Flag on the Play

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

 

 

Flag on the Play

Mon, 06 Dec 2004 08:33:20 -0500

 

Flag on the Play

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

 

December 06, 2004

 

 

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Dear Reader,

 

Time for a reality check.

 

In the e-Alert " Ready to Rumble " (12/1/04), I told you about

a study that found glucosamine to be less effective than a

placebo in relieving arthritis pain. In what was described as a

" long-term study, " arthritis patients were followed for only

six months. So where does the " long term " come in? All of

the subjects had previously found glucosamine to be effective

over a two-year period. The researchers were counting those

two years as part of the complete study period.

 

If this were football there would be a flag on the play. To say

the least.

 

The dubious conclusion of that study (which found

glucosamine to be less effective than placebo) does a

disservice to anyone who is looking for a natural way to

relieve arthritis symptoms. So today we'll take a look at

another glucosamine study. The difference between the two?

This one holds up quite well to a reality check.

 

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Joint space

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Glucosamine sulfate is an amino sugar that's one of the

primary components of cartilage. As we age, our bodies

produce less glucosamine, which can inhibit the production

of the synovial fluid necessary to maintain healthy joints and

cartilage. When synovial fluid is diminished, the stage is set

for the development of osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints

such as the knees.

 

Glucosamine is also found in shellfish shells, which is the

source of glucosamine supplements. Based on previous

studies that have shown the effectiveness of these

supplements in reducing inflammation and increasing the

production of cartilage, researchers in Liege, Belgium,

designed a trial to examine the effect of glucosamine sulfate

on long-term symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in

postmenopausal women. (Women tend to develop OA more

than men do.)

 

As reported in the journal Menopause, the Belgium team

analyzed the results of two separate trials that followed more

than 300 postmenopausal women with knee OA for a period

of three years in both trials. Radiographic images of the

subjects' knees were used to establish minimal joint space

width at the beginning and end of the trial period. Severity of

symptoms for each subject was also recorded.

 

The overall results showed that the OA symptoms of women

who took glucosamine improved, while symptoms in the

placebo group worsened. But even more dramatic were the

radiographic image comparisons. Less than 7 percent of the

women in the glucosamine group showed a significant joint

space narrowing, while more than 20 percent of the placebo

group experienced significant narrowing.

 

In their conclusion, the researchers noted that the results

demonstrated for the first time that glucosamine may

effectively inhibit the progression of knee OA, while also

relieving OA symptoms in postmenopausal women.

 

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Patience rewarded

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If you suffer from OA or another form of arthritis and you

and your doctor decide to give glucosamine sulfate

supplements a try, keep in mind that results may not be

immediate.

 

In the e-Alert " C-ing Double " (6/12/03), I told you about a

study conducted by researchers at the University of Western

Australia. Fifty volunteers who experienced knee pain from

cartilage damage or long-term wear and tear were followed

for 12 weeks. Half the group took 2,000 milligrams of

glucosamine daily, and the other half took a placebo. Almost

90 percent of the glucosamine group reported at least some

amount of improvement after 12 weeks, compared to just 17

percent taking the placebo.

 

More importantly, most of the improvements for those taking

glucosamine weren't noticed over the first eight weeks of

treatment. Many subjects who reported no relief at all in the

first two months eventually began improving. And because

the overall trend was toward improvement, the authors of the

study concluded that continued use might provide steadily

increasing relief.

 

So don't be discouraged if results are minimal at first,

because even eight weeks may not be long enough to

determine if glucosamine supplements will be effective for

you.

 

And one final note: Some studies suggest that glucosamine

may interfere with the regulation of blood sugar levels, and

may also play a role in insulin resistance. In two major

studies, however, subjects showed little or no change in

blood sugar levels. Nevertheless, there appears to be a basis

for concern, so researchers advise glucosamine users who

have diabetes to make more frequent checks of their blood

sugar levels.

 

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....and another thing

 

An HSI member named Larry wants to clear up some

confusion about supplements.

 

In an e-mail, Larry writes: " I have severe prostate cancer. I

have been fighting for six years and I am holding my own.

My problem is that there are so many different supplements

mentioned by so many different people that the subject has

become very confusing. Could you please write on this

subject and explain the supplements and the dosage at one

time in order to clear up the confusion? "

 

Glad to help, Larry. I asked HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D.,

to give us his take on Larry's question.

 

Dr. Spreen: " I would use a high-dose multi (at least 50

milligrams of each numbered 'B'...B-1, B-2, B-6), I'd avoid

supplements with iron (only dessicated liver if he needs iron

– you don't want additional free radicals running around),

minimum additional vitamin C of 1000 milligrams 3x/day,

plus anything to improve the immune system in general. First

to come to mind would be glutathione, but there are many,

MANY supplements that stimulate immunity at large.

 

" The list can get as lengthy as the bank account permits. As

for the diet, I'd consider cutting way back on the red meat,

and I'd increase digestive enzymes, freeing up the body, so to

speak, to apply more energy – and enzymes – to fighting the

battle at hand instead of just breaking down red meat fibers.

 

" However, the key point here, after the diagnosis is made, is

that supplements alone at this stage should not be considered

therapeutic – only adjunctive until a good doc gets involved. "

 

Dr. Spreen also notes that severe prostate cancer should not

be taken lightly, especially if the patient is less than 60 years

old. He writes: " If I were involved in such a struggle, and I

were interested in non-toxic (i.e.; alternative) approaches, I'd

be under the strict care of a practitioner who had been

involved in such fights for years. Practitioners include

Jonathan Wright, M.D., of Tacoma, WA; one of the doctors

at the Atkins' Center in New York, and Hugh Riordan, M.D.,

of Wichita, KS. "

 

Hopefully this information will be helpful – and healthful –

to Larry and others who are coping with prostate cancer.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute

 

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Sources:

" Glucosamine Sulfate Reduces Osteoarthritis Progression in

Postmenopausal Women With Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence

From Two 3-Year Studies " Menopause, Vol. 11, No. 2,

March/April 2004, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

" Glucosamine Sulfate Reduces Arthritis Progress in

Postmenopausal Women " Life Extension Foundation,

3/19/04, lef.org

" The Effect of Glucosamine Supplementation on People

Experiencing Regular Knee Pain " British Journal of Sports

Medicine, Vol. 37, 2003, bjsm.bmjjournals.com

 

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