2006-02-24 - National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA)
Study’s overall findings positive for sufferers of osteoarthritis;
Popular over-the-counter supplements found to provide significant
pain relief.
WASHINGTON, DC (February 23, 2006) - A study published in today’s
edition of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) suggesting
that two very popular supplements— glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate—provide significant pain relief is very positive news for
thousands of arthritis sufferers, according to one of the dietary
supplement industry’s leading trade associations, the National
Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA).
Despite negative reports surrounding NEJM’s article, overall
findings of NIH GAIT study indicate that both supplements actually
work better than the prescribed Celebrex (celecoxib) in effectively
reducing moderate to severe pain from the most common forms of
arthritis.
“The
NEJM’s findings that two popular supplements actually work better
than a popular prescription medication underscore what millions of
consumers already know. That is, natural products and dietary
supplements, when used properly, hold great potential for improving
health and well-being,” said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., NNFA’s vice
president of science and quality assurance. “The combination of
glucosamine and chondroitin demonstrates efficacy and safety beyond
that of the pharmaceutical intervention, and consumers should take
notice of this good news.”
The
Arthritis Foundation estimates that more than 66 million Americans
live with chronic joint symptoms and nearly 23 million people live
with symptoms but have not been diagnosed by a doctor. At least five
million Americans use the two supplements studied either alone or
together, government figures show.
Significantly, the NIH GAIT study concluded that glucosamine and
chondroitin are effective in helping people who suffer the most from
osteoarthritis, those who experience moderate to extreme pain.
An
estimated 187 million American adults take dietary supplements. A
majority of supplement users recently polled cite the most prevalent
reason for taking supplements is to improve their overall health and
well being.
“This
study is further proof that dietary supplements can play an integral
role in consumer’s daily lifestyle and overall health,” said
Fabricant. “Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health
problems in today’s society, and with the use of certain dietary
supplements, consumers can empower themselves to lead healthier and
more productive lives, while potentially reducing health care costs
to the U.S. health care system and reliance on prescription
medications.”
The
six-month NIH GAIT study involved 1,500 osteoarthritis patients who
were given a placebo or daily doses of 1,500/mg of glucosamine
hydrochloride and/or 1,200 mg of chondroitin sulfate or 200 mg of
the common prescription pain medication celecoxib.
Daniel
Fabricant, Ph.D., is the new vice president of scientific affairs
for NNFA. An expert in dietary supplements for women’s health,
sports nutrition, and quality analysis of botanical products,
Fabricant comes to NNFA with more than a decade of research and
practical experience with natural products.
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