BERN, Switzerland, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Two supplements -- glucosamine and chondroitin -- taken to remedy joint pain do not work, a Swiss researcher says.
Peter Juni at the University of Bern in Switzerland says the supplements taken singularly or in combination to reduce the pain caused by osteoarthritis in hips and knees are not dangerous.
Juni and colleagues see no harm in having patients continue taking them as long as they perceive a benefit and pay for treatment themselves.
"Health authorities and health insurers should not cover the costs for these preparations, and new prescriptions to patients who have not received treatment should be discouraged," Juni says in a statement.
The researchers analyzed the results of 10 published studies involving 3,803 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis and assessed changes in pain after patients took either or both versus a placebo.
