Glucosamine
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Although ingredient appears to be "very safe," corporate involvement and non-uniform endpoints in osteoarthritis studies make it difficult to recommend treatment, Paul Dieppe, et al., University of Bristol, England, say in June 16 British Medical Journal editorial. Rationale for glucosamine use is unclear and "appropriate dose and route of administration remain unknown," editorial points out. Although recent Lancet study demonstrated radiographic changes in cartilage, Dieppe et al. question whether such measures indicate long-term improvement and call for "large clinical trials, without company interference" (1"The Tan Sheet" Jan. 29, p. 4)