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Question & Answer

We are discussing The Self Management of Arthritis
With Graeme Rossiter, Elizabeth Scrivener and Sally Ranford

Question:
I have osteoarthritis in a number of my joints and a friend told me she gets good relief from taking Glucosamine, which I understand she purchases from a health food shop or supermarket. Is it effective in relieving pain?

Answer:
Elizabeth - The reasoning behind taking glucosamine for osteoarthritis, is that by increasing glucosamine in the diet, you may stimulate the production of the larger molecules in your cartilage and help prevent, or even improve damage that may have already occurred.

From the studies that have been undertaken, it has been shown that it is as beneficial as an anti-inflammatory and maybe a little better. It does not work as fast and normally takes 4-6 weeks to get the same benefit that an anti-inflammatory will give in 2 weeks.

Adverse effects appear to be minimal. The health food preparations of glucosamine are most often derived from the hard skeletons or shells of crabs, lobsters or shrimps. Caution should therefore be used by persons allergic to seafood, although the majority of these are allergic to seafood protein rather than the shells.

The recommended does is 1500-2000 mg per day.

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