An experiment

I am a 53 year old middle-age man whose knees are starting to talk to me as a result of years of training I have done. The karate, longer distance running and more recently sprinting, plyometrics, higher volume bodyweight stuff, and now the Olympic lift training along with aging are the culprits. I'm not in major pain by any stretch of the imagination, but I do have some days in which I am noticing things are different.

So I have decided to undergo a 60 day experiment taking a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement that I purchased today at Costco. I've surfed the net and found all these sites selling this supplement, claiming that their product is better because of this and that. What I have noticed for sure is that it generally costs a heck of alot more.

I have talked to various acquaintances and friends who have taken a similar supplement and it seems that for every person who says it has helped them there is one who says they didn't notice any benefit.

I've been imprisoned in prior years by supplements and actually liberated myself from them a couple years ago and feel alot better about it. So it is with much hesitation that I made today's purchase. The product I bought (actually Costco only has two different products) tells me to take 2 capsules a day and it provides the following:

Vitamin C - 60 mg
Manganese- 2 mg
Sodium - 30 mg
Glucosamine HCI - 1,500 mg
Joint Shield proprietary blend - 1,350 mg
Chondroitin/MSM Complex - 1,250 mg
5 Loxin AKBA Boswellia serrata extract - 100 mg
Boron - 3 mg

I'll periodially post my observations from this experiment.

[lsuguy1]

keep us updated.

[.V.]

YOu won't need that long for the experiment.

Approximately the same relief as ibuprofen, but without the kidney risk involved. The only risk is to some diabetics having more problem with blood sugar on it. I can't tell you the mechanism by which that happens though.

Anyway, it works great for some ppl. Not at all for others.

If you are a responder, or a non responder, you will know within two weeks.

Good luck with it.

[Bob44]

I have been taking Glucosamine for the last 5 years. The ones I am currently taking have 1500mg D-glucosamine sulfate, 1200mg Chondroitin sulfate and 500mg MSM per serving (3 tablets). I normally take one in the morning and 1 at supper and one during the day or at night if I feel sore. For me I feel a need for help with my joints more in the winter time.

I usually start in november and go through march with the supplements. This year I am going longer because I bought extra tablets through a cheap mail offer. I have wondered if it is only the cold in the winter or if the dryness may also be a factor.

I have considered getting a whirlpool bathtub for my joints. I have a friend that works construction and he swears by soaking in hot water after being cold all day helps his joints.

I will be watching for the results of your experiment. The good side is the older you get, the more accurate your body can predict weather fronts by listening to your joints.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by Bob44

The good side is the older you get, the more accurate your body can predict weather fronts by listening to your joints.

haha! Cool, P you should be a meteorologist.

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by .V.

YOu won't need that long for the experiment.

Approximately the same relief as ibuprofen, but without the kidney risk involved. The only risk is to some diabetics having more problem with blood sugar on it. I can't tell you the mechanism by which that happens though.

Anyway, it works great for some ppl. Not at all for others.

If you are a responder, or a non responder, you will know within two weeks.

Good luck with it.

Are you sure you are not mixing it up with the antiinflammatory curcumin?

Glucosamine and chrondrotin work differently to nsaids and need to be given the two months to correctly judge benefits
Glucosmaine is taken up into the carrtilage chondrotin retains water. Basically you are getting new cartilage and it is a slow process.

[LiftGirl]

All I know about glucosamine and chondroitin is that my cat takes it for cystitis (a chronic bladder inflammation). Glucosamine is supposed to help rebuild the layer of mucus protecting the bladder from noxious chemicals in urine.

Her condition is well-controlled, but I can't say if it's the glucosamine/chondroitin, the other med she's on, the special food or the extra water I've been spiking her food with.

[.V.]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

Are you sure you are not mixing it up with the antiinflammatory curcumin?

Glucosamine and chrondrotin work differently to nsaids and need to be given the two months to correctly judge benefits
Glucosmaine is taken up into the carrtilage chondrotin retains water. Basically you are getting new cartilage and it is a slow process.

I have no idea how they work. I said the relief they give is about the same as with ibuprofen. How long to tell if they work or not for your body? Every pharmacist and physician I've spoken in person to about them says the same...take it for two weeks and if it helps, keep using it. If it doesnt, it's not going to.

