This article shows that arthritis responds to Glucosamine/ Chondroitin. For years it was said that glucosamine would not work against arthritis. But people knew that when they combined glucosamine with chondroitin it showed effectiveness against arthritis. What is even more astounding is that it reduced the incidence of colorectal and lung cancers. This fact the researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 werte aware of.
They devised an elaborate double-blind, crossover study to investigate the mechanism behind the beneficial effect of glucosamine/chondroitin on 18 overweight men and women between 20 and 55 years of age.
The first phase was a 28-day cycle of receiving 1200 mg of chondroitin sulfate and 1500 mg of glucosamine chloride per day or a placebo.
Second part of double-blind, crossover study on glucosamine/chondroitin
Next there was a washout period during which no supplements were given. This was followed by a 28-day cycle where treatments were switched. The previous placebo group got the supplements now. And the previous supplement group got placebos.
There was a collection of blood samples in the beginning of the trial before patients took any supplements, then after each 28-day period. The main inflammatory marker was the C-reactive protein (CRP), but the researchers also tested other inflammatory markers.
Results of glucosamine/chondroitin study
There was improvement of the symptoms of arthritis in the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement group, but persisted in the placebo group. CRP levels were 23% lower at the end of the 28-day cycle with the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement group, but not in the placebo group. The researchers found that there was an inhibition of the “cytokine activity” pathway by the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement. They also believe that this is the explanation, why there is less lung and colorectal cancer when the rheumatoid arthritis patients took glucosamine/chondroitin supplements.
Another study in the past had shown that a group of rheumatoid arthritis patients was able to reduce their anti-inflammatory medication by more than 30% when compared to a placebo group. They received supplementation with 2.2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory similar to glucosamine/chondroitin supplements.
Arthritis Responds To Glucosamine/Chondroitin
Conclusion
We now know that inflammation is the reason for arthritis. But inflammation is also present with the development of various cancers. Rather than wait until we get into trouble, it is far better to concentrate on prevention. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet like the Mediterranean diet. And take supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and krill oil. Your body will thank you for it with good health.
More info on osteoarthritis.
More info on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
