<p>I keep hearing anecdotal reports that it helps. I also keep hearing anecdotal reports that it can sharply raise cholesterol. So if you are going to try it I’d say see if it helps you and at the same time keep any eye on your cholesterol.</p>
<p>As to the Omega fatty acids…there is a recent report suggesting benefits in depressed kids/adolescents. Pain associated with depression is a recurrent issue as well. Haven’t seen much on omega fatty acids and joints specifically.</p>
<p>I have also seen sam-e advertised to help support bones and joints
It not only is supposedly about as effective as chondrotin, but it acts as mood support through its interaction with neurotransmitters and also is supposed to give liver support which- while I haven’t checked if it helps lower cholesterol, it certainly shouldn’t raise it
<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam-e[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam-e</a></p>
<p>re:adding long chain fatty acids- we don’t get enough usually in our diet and they are supposed to help with brain function
<a href=“http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/business/15795075.htm[/url]”>http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/business/15795075.htm</a></p>
<p>Thank you for all the thoughtful answers and considerations. Coureur–thank you. I too was wondering whether taking a shellfish-derived substance would affect my cholesterol. I bought the non-shellfish version from Trader Joe’s but in truth I don’t know what the substitute is and it might be similar enough that it is a problem–although it might help deal with an allergic issue. I’ll get my cholesterol checked in a month or two. </p>
<p>I guess that maybe this is in the same category as my beloved Airborne!</p>
<p>My hubby is taking “Move Free” & it has made a huge difference for him. He has had surgery on one knee & was considering it for the other when his friend’s wife said her rheumatologist urged her to either try “Move Free” or surgery (she was disabled from work because of arthritic pain). She said it was amazing after she took it as directed for 3 months–she could & now does just about everything. Hubby tried it & noticed that it really helped. Once the pain is down, he takes the smallest possible dose to keep the pain away (which is considerably less than what the manufacturer recommends). He now no longer talks about surgery on his other knee, just wants me to be sure we keep a supply of “Move Free” available–generally find Costco cheapest.</p>
<p>I had knee and shoulder pains and was sold a couple of bottles of expensive stuff. Didn’t help and to my irritation I realized that the chondritan was nothing more than groundup crab/shrimp/bug shells. I ain’t paying for no shrimp shells when any real man eats shrimp whole and spits out only the eyeballs and use the antenni for floss. </p>
<p>The knee and shoulder pain was later found to be a side affect of Tricor, a drug smiliar to statins (which also cause muscle and joint degradation/pain). I suffered many years and buckos because of a misdiagnosed aliment.</p>
<p>Well, it helped my dog (for a few years, anyway) and my husband, and it didn’t help me.</p>
<p>I have (they think!) osteoarthritis in my neck. The neurologist told me to take this stuff. It’s in the grocery bag in the kitchen. Think I’ll go get started (no fish allergies, thank goodness).</p>
<p>Pharmacist here. Our dog has been on it for probably 10 years. He has terrible hips and knees and the primary vet is amazed he still walks. I figure that dog doesn’t know it is supposed to work so the placebo effect is nil. Used to use the expensive stuff because I am want consistent/good bioavailability. Supplements are not regulated like drugs are. Consumers Reports rated one of Kirklands better than the Move Free and Osteo something… Last week the vet specialist told me I could give the Costco stuff but he felt Vet grade was superior. I told him about consumers report and while he didn’t roll his eyes…he felt he was the expert. I was there for Vet’s knowlege of dogs not pills so I felt no need to argue. I laughed with my husband that perhaps we forget the FDA entirely and take Vet products only.<br>
side note-my coworker just had to switch her hypertension med because it caused joint pain. I think of meds as side effects- if it is the effect for something you want-it is what drug is for, if you don’t want it-side effect. </p>
<p>LA</p>
<p>My mom has severe osteo-arthritis and this has helped her immensely over the past 4 years…she would have been a cripple without it for sure!</p>
<p>I second the warning about diabetes and these pills. They actually made it worse for me. My lower legs would swell with considerable pain. Discontinued use and swelling went away.</p>
<p>I am reading a book by Floyd Chilton, “Winning the War Within”. It’s about controlling inflammatory diseases through diet (to be used in conjunction with medical therapy, not in place of). The section I just read spoke about glucosamine and referenced a “New England Journal of Medicinie” article reporting a study released early 2006. According to this study, glucosamine helped joint pain caused by inflammation that was in the moderate to severe range, but for some reason did not make a difference in mild pain.</p>
<p>For anyone interested this book may be a good read. Several of my mother’s friends have tried this plan and swear that the dietary changes made a tremendous difference in their lives.</p>