For example, chondroitin may interact with blood thinners such as warfarin, so the combination could increase the risk of bleeding. Many doctors warn patients that the FDA does not regulate supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin, so they may not contain the amounts stated on the label, or there could be contaminants in them.

And, of course, there is cost to consider — health insurance usually doesn't cover these supplements. I've tried to keep an open mind. I recommend that you check with your doctor about interactions with other medications you're taking. Also, keep in mind that the FDA does not regulate these products, which are considered unproven.

If you take these supplements without noticing clear improvement within a few months, I suggest you stop using them. There are different types and doses available, and they are taken for a number of different conditions such as osteoarthritis of the hands or spine, for which there is even less supportive evidence.

There could be certain situations in which they are particularly helpful. We'll need additional research to know what they are. Robert H. Shmerling, MD , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. February 24, By Robert H. Shmerling, MD , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing When it comes to health supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin are among the most popular.

And yet, that's not so clear. For example: A review of previous research found that treating knee or hip osteoarthritis with glucosamine and chondroitin led to small improvements on a pain scale, but it wasn't clear that the pain relief was actually meaningful. Because glucosamine products might be derived from the shells of shellfish, there is concern that the supplement could cause an allergic reaction in people with shellfish allergies.

There's some concern that glucosamine might raise eye pressure. If you have glaucoma, talk to your doctor before taking glucosamine supplements. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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Show references Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis pain. Arthritis Foundation. Accessed Oct. N-acetyl glucosamine NAG. Natural Medicines. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Glucosamine sulfate. Pizzorono JE, et al. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine.

Elsevier, Vasiliadis HS, et al. Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis. World Journal of Orthopedics.

Glucosamine hydrochloride. Rubin BR, et al. Oral polymeric N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

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ART Home Glucosamine.

Its pain-relieving effects are attributed to a chemical compound in turmeric called curcumin. Curcumin seems to have anti-inflammatory effects. Although research on turmeric for joint pain is limited, an analysis of studies found that it improves symptoms of joint pain more than a placebo and may be comparable to ibuprofen.

Try it: Turmeric is usually taken in a dose of mg two to four times daily. Learn more about the benefits of turmeric and curcumin.

Fish oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, which have anti-inflammatory effects. An analysis of clinical research shows that taking fish oil supplements reduces symptoms such as joint pain in those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Try it: Typical fish oil doses range from to 1, mg per day. Glucosamine is natural component of cartilage, a substance that prevents bones from rubbing against each other and causing pain and inflammation.

It might also help prevent the cartilage breakdown that can happen with arthritis. Many supplements aimed at treating joint pain contain glucosamine, which is one of the most well-studied supplements for osteoarthritis. But despite this research, there are still some questions about how well it works.

There are two types of glucosamine found in supplements: glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate. Another study shows that glucosamine sulfate does improve these symptoms, so it may be a better option that glucosamine hydrochloride.

When taken over a long period of time, glucosamine sulfate may also help to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. Studies suggest that it slows down narrowing of the joint space, a marker of the condition getting worse, when taken for up to three years.

Try it: Glucosamine sulfate is typically taken once daily in a dose of 1, milligrams mg. If this upsets your stomach, try spreading it out over three doses of mg each.

You can find glucosamine sulfate supplements on Amazon. Like glucosamine, chondroitin is a building block of cartilage. It may also help prevent cartilage breakdown from osteoarthritis. Many clinical studies have found that chondroitin can reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis.

About 53 percent of people who take chondroitin have a 20 percent or greater improvement in knee pain. Chondroitin sulfate may also slow down the progression of osteoarthritis when taken long-term. Studies show that it slows down narrowing of the joint space when taken for up to 2 years.

Joint supplements often combine chondroitin with glucosamine. Try it: Chondroitin is typically taken in a dose of to mg two or three times per day.

You can find chondroitin supplements on Amazon. S-adenosyl-L-methionine SAMe is a supplement commonly used to help with symptoms of depression and osteoarthritis.

Your liver naturally produces SAMe from an amino acid called methionine. It has several functions, including helping the production and repair of cartilage. When taken as a supplement, SAMe can help with symptoms of joint pain caused by osteoarthritis.

It may be as effective as the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib Celebrex. In one study from , celecoxib improved symptoms more than SAMe after a month of treatment. But by the second month, the treatments were comparable.

Try it: SAMe is usually taken in doses of to mg three times per day. Keep in mind that it may take some time to notice results. You can find SAMe supplements on Amazon.

Boswellia , also known as Indian frankincense, is commonly used for pain caused by arthritis. Chemicals in this extract called boswellia acids have anti-inflammatory effects.

Clinical studies have shown that boswellia extracts improve pain symptoms more than a placebo in people with osteoarthritis. Try it: Studies looking at the use of boswellia for joint pain have used doses ranging from mg once per day to mg three times per day.

You can find boswellia supplements on Amazon. Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables ASUs refer to a type of extract from avocado and soybean oils that might help prevent the breakdown of cartilage.

It may also help to repair cartilage. Clinical studies show that ASUs improve pain symptoms more than placebo in people with osteoarthritis. Try it: The typical dose of ASU is mg per day. You can find ASU supplements on Amazon.

Methylsulfonylmethane MSM is another common ingredient in supplements said to help with joint pain. In one study , MSM improved pain and functioning compared to a placebo in people with osteoarthritis. Try it: Typical MSM doses range from 1, to 6, mg per day, sometimes divided into two doses.

You can find MSM supplements on Amazon. Choosing a supplement for joint pain can be overwhelming with the number of products available. Many of these products contain multiple ingredients.

Also, these products are not regulated by the U. Food and Drug Administration so read labels carefully.

Others might contain multiple beneficial ingredients, such glucosamine and chondroitin. Plus, some of these products have too little of one or more ingredients for them to be beneficial. Some joint health supplements can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Glucosamine supplements are popular but controversial. This article takes a look at whether or not they are effective at treating arthritis.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment. Products and services. Glucosamine By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.

Show references Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis pain. Arthritis Foundation. Accessed Oct. N-acetyl glucosamine NAG. Natural Medicines. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Glucosamine sulfate. Pizzorono JE, et al. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. Elsevier, Vasiliadis HS, et al. Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

World Journal of Orthopedics. Glucosamine hydrochloride. Rubin BR, et al. Oral polymeric N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and osteoarthritis.

Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press The Essential Diabetes Book Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book.

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