Does Glucosamine Really Work?

20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, often caused when the cartilage that cushions joints wears down over time.

For years, European doctors have prescribed glucosamine for osteoarthritis, and it is one of the more popular supplements in America. But does it work?

A new long-term study published in the Lancet found that those with mild-to-moderate knee arthritis who were taking 1,500 mg of purified glucosamine had less pain than those in a placebo group. X-rays also showed that the arthritis progressed slowly, if at all, in those taking glucosamine, while those in the placebo group continued to lose cartilage.

Although this study is not conclusive, it supports what other studies have shown: Glucosamine can be effective for relieving the pain and progression of osteoarthritis. And, unlike prescription and over-the-counter pain medications, these benefits come without adverse side effects.