Glucosamine’s treatment’s for osteoarthritis has only placebo effect

Many Australians are putting their faith in an alternative treatment to relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis but there is no longer reliable scientific evidence that it works, according to a CHOICE report.

The consumer advocate says the more research that’s done into glucosamine the weaker the evidence it does much to relieve the pain of the condition. More than 1.3 million in Australian are affected by osteoarthritis, a condition caused by the loss or damage of cartilage in the joints.

CHOICE says while many swear by the effectiveness of glucosamine, which is derived from shells of prawns and other crustaceans, clinical trials show a large placebo effect where people feel less pain despite taking only dummy pills.

The only recent trials which have found glucosamine benefits sufferers have been sponsored by a pharmaceutical company.

“A study of all the research available suggests that – despite its popularity among osteoarthritis sufferers – there’s little evidence to suggest taking products containing glucosamine offers anything other than a placebo effect,” said CHOICE media spokeswoman, Elise Davidson.

“Lifestyle treatments, such as low-impact exercise like walking and swimming, are better ways to treat osteoarthritis.”