Re: [at-l] Proof for Doubting Orangebugs

["W F Thorneloe, MD (Domain will change soon to attglobal.net)" <thornel@ibm.net>]

At 07:19 PM 11/15/1999 -0500, bullard@northnet.org wrote:
>On the ABC Evening News tonight there was a story about Glucosamine
>Sulfate. It seems that the Arthritis Foundation has found significant
>benefit in taking Glucosamine Sulfate to halt the progress of Rheumatoid
>Arthritis. They noted the decreased loss of cartilage among the study
>participants who took Glucosamine.

While ABC News fails to meet my standards as a medical journal, I have 
tracked down the report from a presentation at the American College of 
Rheumatology convention. The study was well designed, with a single dose of 
Glucosamine 1500 mg daily. Results were impressive with both symptomatic 
and radiological improvement. Of course, this was a European study with a 
controlled compound, not the non-standardized and unpredictable additives 
sold in the US.

What does this mean? Glucosamine is safe and may be helpful in treatment of 
osteoarthritis. It does not mean that this should substitute for other 
treatment, or that standard treatment plus Glucosamine would be better. It 
does not ensure immunity from repetitive injury for those of us trashing 
our knees on the hills of North Georgia and points north. I would make no 
judgement of benefit for at least 12 weeks of routine use.

Of course, discussion with a real world doctor is highly advisable. YMMV

OrangeBug
Atlanta, GA
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