Alas, this has not been the case. As with all natural products, there seems to be a major resistance by conventional medical practitioners to try something new. As well, there often appears in the face of a natural product's success, a series of doomsayers and quasi-scientific doubters. In the case of glucosamine, questions were raised concerning the length of the trials, the research methodology, the fact that these were European studies, the false notion that glucosamine induces glucose intolerance and poses a health threat by creating unstable blood sugar problems. We have seen this scenario all too often. Recall the flurry of negative and condescending media publicity surrounding Dr. Linus Pauling’s pronouncements about Vitamin C in the 70’s. This giant of a scientist who won 2 Noble Prizes and contributed so much to the American scientific community, was suddenly a pariah due to his promotion of Vitamin C as a disease preventive.
Why the medical community is so molded over with caution and doubt continues to be a mystery to me. Often times, it is worse than caution; new products are met with harsh criticism and ridicule, even by those who are less than well informed. Up until now, glucosamine has often been viewed in this light. I say ‘up to now’ because in yet another case of conventional medicine “observing the commonplace and stating the obvious” to quote the late Dr. Robert Rodale of Prevention Magazine fame, the esteemed medical journal Lancet has reported on a landmark study of this useful product.
In it edition of January 27, 2001, Lancet attempts to bring its readers on side by highlighting the glucosamine debate. The study involved 212 osteoarthritic patients who received either a placebo or 1500 mg. of glucosamine sulfate per day for 3 years. At the end of the study the placebo group reported a 10% increase in OA symptoms, a further loss of joint space at the knee and other x-ray signs showing a progression of the disease. The glucosamine group reported a decrease of overall symptoms and no further deterioration of their condition by all measures.
