If you've been enjoying the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin for your osteoarthritis, the mainstream has a message for you: You're only deluding yourself.
But the real problem here isn't delusional patients... just more delusional researchers.
In an analysis of 10 randomized controlled studies involving nearly 4,000 people, researchers say glucosamine and chondroitin proved no better than a placebo when it came to relieving osteoarthritis pain, and they had no effect on the narrowing joint spaces that mark the condition.
What's more, the researchers declared that the two supplements didn't work on their own... and didn't work in combination. They also wrote in BMJ that anyone who wants these supplements should have to pay for them on his or her own--because health insurers shouldn't be allowed to cover anything this ineffective.
It's such a thorough dismissal that you might wonder what the millions of people who swear by these supplements could possibly be thinking.
But I have to wonder what these researchers were thinking instead--because while 10 trials and 4,000 people may sound impressive, the most significant part of this study isn't what the researchers included... but what they left out.
They actually cherry-picked those 10 trials from a pool of 58 possible studies that were eligible--completely ignoring the dozens of legitimate and respectable studies that have found a strong link between glucosamine and chondroitin and real pain relief.
For example, the long-term GAIT study found that glucosamine and chondroitin offered statistically significant pain relief for participants with moderate-to- severe pain.
In fact, 79 percent of those taking the supplement experienced a 20 percent or greater reduction in pain, versus 54 percent of those given the placebo, according to that study.
And it's not the only one.
A placebo-controlled study out of Belgium found that, after three years, patients taking glucosamine improved, while those on a placebo worsened. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, also found that the supplements led to a clear improvement on joint space narrowing.
But the researchers behind the new analysis don't want to talk about these or any of the other studies that have found real benefits for glucosamine and chondroitin.
In fact, they don't want to talk about it at all anymore-- because despite the glaring flaws in their analysis, the study authors have declared that no further research is needed.
That's it--they've answered every question by selecting a limited number of studies that painted the picture they were looking for.
When it comes to the heights of arrogance, these guys have reached rarified air.
"We believe it unlikely that future trials will show a clinically relevant benefit of any of the evaluated preparations," they wrote--knowing full well that another major study on these supplements is under way right now, with results due late next year.
What don't they want you to see--and why are they in such a hurry to discredit it before it's even published?
I guess we'll find out next year.
In the meantime, feel free to keep taking the glucosamine-- but if you've suffered from prostate cancer, skip the chondroitin. Studies have found that it may help prostate cancer cells to grow and spread... and while the evidence isn't especially strong, there's no reason to risk it when glucosamine alone is often highly effective.
Dietary changes--such as the elimination of nightshade vegetables--may also provide arthritis relief, as well as some of the natural menthol-based over-the-counter topical ointments.
When you find something that works for you, stick with it-- and don't let the mainstream trick you into thinking otherwise. P.S. Keep your eye on krill oil. A new study on mice finds this great source of omega-3 fatty acids may provide relief of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis--and may even reduce inflammation levels better than ordinary fish oil.
On a mission for your health,
Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls
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