In a new study published by the BMJ Group, adding low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate (Pureflex by TSI) to a glucosamine sulfate regimen proved to significantly reduce the loss of knee cartilage (Ann Rheum Dis doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203954). The randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study for a two-year follow-up evaluated 605 subjects, between the ages of 45 and 75 with chronic knee pain, at the University of Sydney, Australia.
The participants were randomized to receive 1500 mg of glucosamine daily, 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate daily, a combination of the two supplements daily or a matching placebo over two years. The cartilage loss was measured as knee joint space narrowing (JSN) with digitized knee radiographs. Maximum knee pain was were-reported in a participant journal for seven days ever two months over the course of one year. After two years of a daily dose of 1500 mg of glucosamine and 800 mg of chondroitin, the reduction in JSN was about half of that seen in the placebo group.
"These findings have exciting implications for knee joint sufferers," said Joe Zhou, CEO of TSI. "We're enthusiastic about the potential of Pureflex chondroitin as a tool in the fight against pervasive and difficult knee joint conditions."