Arthritis Remedies Missing Key Ingredient

A recent study by commercial testing company ConsumerLab.com has revealed that some dietary supplements being sold as remedies for osteoarthritis do not contain the level of active ingredient stated on the label. ConsumerLab.com tested 49 supplements containing chondroitin, glucosamine or MSM, or a combination of these ingredients. The supplements were all sold as arthritis remedies and marketed at people or animals. Results showed that two supplements sold for human use did not contain the level of chondroitin stated on the label, while two other supplements marketed for veterinary use contained no chondroitin at all. Dr Tod Cooperman, president of ConsumerLab.com, warned consumers to be cautious when buying supplements containing chondroitin, and to be especially cautious about supplements that use words such as "complex," "blend," or "formula" when describing chondroitin content on the label. Cooperman added that chondroitin is roughly 10 times more expensive than glucosamine, thus making manufacturers more likely to skimp on it.

SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 12th November 2003.