A recent study concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate were no more effective at slowing cartilage loss in arthritis than sugar pills. The results of various studies regarding the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been debated for years, but it now appears that the debate is over. The study, funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, confirms the findings of other studies showing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have little or no effect in stabilizing or preventing cartilage loss. Dr. Jolanda Cibere, Rheumatologist and osteoarthritis investigator at the Arthritis Research Center of Canada, also recently completed a six month double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation on the effectiveness of glucosamine concluding there was no benefit for joint health maintenance. According to the February 2009 issue of "AAOS Now," "We recommend glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate or hydrochloride not be prescribed for patients with symptomatic OA (osteoarthritis) of the knee."