Glucosamin and Chondratin are found to be ineffective!

[busted]

The New York Times just publicized a study from the New England Journal of Medicine (a top notch medical journal) on their homepage stating that the supplements Glucosamin and Chondroitin do absolutely no good for arthritis!

The footbag community takes these supplements for sports related pain, and there are pretty big differences between pain from arthritis and pain from overuse injury, but I have a hard time seeing why a drug that doesn't help one group of people would help another.

What do people think from their own experience? I've been taking the supplements (2xdaily of Glucosamin+Chondroitin+MSM), which are rather expensive I might add, for about three months now and I don't feel so much knee pain, but that's probably largely because I haven't been playing as much as normal. I haven't played as much because it's winter and because of a knee injury... which is why I started taking the supplements! I guess I'll keep taking them through the summer to see what's up.

Please sound off and let me know what y'all think! I am interested in all opinions on the topic and especially in experience with what the supplements have done for people.

Kind Regards,
-David

[dontlikespam]

I've stated in other threads that i've been taking this stuff for awhile now in the form of a brand called Triflex. I can say without question that before i started taking it i'd wake up with stiff joints everywhere and had to constantly stretch all day to stay loose and comfortable. Taking the supplements has changed that. I mean i still stretch to stay loose, but my knees and ankles don't bother me much at all while i'm taking the stuff. I've gone off it for a little more than a month at one time because of money issues and it being so expensive, and EASILY felt the difference after a few weeks.
I've seen so many medical professionals suggest taking these supplements to people with joint pain because they get such positive feedback from people who use it. I've even seen it discussed by veteranarians to treat dogs with joint problems.
I don't know what to say about that article you posted, can only say that it works GREAT for me.

[HooD]

Well, it's really hard to say with studies that neither really reveal any true potential of what it can do. I've done some research on these supplements and it also seems to trigger joint lubrication, but that wasn't really even mentioned in the article. I understand that it is said that many substances are ineffective because of the processes it must go through the body. Many times these supplements are filtered out of the system before they can do any good, which seems to be the point that was made about chondroiton sulfate.

Since I'm now working and not in school at the moment, if I have some spare money, I plan on purchasing some Triflex once it warms up. My knees aren't the smoothest knees around and I know arthritis is going to start eventually. All my joints work quite well, but almost all of them 'crack/pop' , but none of them are really uncomfortable. I'm hoping that increased joint lubrication will help with some of my knee discomforts...but who knows until I try the supplements...and even then, the placebo effect might be kicking in...I will report in after a months + use if I do plan on taking them.

So , I'd like to hope it works as it's said, or atleast on some individuals more than others, but it's definitely not concrete how the body absorbs these.

[Jdigges]

They actulaly aren't used to treat pain. They are used to prevent future wearing of the joints. They help the joints become more flexible and lubricated, relieving stress on them.

[dontlikespam]

They actulaly aren't used to treat pain. They are used to prevent future wearing of the joints. They help the joints become more flexible and lubricated, relieving stress on them.

Actually, my father had them suggested by his doctor as a long term pain reliever. And they do lessen everyday joint pain, by lubricating the joints i guess. I feel the difference in my knees and ankles when i'm not taking them(for awhile since the effects last a bit after you stop taking them.)

[mc]

They relieve pain, but not in a direct way. instead of numbing the pain or being an anti-inflammatory, they help treat the cause of the pain... maybe that's where the confusion is... also, who said they feel that if a medicine doesn't work for one thing, it won't work for another? I don't think I agree with that logic.

I've tried taking these supplements before, I'm just tooooo lazy, I miss one day and then just stop taking them. I have a big bottle of glucosamine chondroitin right in front of me. I suck.

[Jdigges]

Yea i meant what matt said. i was saying they aren't used to directly treat pain such as IB profine or aspirin. Although im sure they relieve pain over time because they reduce the stress and ware on the joint