Researchers, led by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, evaluated the association between the use of chondroitin and glucosamine supplementation and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in two prospective cohorts: the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals follow-up Study, consisting of over 96,000 participants. Regular use of the supplements was first assessed in 2002 and participants were followed until 2010. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) within each cohort and results were pooled using a random effects meta-analysis. Associations were comparable across cohorts, with a RR observed for any use of glucosamine and any use of chondroitin. Use of glucosamine in the absence of chondroitin was not associated with risk of CRC. However, use of chondroitin and glucosamine was significantly associated with risk of CRC, with supplement uses having a 23% lower risk of developing colon cancer compared with those not taking the supplements. The association was comparable for cancers of the colon and rectum. The results support a protective association between the use of chondroitin and glucosamine and risk of CRC.
Kantor ED, et al. Use of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements in relation to risk of colorectal cancer: Results from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals follow-up study. Int J Cancer. 2016 Nov 1;139(9): 1949-57. doi: 10.1002/ijc.30250. Epub 2016 Jul 18.