Arthritis is a debilitating and painful condition that affects millions of people worldwide. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms. Some people with arthritis turn to supplements in an effort to find relief.
Recent research has linked two supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, to a build-up of ‘needle-shaped’ crystals in the joints. These crystals can cause inflammation and pain in the joints.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly taken together in supplement form. They are found in many over-the-counter joint-pain supplements. The supplements arederived from shellfish and are also available in powder form.
If you suffer from arthritis, or have any joint pain, it is important to speak to your doctor before taking any supplements. Supplements can interact with other medications and may not be appropriate for everyone.
A new study has found a link between two supplements and a build-up of needle-shaped crystals in the joints.
The study, published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, looked at the effects of two supplements, chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, on people with osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the joints. It is the most common form of arthritis, and affects more than 20 million people in the United States.
Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are two of the most popular supplements used to treat osteoarthritis. They are often taken together.
The new study found that taking chondroitin sulfate, with or without glucosamine, was linked to a build-up of needle-shaped crystals in the joints.
The crystals are known as needle-shaped calcium phosphate crystals, and they are a type of crystal that can cause arthritis.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.
The researchers looked at data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, a large, long-term study of people with osteoarthritis.
They found that, among people with osteoarthritis, those who took chondroitin sulfate were more likely to have needle-shaped calcium phosphate crystals in their joints than those who did not take the supplement.
The researchers also found that taking glucosamine was linked to a lower risk of having the crystals in the joints.
The study did not find a link between taking chondroitin sulfate and a lower risk of arthritis.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Michael Dailey, said that the findings suggest that chondroitin sulfate may be “a risk factor for the development of adverse joint changes in people with osteoarthritis.”
Dr. Dailey said that the findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.
If the findings are confirmed, he said, it may be necessary to advise people with osteoarthritis to avoid taking chondroitin sulfate.
