Glucosamine Use Associated with 17% Lower Death Rate

Could using glucosamine possibly be over 10 times more effective than cholesterol medications at preventing death?

It appears so! In a study of over 77,000 people, use of glucosamine was associated with a 17% lower risk of dying over 5 years. Meanwhile, in those without known heart disease (called primary prevention), use of cholesterol blockers are associated with less than a 1.5% drop in death rates — making glucosamine over 10 times as effective! Meanwhile, cholesterol drugs can cause muscle pain (including triggering or aggravating fibromyalgia) while costing us over $12 billion a year, and arthritis medicines (called NSAIDS) kill over 16,500 Americans a year from bleeding ulcers. In contrast, glucosamine appears to save thousands of lives and is as effective as arthritis medications — and at a tiny fraction of the cost. Because the natural remedies are cheap, don't expect your doctor to hear about them or this research anytime soon.

Many other natural remedies are also very effective for arthritis — for example, willow bark, boswellia (frankincense) and perhaps even cherries. Fish oil, which can help many ills, was also suggested to be associated with a lower risk of death during the study. None of the supplements checked were associated with an increased risk of death

Seems like natural is a better choice for arthritis — but then natural often is!

Reference

Pocobelli G, Kristal AR, Patterson RE, et al. Total mortality risk in relation to use of less-common dietary supplements. Am J Clin Nutr. Jun 2010;91(6):1791-800.http://www.nhiondemand.com/HSJArticle.aspx?id=868