Glucosamine's worth dismissed

[Guest guest]

Glucosamine's worth dismissed

& Cranberries for the heart

 

By PAUL TAYLOR

Friday, October 29, 2004 - Page A21

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20041029/HTAYLOR2\

9/TPHealth/

 

People who take glucosamine supplements to ease the pain and stiffness

of arthritis are likely just wasting their money, according to the

results of a new study.

 

Dr. Jolanda Cibere, of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada in

Vancouver, followed the progress of 137 osteoarthritis patients and

found no long-term benefit from the popular supplement.

 

All the patients had been taking glucosamine for about two years prior

to the study and reported feeling at least " moderate improvement " with

the treatment. During the study, however, the patients were randomly

assigned to receive either the supplements or placebos for six months.

The results showed that people taking glucosamine actually did

marginally worse than those getting the dummy pills. About 45 per cent

of them had an arthritis flare-up (more pain and stiffness), compared

with 42 per cent in the placebo group.

 

Glucosamine occurs naturally in cartilage, which acts a cushion between

knee and other joints. Supplement advocates believe that taking

glucosamine can help prevent cartilage breakdown which contributes to

osteoarthritis, " but that claim has not been substantiated, " Dr. Cibere

said in an interview.

 

She said her study showed " maintenance with glucosamine is of no

benefit. " The supplements can cost from $15 to $50 a month.

 

Cranberries for the heart

 

Cranberry juice might soon join red wine as a heart-healthy drink.

 

Researchers at Laval University in Quebec City found that red cranberry

juice can boost HDL, the so-called good cholesterol, by 8 per cent. The

role of HDL is to ferry excess LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol, to

the liver where it is then dumped from the body.

 

For the study, the researchers used a " light " cranberry drink (Ocean

Spray Light Cranberry Cocktail), which is artificially sweetened with

aspartame. Benoît Lamarche, one of the researchers, said a " light " drink

was selected because a product containing natural sugar could boost

levels of triglycerides -- blood fats that can contribute to heart disease.

 

The 30 men who took part in the 12-week study drank a cup (250

millilitres) each day.

 

Dr. Lamarche isn't sure why cranberry juice increases HDL levels but

suspects it is related to a high content of flavonoids -- also found in

red wine. The study was partly funded by the Canadian Cranberry Growers

Association. Fibre to the rescue

 

Toronto researchers say they have developed a " super fibre " that could

help in the battle of bulge.

 

Scientists have long known that fibre-rich foods -- such as those

containing oat bran and psyllium -- promote weight loss. The fibre

essentially fills up the stomach and slows digestion. But people have to

eat a lot of the stuff for it to have a noticeable effect.

 

Now, University of Toronto scientists have combined three compounds to

create a more filling fibre. The product, known as PGX, is made from sea

weed, a Japanese root called konjac manna (or glucomann) and the dried

cells of a micro-organism.

 

The concoction is spiced up with fruit flavouring and mixed with water.

Drunk before a meal, it dampens the appetite. Lead researcher Dr.

Vladimir Vuksan, who also works at St. Michael's Hospital, said studies

show that people eat about 100 fewer calories per meal. " If we translate

this to three drinks a day before meals, that would cut 300 calories a

day, or two pounds every two to three weeks, or 35 pounds a year, " Dr.

Vuksan told CTV News.

 

The researchers are working with companies to market their product.