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 HOT Topics! Joint Health Not living up t... | |
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Not living up to the hype for G & C
Posted: 08 Mar 06 1:39 PM |
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Now that the GAIT study has been published it is interesting to watch the various interpretations of the data. For those active in the NHP industry the response is often one of validation. For the medical community and majority of the lay press there is the failure to demonstrate any benefits (above placebo).
Scientifically, when one looks at the overall data, the size of the study and the design, the general conclusion is that glucosamine and chondroitin, singularly and collectively is not effective in the management of osteoarthritis. There is a small subset of severely impaired individuals that appear to respond but only to the combination and not the individual components.
What is this telling us? It is telling us that this industry sector with its massive sales, is vulnerable to new innovative market entries. Why? Lack of effectiveness, price, slow onset and consumer confusion are the main drivers.
As these NHPs are merely substrates for extracellular matrix (cartilage, bone, collagen etc.) it is not surprising, as the inherent disease process is unaffected (the damage continues), the symptoms of inflammation persist, and repair is not directly enhanced. While glucosamine and chondroitin are used in repair they are not in of themselves processes of repair. In other words they are instruments used in repair but not regulate repair processes. If these are dormant than glucosamine and chondroitin are ineffective. The GAIT study suggests that is the case for most subjects with osteoarthritis.
So what is needed are new approaches that (1) mitigate damage by blocking the disease process leading to joint destruction (2) work rapidly and (3) activate repair processes so we progress to a position where joint architecture and function is actually restored. When that is widely available then the public will be well served. Until that point there will be more confusion and opinions but not major health benefits.
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