Nutramax Laboratories Release: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Supports Effect Of CosaminDS On CRP, A Key Systemic Biomarker

EDGEWOOD, Md., March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutramax Laboratories^® announced today the publication of a clinical study carried out at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. This National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study, showed the combination of FCHG49^® glucosamine hydrochloride and TRH122^® chondroitin sulfate (Cosamin^®DS) reduced levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a key systemic biomarker. The study results are published in PLoS One, an international, peer-reviewed, open-access, online journal.

The reduction in CRP may help to explain the findings of the VITAL (VITamins and Lifestyle) study, a large prospective epidemiological study also conducted at Fred Hutch correlating the use of dietary supplements (n = 77,738 participants) to health outcomes. That study found that participants who were users of glucosamine and chondroitin had a lower risk of certain health conditions.

"We designed our trial as a follow-up to VITAL, as we were intrigued by the findings associated with the glucosamine/chondroitin combined supplementation," commented Dr. Sandi Navarro, Ph.D., research scientist and lead author of the paper. "We are pleased to have identified a possible biologic mechanism to support those findings."

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study assessed the effects of 28 days of administration of glucosamine hydrochloride (1,500 mg/day) plus chondroitin sulfate (1,200 mg/day) in 18 adult patients (9 men and 9 women) who were healthy and overweight (body mass index 25.0 to 32.5 kg/m²). The investigators found that serum concentrations of CRP were 23% lower after glucosamine/chondroitin administration compared to placebo (P=0.048). Additionally, glucosamine and chondroitin also affected several other pathways, where the two ingredients effects were significantly different from placebo. The most significant difference was a reduction in the "cytokine activity" pathway after combination therapy, compared to placebo (P=2.6 x 10^-16).

"Our results are consistent with observational studies reporting an association between glucosamine and chondroitin and circulating concentrations of CRP," said Dr. Navarro. "A major strength of this study is that participants were healthy and free of underlying conditions that might have affected the results." 

"To my knowledge, the Fred Hutch study is the first to directly demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in high-sensitivity CRP following daily consumption of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, in a controlled trial," noted Dr. Brian Cornblatt, Medical Director of Nutramax Laboratories. "The results, which were evident after only 28 days, further support what we have been observing in our laboratory research." The Fred Hutch study adds to the growing body of clinical evidence that makes Cosamin^®DS the most researched glucosamine/chondroitin product available." *

Nutramax Laboratories^® exceeds dietary supplement Good Manufacturing Standards (GMPs) and supplied the FCHG49^® glucosamine hydrochloride and TRH122^® chondroitin sulfate (Cosamin^®DS joint health supplement) used in the Fred Hutch study. 

About the Nutramax Laboratories Family of Companies:
Since 1992, Christian-based Nutramax Laboratories has been developing products for people and their pets. Nutramax Laboratories Consumer Care, Inc., located in Edgewood, Maryland, focuses on researching and developing products to promote consumer health. Located in Lancaster, South Carolina, Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences, Inc. researches and develops high quality products to support animal health. Nutramax Manufacturing, Inc. manufactures products in both the Maryland and South Carolina locations.

Cosamin Joint Health Supplements, including the original, Cosamin^®DS and Advanced Formula Cosamin^®ASU, are available in the U.S. to help support and promote joint health.

* Based on published studies in U.S. peer-reviewed journals, the Cosamin^®brand, is the most researched glucosamine/chondroitin brand.

Cosamin^®DS contains FCHG49^® Glucosamine and TRH122^® Chondroitin Sulfate, Nutramax Laboratories^® proprietary researched specifications.

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SOURCE Nutramax Laboratories