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The results of animal and cross-sectional human studies suggest that glucosamine use lowers cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In this U.K. Biobank prospective study, researchers examined the association between regular use of glucosamine and CVD risk among almost 500,000 people without known CVD at baseline who completed a supplement-use questionnaire. About 20% of respondents answered “yes” to the question, “Do you regularly take … glucosamine?”
During a median 7-year follow up, 10,200 incident adverse CVD events occurred. Adjusted for multiple variables, regular glucosamine users had significantly lower risks for overall adverse CVD events (15% lower), CV-related death (22% lower), coronary heart disease (18% lower), and nonfatal stroke (9% lower) than did nonusers. These associations were stronger for current smokers than for former smokers or those who had never smoked.
Ma H et al. Association of habitual glucosamine use with risk of cardiovascular disease: Prospective study in UK Biobank. BMJ 2019 May 14; 365:l1628. (https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l1628)
Comment
In this study, regular glucosamine use was associated with lower risk for adverse CV outcomes. The results are biologically plausible: Glucosamine has anti-inflammatory properties, and regular use is associated with lower levels of blood C-reactive protein, which is a marker for inflammation. However, because residual confounding is possible with this study design (i.e., regular glucosamine use might be a marker for an overall healthful lifestyle), it would be premature to recommend this supplement for CV prevention until a randomized trial confirms the findings.