Does Glucosamine and Chondroitin really work?

"Hi Gary, thanks for your advice. I've been taking the joint factors 4500 now for about 5-6 weeks and have noticed a definite improvement in my knee, particularly in the reduction of pain and an increase in the freedom of movement.
I've also cut back on the touch and running and I try to keep my leg exercises at the gym simple so as not to stress the knee joint with too much of a load.
Just one question... does the JF4500 come in capsule form at all? I do a bit of travelling around and capsules would be easier to pack.
Thanks again for your help,"
Darren.
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Gary Moller comments:
I have been recommneding joint food (glucosamine and chondroitin and MSM) formulations in NZ for the best part of 15 years and the reason why is simple: Because these nutrition products work when used properly.

Of course, when a study is reported to find that these products do not work, there is much hoopla by the mainstream media and some medical authorities. I discount these most of the time as being the premature crowing of parties with vested interests in the arthritis industry.

These products do work for most cases, improving mobility and reducing joint every bit as effectively as the most powerful anti inflammatory medicine. The need for joint surgery or joint replacement is often delayed and sometimes even deemed no longer necessary. Of course, there is a time for surgery. Even then the case for glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation remains since it aids post operation recovery and ongoing care of every other joint in the body.

The general rule of thumb is to take at least the maximum recommended daily dose each day for at least three months, spreading the dose throughout the day, rather than taking a lot in fewer doses. It is also highly beneficial to work on balancing one's tissue mineral balance using the Active Elements programme (Accessed via my website www.GaryMoller.com). Exercise regimes may also need to be adjusted to reduce or eliminate risk of further damage to the joint and to strengthen the muscles.

After three months, the doses can be reduced to less than the recommended maximum if you are pain free. However; it is a good idea to keep dribbling the glucosamine and chondroitin into the body. When you know there is a period of excessive stress coming up, such as running or walking a race, section clearing or hiking a long trail, then the dose should be increased in the few days leading to the stressor and then continued for several days after.

I remain a fan of the powder forms of glucosamine and chondroitin due to their value for money and the fact the solution is dissolved before ingestion. If you are going to be traveling about there are pill versions with glucosamine and these are much easier to get through borders like US Customs than a pot of white powder! If you are traveling about, you could just not bother with the glucosamine pills. Your joints will survive without it for weeks and months, given that you have gone through the three months loading phase and the joints have settled.

Do you have a question?
Email Gary: gary at myotec.co.nz (Replace the "at" with @ and remove spaces). Please include any relevant background information to your question.

Results Bring New Hope for Millions Suffering From Arthritis

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funded Study Reveals Glucosamine and Chrondroitin Effective in Treating Moderate to Severe Osteoarthritis Knee Pain

Results Bring New Hope for Millions of Americans Suffering From Arthritis

NEW YORK, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- For 21 million Americans hobbled by osteoarthritis, new science confirms nutritional supplements glucosamine and chrondroitin are the right combination for effective knee pain relief. The Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), funded by NIH, rigorously evaluated the efficacy and safety of glucosamine and chrondroitin in 1,258 people across 16 medical centers, concluding in its abstract that the "combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is effective in treating moderate to severe knee pain due to osteoarthritis." Complete findings from the full study where recently presented at the American College of Rheumatology's Scientific Meeting on November 14, 2005 in San Diego, California.

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (nearly 70 million) live with some from of arthritis, costing the United States $82.5 billion a year in healthcare costs related to treating the illness. For arthritis knee pain sufferers who find relief in taking glucosamine and chondroitin, they will also find the supplements to be great values. Widely used in Europe and Asia for years to treat osteoarthritis in people, glucosamine and chondroitin are safe and effective nutritional supplements, as proven by the GAIT abstract.

To find the full GAIT study visit http://www.rheumatology.org

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Gary Moller Comments:

Here is where I make a confession: In the early days of doing contract rehabilitation work to the ACC with a programme to aid the return to work of longterm ACC Claimants, I was aware of the research being done with greyhounds and race horses with glucosamine and chondoritin. It was being used to some degree in Eastern European countries. In the West, the use of this stuff was frowned upon and, in many quarters, it was completely rubbished.

I knew of a source of the stuff and I now confess that I did quielty encourage a number of our ACC clients who had chronic joint pain to get supplies for themselves. In some cases the results were dramatic; in most the results were good. I never told the ACC Case managers of this: To do so risked cancellation of our contract because the use of Joint Food was not condoned by specialist authorities at the time.

Nowadays, joint food formulations are huge sellers and nobody needs convincing of their effectiveness for mild arthritis. What this study shows, and what I have known for a long time, is these preparations also work with advanced arthritic conditions.

If you have any joint pain, be it knee, hip or back pain, deal with it now! Not later. Give these preparations time to work (at least 3 months at the maximum dose) and start early before the wear and tear is too far gone! The powder formulations are the only ones that I stock because they are by far the most affordable - and they work.

To help you with your shopping, this link takes you to the best selction of joint food formulations