[mesomorph]

Our latest consumer advocate magazine here in Australia "Choice Magazine" www.choice.com.au. gave a verdict that if you think it's giving you a benefit then continue taking it. The consensus of scientific opinion is that it has little or no effect on joint pain other than a placebo. There would be more benefit in continuing your active lifestyle and managing your discomfort by training smarter not harder. I'm 52 yrs old and know where you're coming from pierini. Judicious use of anti inflammatory tabs when needed, ice, active rest sessions, constant evaluation of exercise regime. The only tabs I take are a multi vitamin, a protein shake and creatine.
Like yourself, pain is minimal and manageable. Good luck mate

[Gooseneck]

I've always thought it needed to be taken for several months to see any healing benefits. It may have some anti-inflammatory characteristics to it, but you cant regrow damaged tissue over night.

[.V.]

I always thought that too. Then a pharmacist told me it really doesn't regrow anything in her opinion. Was unsure so asked a few more and some physicians. The consensus from them was that it just gives anti inflammatory type relief.

But as you all know...I have NOT read any studies. Just working from what they told me and that it does help me after about two weeks when I take it in winter time.

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by .V.

I have no idea how they work. I said the relief they give is about the same as with ibuprofen. How long to tell if they work or not for your body? Every pharmacist and physician I've spoken in person to about them says the same...take it for two weeks and if it helps, keep using it. If it doesnt, it's not going to.

iM sorry but thats wrong. Gooseneck is right its a long term benefit on top of the anti-inflammatory actions it shows.

[Maxgain]

Effect of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of pain of osteoarthritis of the knee

A significant difference was noted from Week 5 through Week 8 in the knee examination (p = 0.026) and in the response to a daily diary pain question (p = 0.018).

Structural and Symptomatic Efficacy of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in Knee Osteoarthritis
A Comprehensive Meta-analysis
Our results demonstrated a highly significant efficacy of glucosamine on all outcomes, including joint space narrowing and WOMAC. Chondroitin was found to be effective on Lequesne Index, visual analog scale pain, mobility, and responding status. Safety was excellent for both compounds.

[Maxgain]

Glucosamine sulfate compared to ibuprofen in osteoarthritis of the knee.

Muller-Fassbender H, Bach GL, Haase W, Rovati LC, Setnikar I.

Rheumazentrum, Bad Abbach, Germany.

Glucosamine sulfate is able to stimulate proteoglycan synthesis by chondrocytes and has mild anti-inflammatory properties. In clinical trials, glucosamine sulfate was more effective than placebo in controlling the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). In order to better characterize this therapeutic activity, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study of glucosamine sulfate 500 mg t.i.d. vs ibuprofen 400 mg t.i.d., orally for 4 weeks. The study included 200 hospitalized patients with active OA of the knee, symptoms for at least 3 months and a Lequesne's index of at least 7 points. Patients were evaluated weekly. Response was defined as a reduction in the Lequesne's index by at least 2 points if the enrollment value was higher than 12 points, or by at least 1 point if the enrollment value was 12 or less points, together with a positive overall assessment by the investigator. The improvement tended to be sooner under ibuprofen (48% responders vs 28% after the 1st treatment week; P = 0.06, Fisher's Exact test), but there was no difference from the 2nd week onward, with a success rate of 52% in the ibuprofen group and of 48% in the glucosamine group (P = 0.67) at the end of treatment. The average Lequesne's index at enrollment was around 16 points and decreased by over 6 points in both groups, again with the above described trend. On the other hand, 35% of patients on ibuprofen reported adverse events, mainly of gastrointestinal origin, vs 6% adverse events with glucosamine (P < 0.001, Fisher's Exact test). The number of adverse event related drop-outs was different between the two groups (7% vs 1%, respectively; P = 0.035). Glucosamine sulfate was therefore as effective as ibuprofen on symptoms of knee OA. These data confirm glucosamine sulfate as a safe symptomatic Slow Acting Drug for OA.

Thanks for the reads Max.

Well today marks the 7th day of my experiment. I have taken my two horse capsules prescribed daily dose each day. That is about all I have to report right now.

This confirms that I enjoy the liberation of being supplement free but I will continue on for the 60 days I indicated.