National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Examines The Efficacy And Safety Of Glucosamine And Chondroitin In Promoting Knee Joint Health

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Initial findings of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) conclude, "combination glucosamine and chondroitin is effective in treating moderate to severe knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA).(1)"

The results from this groundbreaking multi-center trial were presented today in its entirety today at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and give hope to the 35 million Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis. GAIT tested whether glucosamine and chondroitin used separately or in combination, and in comparison to placebo and celecoxib, are effective in reducing pain and improving functional ability in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Jason Theodosakis, M.D., a member of the steering committee for the $14 million NIH study, concludes: "The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin offer effective treatment to the millions of Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis. One very significant finding of GAIT is that the supplements actually outperformed the prescription drug for those with moderate to severe knee pain thus offering relief for those who need it most."

Dr. Theodosakis is the author of #1 bestseller "The Arthritis Cure," (St. Martin's, 1997 -- revised 2004), in which he introduced the American public to glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.

(1) The Efficacy of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in Patients with Painful Knee Osteoarthritis (OA): The Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) Abstract, October 2005

National Institutes of Health

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