Supplement Failures?

Last week, a government study indicated that two wildly popular arthritis pills, glucosamine and chondroitin, did no better than dummy pills at relieving mild arthritis pain.

Earlier this month a study revealed negative results for saw palmetto to treat prostate problems. Last July another study echoed the same conclusion for echinacea and the common cold. Those followed similar disappointments for St. John's wort to treat major depression, and powdered shark cartilage for some cancers.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and the researchers even comment that their results don't necessarily mean consumers are pouring their money down the drain when they buy these sipplements.

That's partly because the three most recent studies found no real harm or the results are not completely clear-cut. Placebo affects are also questioned.

For example, while most people taking the arthritis pills in the study got no significant benefit, the pills did appear to help those with more severe pain. And critics of the echinacea study say different doses might have found a benefit in fighting colds.

Also, studying natural remedies is more challenging than researching prescription drugs, which are subject to Food and Drug Administration regulation. Alternative health products with the same name can have vastly different ingredients and potencies.