Natural Products Association Challenges Glucosamine-Alzheimer's Study, Citing 1 Retrospective Analysis
Updated
Updated · npanational.org · Jun 17
Natural Products Association Challenges Glucosamine-Alzheimer's Study, Citing 1 Retrospective Analysis
3 articles · Updated · npanational.org · Jun 17
Summary
June 17 — The Natural Products Association said a Nature Metabolism study linking glucosamine supplements to faster progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s does not provide conclusive evidence of harm.
The group said the findings rest on 1 retrospective electronic-health-record analysis, plus imaging of human brain specimens and Alzheimer’s mouse models, and still need validation in a human clinical trial.
NPA argued the researchers did not establish causality and failed to account for confounders such as ultra-processed diets and advanced glycation end products, which it said may also promote oxidative stress and brain protein clumping.
The response underscores an industry push to frame the study as preliminary and to urge consumers to treat its conclusions cautiously until human research rules out those variables.