’re getting some benefit from glucosamine. We asked members of CHOICE Online who’d tried glucosamine to tell us whether or not it had helped. About 75% thought it had worked for them.

Paul and his wife Ann take glucosamine with chondroitin. Paul has been able to stop taking Celebrex, and Ann has given up the Dichlofenec she had been taking.He thinks that given the potential risks from the two prescription medications, they’re well in front healthwise.

 

Judith Judith has osteoarthritis in her knees and ankles, which was treated with the NSAID Vioxx until it was withdrawnShe can’t take regular anti-inflammatories because she also has a hiatus hernia, so about five years ago she started taking one 1500mg glucosamine tablet a day.
While this hasn’t completely removed the pain or inflammation, she thinks it has reduced it. She now takes fish oil as well and thinks this has helped too

 

 

Can you help?

Australian research will eventually help to resolve the uncertainty as to whether or not glucosamine sulphate works in alleviating the pain of osteoarthritis. And you might be able to help.

The George Institute, affiliated with the University of Sydney, is recruiting people with painful knees for the LEGS Study. This study, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, will evaluate the effects of glucosamine, with and without chondroitin, on pain and cartilage loss.

If you're aged 45 to 75, have chronic knee pain and live in or near the Sydney region, go to this website for further information and contact details:www.thegeorgeinstitute.org/LEGS

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