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Herbal Medicines for Arthritis Not Backed by Evidence
Posted 12 Jan 2012 by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 11 – There is little evidence to support the widespread use of herbal medicines to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, according to a review of these products. Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that involves damage to cartilage and other structures in and around the joints, particularly the fingers, knees and hips. It differs from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an immune-based disorder. Devil's claw, cat's claw, ginger, nettle, rosehip, turmeric, willow bark, Indian frankincense and vegetable extracts of avocado or soybean oils are all among the herbal medicines traditionally used to treat osteoarthritis. "Unfortunately, a large number of people suffer from osteoarthritis pain," said one expert, Dr. Robert Graham, an internist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "Current pharmacological management is largely focused upon reduction of pain and of ... Read more
Related support groups: Osteoarthritis, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Voltaren, Meloxicam, Advil, Diclofenac, Mobic, Aleve, Motrin, Indomethacin, Glucosamine, Toradol, Etodolac, Flector
More Evidence That Glucosamine, Chondroitin Won't Help Ailing Joints
Posted 16 Sep 2010 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, Sept. 16 – Although millions take supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis in their hips and knees, there is no evidence that these supplements have any healing effect, finds a new analysis of large-scale studies. This latest report is one of several that have found no beneficial effect of either supplement in relieving arthritic pain. But since there is no evidence that the pills cause harm, the new report's authors say there's no reason to stop taking them if individuals think they are being helped. On the other hand, "if a patient hasn't had these preparations [already], it doesn't make sense that he or she should be encouraged to take these supplements," said lead researcher Dr. Peter Juni, head of the division of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of ... Read more
Related support groups: Osteoarthritis, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Osteo Bi-Flex, Cosamin DS, Schiff Move Free, Chondroitin/Glucosamine, Relamine, Schiff Move Free Caplets, Pryflex
Glucosamine Ineffective for Lower Back Pain Linked to Arthritis
Posted 6 Jul 2010 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, July 6 – The popular supplement glucosamine offers little or no relief for sufferers of chronic lower back pain caused by osteoarthritis, a new study finds. The Norwegian trial seems to be another knock against glucosamine, with other recent studies showing similar results. "The study answer the questions: 'I have suffered low back pain for a long time (more than 6 months), will a 6-month intake of glucosamine help me?'" said lead researcher Philip Wilkens, a research fellow in the orthopedic department at the University of Oslo. "And the answer according to this study is no." On the up side, "glucosamine appears safe to use," he added. "And more research is needed to answer if glucosamine is beneficial to prevent chronic low back pain or have benefits in longer term, like 5 to 10 years." Osteoarthritis affects more than 20 million Americans, and the number is expected to ... Read more
Related support groups: Glucosamine
Glucosamine Fails Osteoarthritis Test
Posted 2 Dec 2009 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, Oct. 20 – Glucosamine takes a hit in a new study that finds it doesn't prevent cartilage loss in people with osteoarthritis of the knee, University of Pittsburgh researchers report. Many arthritis sufferers take glucosamine supplements in an attempt to reduce pain or to slow the disease's progression, but previous studies have questioned its effectiveness. In this new study, Dr. C. Kent Kwoh, professor of medicine and epidemiology in the university's division of rheumatology and clinical immunology, had 201 people with mild to moderate knee pain randomly assigned to receive glucosamine or placebo. The study participants underwent MRI and X-ray screening at the start of the trial and 24 weeks later. Kwoh's group found the same progression of cartilage damage in those who received glucosamine as in those who received placebo. Worsening bone lesions were also the same for both ... Read more
Related support groups: Osteoarthritis, Glucosamine, Osteo Bi-Flex, Cosamin DS, Schiff Move Free, Chondroitin/Glucosamine, Chondroitin/Glucosamine/Methylsulfonylmethane, Pryflex, Osteo Bi-Flex Plus MSM, Relamine, Schiff Move Free Caplets, Osteo Bi-Flex Advanced
Studies Struggle to Gauge Glucosamine's Worth
Posted 1 Feb 2009 by Drugs.com
FRIDAY, Jan. 30 – Eager to relieve joint pain and repair the cushioning between bones, millions of arthritis sufferers reach for glucosamine, an over-the-counter dietary supplement. Despite its popularity, studies examining the effectiveness of this natural therapy have yielded mixed results. "There is still a lot of uncertainty about glucosamine," said Dr. Steven C. Vlad, a fellow in clinical epidemiology and rheumatology at Boston University School of Medicine. So what is glucosamine, anyway? It's a type of sugar that the body produces and distributes in cartilage and other connective tissue. Chondroitin sulfate, often taken in combination with glucosamine, is a complex carbohydrate that helps cartilage retain water, according to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. These substances are derived from animal tissues, according to the Arthritis ... Read more
Related support groups: Glucosamine
Popular Supplements Don't Work Against Arthritis: Study
Posted 30 Sep 2008 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, Sept. 30 – The popular supplements glucosamine and chondroitin are no better than a placebo at preventing cartilage loss in knees of people with the form of arthritis caused by wear and tear, a new study found. Still, the researcher who led the study said glucosamine may help some people with osteoarthritis. The researcher, Dr. Allen D. Sawitzke, an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine, also acknowledged that the trial wasn't conclusive because of the small number of participants and the relatively short duration – two years. Sawitzke said that what struck him as possibly significant was the lower rate of joint loss for participants taking only glucosamine – 0.013 millimeters, about one-tenth as much as found in those taking either other supplements or a placebo. "That is not statistically significant, but it hints to me that ... Read more
Related support groups: Osteoarthritis, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Cosamin DS
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