Glucosamine no help or harm for osteoarthritis, trial shows

People with osteoarthritis often use glucosamine, one of the top-selling natural supplements. Now an independent trial had concluded glucosamine is no better at relieving arthritis pain than a sugar pill.

Glucosamine is a natural substance found in lobster shells. It's believed to play a role in cartilage formation.

Industry Canada estimates the market for glucosamine is worth more than $140 million.

Some previous studies showed benefits of glucosamine while others didn't. The latest study was sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and it is the first independent trial without funding from the supplement industry.

The research met the gold standard of clinical trials, a randomized, placebo-controlled study of 1,600 patients.

For most people with osteoarthritis, glucosamine and another supplement, chondroitin sulphate, worked no better than a sugar pill, the investigators reported at last week's meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

"I don't think there's any role left for glucosamine in arthritis treatment," said Dr. Arthur Bookman, head of the medical advisory committee for the Arthritis Society of Canada in Toronto. "I think we have to move on to more effective remedies."

Bookman said he wouldn't be surprised if patients continue to take the popular product because there are so few alternatives.

The makers of Lakota, which contains glucosamine and chondroitin, noted the results on a subset of patients with moderate to severe arthritis suggested there was a benefit of taking a combination of the two supplements.

"Arthritis sufferers who have moderate to severe arthritis pain report better results than those with less arthritis pain," said Dan McLeod, the chief operating operator of Lakota in Edmonton.

Rheumatologists said the subgroup was so small the benefit could amount to a fluke. Overall, the results were negative, said Bookman. He said he will tell patients it is a disproven remedy and leave it up to them to decide whether to take it.

The good news for patients is the supplements are safe. Both those who took the supplement and a placebo felt better.

Denis Bolohan of Cookstown, Ont., has been taking glucosamine for three months to help his arthritic knee. Climbing stairs and ladders at his farmhouse takes its toll on the joint.

Bolohan will read the whole study before making up his mind. He said if he concludes it's a placebo effect then he'll save his money.