Topic: Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine in Treating Arthritis

Dr. Lee:
Is there really scientific evidence that these two agents are effective in treating arthritis?

Dr. Shiel:
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate have been used together really without a great deal of scientific proof of their effectiveness for the treatment of arthritis for a number of years. However, over the recent years, there have been studies that have verified originally in Europe and now more recently in the United States, that glucosamine can help to relieve symptoms including pain and stiffness of a specific type of arthritis called osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis.

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Last Editorial Review: 7/6/2004