According to a new research, the use of supplement glucosamine was found to be associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its more severe consequences like stroke. The reasearchers, however, point out that despite this association, their work doesn’t establish a causal link between glucosamine and better CVD outcomes.
“Our study suggests a potential new beneficial effect of glucosamine on cardiovascular health. The practical implication would be upon further evidence from future studies, such as clinical trials, that verify such effects as causal,” said Dr. Lu Qi, a professor in the department of epidemiology at Tulane University and one of the study’s authors.
Glucosamine and a potentially healthier heart?
Using national health resources, Qi and his colleagues looked at results of nearly a half-million people. Individuals reported supplement use and were followed, in some cases, up to 10 years. During that time any events related to CVD were recorded. During the follow-up time, those who reported using glucosamine had a 15 per cent lower overall risk of CVD events. It was further associated with a 9 to 22 per cent lower risk of CVD death, coronary heart disease, and stroke, compared to non-users. Other experts say that the results look promising, but more work needs to be done to establish a mechanism for glucosamine’s potential benefits for heart health.
“The event reduction effects attributed to glucosamine will need to be proven in a randomized control study looking at a specific dose, specific formulation, and regimen,” said Dr. Guy L. Mintz, director of cardiovascular health and lipidology at Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, New York. “I think this is a promising first step in looking for another tool to reduce cardiovascular events.”
This isn’t the first study to take note of glucosamine’s beneficial relationship with CVD. Its results are in line with an Australian study of 266,848 adults 45 years and older. Researchers found a negative association between taking glucosamine, heart disease, and other cardiovascular conditions. The authors say the findings need further investigation.
