New research supports previous studies that suggest glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have no impact on relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). While the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate was shown in the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) to aid moderate-to-severe knee OA pain, GAIT showed those with mild knee OA pain showed little to no benefit from taking the supplement (Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Aug. 2010). The current study, published in Arthritis and Rheumatology (Nov. 2014), reviewed data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) from 2004 to 2006, looking at those with established knee OA or who were at high risk for developing the condition. The use of glucosamine and chondroitin was self-reported, and subjects were asked at baseline and annually if they had used either supplement for joint pain or arthritis. Those who reported using glucosamine/chondroitin at three annual assessments had a minimal increase in improvement compared with those who didnt use the supplements. Improvement in stiffness and function was also minimal. The findings support the latest guidelines, which recommend against using glucosamine and chondroitin for OA treatment, the researchers said.
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