How does taking Glucosamine compare to taking NSAIDs for arthritic pain?
A. Clinical evidence suggests that glucosamine helps maintain the joint space and may help rebuild damaged cartilige. By contrast, oral NSAIDs have a propensity to make cartilage deteriorate. Glucosamine also inhibits certain enzymes that destroy cartliage. By blocking pathogenic mechanisms that lead to joint degeneration, glucosamine delays the progression of osteoarthritis and relieves symptoms even for weeks after termination of the treatment. Qiu GX, Gao SN, Giacovelli G., Rovati L, Setnikar I. Efficacy and safety of glucosamine sulfate versus ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoartisis. Arzneimit-telforschung. 1998 May;48(5):469-74 .
