Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance produced by the body for the purpose of producing glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans, the key structural components of joint cartilage. Glucosamine may relieve the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis and slow progression of the disease. Omega 3 essential fatty acids are found in flax seeds, green leafy vegetables, walnuts, and fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Omega 3s help reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of heart disease, arthritis and certain cancers. Now for the first time research reports that a combination of glucosamine and omega-3s improves osteoarthritis symptoms more than glucosamine alone.
The study, published in Advances in Therapy, examined the effects of glucosamine with or without omega-3 fatty acids on patients with osteoarthritis (OA). German researchers administered 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate with or without 200 mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily to 177 patients with hip or knee OA for 26 weeks. Questionnaires regarding pain, stiffness and physical limitations were obtained from the participants prior to treatment, after 13 weeks and after treatment.
The researchers found that 166 patients from both groups reported at least 20 percent reduced pain. However, 44 percent in the combination group reported 80 percent reduced pain, compared with 32 percent in the glucosamine only group. Furthermore, the combination group reported 49 to 56 percent reduced pain and stiffness in the hips and knees, compared with 42 to 55 percent in the glucosamine only group.
"In the global safety evaluation, both products have been demonstrated to be very safe in long-term treatment over 26 weeks," the study authors write. "To our knowledge, this is the first clinical trial in which glucosamine was given in combination with omega-3 fatty acids to patients with OA."
Relieve Osteoarthritis Symptoms with Exomine
Research suggests that natural nutrients like glucosamine not only improve bone and joint health, but also help relieve inflammation, pain and stiffness and improve flexibility.
Progressive Health's Exomine is an all-natural anti-arthritis supplement that offers a natural, non-toxic addition to your osteoarthritis treatment regimen. Exomine contains researched ingredients like glucosamine along with chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, BioCell Collagen II, methylsulfonyl methane (MSM), boswellia, cat's claw, tumeric, ginger, and grape seed extract.
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