New research suggests glucosamine is not effective in lessening knee pain or combating cartilage deterioration.
The chemical compound does not appear to reduce the rate of knee bone marrow lesions, also known as "bone bruises," which are believed to contribute to osteoarthritis (OA) pain, a Wiley news release reported.
Over 27 million Americans over the age of 25 are diagnosed with OA; it is considered to be the most common form of arthritis as well as a primary cause of disability in the elderly.
Glucosamine is the second most commonly-used natural treatment for arthritis and joint pain. About 10 percent of individuals over the age of 18 use glucosamine; about $2 billion is spent on the supplement every year across the globe.
Researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The research team consisted of Doctor. C. Kent Kwoh from the University of Arizona in Tucson and colleagues, the news release reported.
The researchers looked at 201 participants who struggled with mild to moderate pain in at least one knee. The study subjects were randomly selected to take either "[1,500 milligrams] of a glucosamine hydrochloride in a 16-ounce bottle of diet lemonade or placebo for 24 weeks," the news release reported.
The team used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the levels of cartilage damage in the patients.
The results showed no significant difference in cartilage damage between the glucosamine and placebo groups. About 70 percent of the patients' knees showed no difference in bone lesions and there was no significant difference in excretion of C-telopeptides of type II collagen (CTX-II) in the urine, which is an indicator of tissue damage.
"Our study found no evidence that drinking a glucosamine supplement reduced knee cartilage damage, relieved pain, or improved function in individuals with chronic knee pain," Kwoh said in the news release.
