“I would definitely not want the message from this study to be that these supplements don’t work at all,” he says. “That would be a disservice because they might prove valuable in future studies.”

In another recent study it was shown that resistance training does actually prove an effective treatment against Osteoarthritis.

It seems once again, in terms of body ailments, that keeping active trumps all other sorts of medical supplements and drugs. The general message seems clear… Stay active people!

Follow the link for the full details of the osteoarthritis supplement research study.

Osteoarthritis is a clinical syndrome in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage that acts as a cushion inside joints and also the decrease of synovial fluid that provides lubrication.

The disease affects nearly 21 million people in the United States and it is estimated that 80% of the population will have radiographic evidence of OA by age 65 (though only 60% of those will be symptomatic).

Traditional treatment is with Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs (NSAID’s), local injections of glucocorticoid or hyaluronan or in severe cases joint replacement surgery, however analysis of previously conducted trials has shown that resistance training – which included resistance machines, free weights, isometric exercise and other devices such as elastic bands – cause improvement of symptoms, physical function and strength.

More than half of the studies reported a decrease in pain and 79 percent found mobility improvement following the training.

Ironically a separate study has suggested recently that popular supplements Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate may be useless.

The study was published in the October issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

Read more about it here.