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Glucosamine

post #1 of 29
1/31/10 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone have any success using this supplement for knees? My knees are getting worse and Glucosamine has been recommended by several people. Studies seem to show it works.
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post #2 of 29
1/31/10 at 2:19pm
If you think it will work, it will work. I'd stick with ibuprofen.
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post #3 of 29
1/31/10 at 5:33pm
Why would you want to take a drug to treat the symptom, instead of using a supplement that mitigates the cause? Well designed studies have found that about 50% of the population gets relief from knee pain by taking glucosamine, and that it may prevent further deterioration of the joint due to osteoarthritis. Of course, if that's not the cause of your knee pain then glucosamine likely won't have any benefit for you.
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post #4 of 29
1/31/10 at 5:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by greg_atlanta View Post
If you think it will work, it will work. I'd stick with ibuprofen.

NSAIDs have side effects
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post #5 of 29
2/1/10 at 5:18pm
get it, trust me its just as important as protein imo atleast if you hit the gym hard, if youre having problems then get it
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post #6 of 29
2/1/10 at 9:11pm
I started taking glucosamine (with chondroitin?) while running. I was unaware of any "good" studies supporting its use. I didn't find that it helped my knees stop crackling. OR, it takes 3-6 months to start working. I still take it, but I actually feel that back squats have helped my knees more than anything else, which I dropped running for.

That's a mess, but the point is... 6 weeks of back squats appeared to make my knees stop crackling, while 3 months of glucosamine and running didn't.
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post #7 of 29
2/1/10 at 10:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by db_ggmm View Post
I started taking glucosamine (with chondroitin?) while running. I was unaware of any "good" studies supporting its use. I didn't find that it helped my knees stop crackling. OR, it takes 3-6 months to start working. I still take it, but I actually feel that back squats have helped my knees more than anything else, which I dropped running for.

That's a mess, but the point is... 6 weeks of back squats appeared to make my knees stop crackling, while 3 months of glucosamine and running didn't.

While I like squats be aware I slipped a disk doing them, took a year to get back to where I can deadlift. Lots of other people have had problems too. They are very good for many things but they aren't magic. In fact lots of people have knee problems from them (please don't quote rippetoe).
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post #8 of 29
2/1/10 at 10:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by db_ggmm View Post
I started taking glucosamine (with chondroitin?) while running. I was unaware of any "good" studies supporting its use. I didn't find that it helped my knees stop crackling. OR, it takes 3-6 months to start working. I still take it, but I actually feel that back squats have helped my knees more than anything else, which I dropped running for.

That's a mess, but the point is... 6 weeks of back squats appeared to make my knees stop crackling, while 3 months of glucosamine and running didn't.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Deluks917 View Post
While I like squats be aware I slipped a disk doing them, took a year to get back to wear I can deadlift. Lots of other people have had problems too. They are very good for many things but they aren't magic. In fact lots of people have knee problems from them (please don't quote rippetoe).

I believe the reported benefits have only been shown for diagnosed osteoarthritis
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post #9 of 29
2/1/10 at 11:00pm
Have you looked into fish oil? Fish oil is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids. A lot of people in the wrestling/grappling community take this as the sport is tough on your joints. I notice a difference after supplementing with fish oil.
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post #10 of 29
2/1/10 at 11:03pm
There have been good, controlled studies that show that glucosamine+chondroiton sulfate work after around 4 months of usage. However, the Cochran Library, which does meta analysis of these studies, has concluded that there's no statistically strong evidence that they do work.

Is it still worth a try? I'd say yes - as long as you buy a quality product that can be absorbed and available for usage in the joints. Not all of these supplements are the same, and it takes an effort to shop around to find the right kinds. Not too much of an effort, mind you, but just realize that there is some crap out there. This does beat ibuprofen/NSAIDs in the long run because you are trying to augment the mechanics within the joint by increasing the shock absorption of the synovial fluid and cartilage while decreasing the friction during motion. NSAIDs can be used from time to time for pain and swelling maintenance, but its scope of function is limited.
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post #11 of 29
2/1/10 at 11:09pm
Glucosamine is one of the very few supplements that have solid science confirming their efficacy: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...ucosamine.html
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post #12 of 29
2/1/10 at 11:09pm
It seems that all the studies that show glucosamine helps are from Europe. Other studies including the NIH's GAIT study were generally negative. There's also exceptionally high placebo response rates in the studies.

I don't know of any good study that shows it affects the natural history of osteoarthritis.

But since it's generally safe, if you think it works, then go ahead and use it.
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post #13 of 29
2/2/10 at 12:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deluks917 View Post
While I like squats be aware I slipped a disk doing them, took a year to get back to where I can deadlift. Lots of other people have had problems too. They are very good for many things but they aren't magic. In fact lots of people have knee problems from them (please don't quote rippetoe).

Nah, I am pretty sure that they are magic. Straight up Copperfield shit. Get with the program.
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post #14 of 29
2/2/10 at 4:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timbaland View Post
Have you looked into fish oil? Fish oil is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids. A lot of people in the wrestling/grappling community take this as the sport is tough on your joints. I notice a difference after supplementing with fish oil.

I forgot about fish oil. I used to use it a couple of years ago but I guess I just forgot about it. I didn't know it was good for joints.
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post #15 of 29
2/2/10 at 7:14pm
I've been taking glucosamine sulfate for years thanks to my knee and shoulder. It definitely helps.
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