Glucosamine and chondroitin, two animal products marketed
as food supplements, do appear to help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis.
The authors analyzed 15 previously published studies of the effects of
glucosamine and chondroitin on osteoarthritis. The combined results of
the studies, adjusted for quality and variability in the supplements,
indicated a moderate benefit from glucosamine treatment and a large benefit
from chondroitin treatment.
However, the researchers uncovered some quality problems
with previous research which suggest that the actual benefit of treatment
with glucosamine and chondroitin is likely to be less than the studies
indicate.
The Journal of the American
Medical Association March 15, 2000;283:1469-1475, 1483-1484