National Institutes of Health (NIH) GAIT Abstract Shows the Dietary Supplement Glucosamine HCl/Chondroitin Sulfate Combination Outperforms Prescription Drug in Reducing Moderate to Severe Knee Pain Due To OA (Osteoarthritis)
16:55 EDT Thursday, September 29, 2005


EDGEWOOD, Md. (Business Wire) -- After five years, approximately 14 million dollars, and with the use of over a dozen healthcare facilities, the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and led by various clinical investigators, has released an abstract of findings in this landmark study.
The double blind, placebo controlled study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate combination (all ingredients required to meet pharmaceutical standards), and celecoxib in joint pain. The chondroitin sulfate selected for use in the GAIT study is ONLY found in Cosamin(R)DS, a combination

of glucosamine HCl and chondroitin sulfate, marketed by Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. The chondroitin sulfate is supplied by Bioiberica SA under an exclusive agreement with Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.(1)
The GAIT study was designed to rigorously assess the efficacy and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate alone and in combination. The glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate used were required to meet pharmaceutical standards as GAIT was conducted under an Investigational New Drug application (see abstract).
The study arose from need: "1 out of 3 Americans experience joint pain from Osteoarthritis" (American College of Rheumatology). The resulting health care cost impacted by this number is $82 billion. The study conclusion reads: "Combination glucosamine + chondroitin sulfate is effective in treating moderate to severe knee pain due to Osteoarthritis." (79.2%)
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