Glucosamine and
chondroitin are products commonly used by older adults in the US and Europe. There is limited evidence that they have anti-inflammatory properties, which could provide risk reduction of several diseases. However, data on their long-term health effects is lacking. To evaluate whether use of
glucosamine and
chondroitin are associated with cause-specific and total mortality. Participants (n = 77,510) were members of a cohort study of Washington State (US) residents aged 50-76 years who entered the cohort in 2000-2002 by completing a baseline questionnaire that included questions on
glucosamine and
chondroitin use. Participants were followed for mortality through 2008 (n = 5,362 deaths). Hazard ratios (HR) for death adjusted for multiple covariates were estimated using Cox models. Current (baseline)
glucosamine and
chondroitin use were associated with a decreased risk of total mortality compared to never use. The adjusted HR associated with current use of
glucosamine (with or without
chondroitin) was 0.82 (95 % CI 0.75-0.90) and 0.86 (95 % CI 0.78-0.96) for
chondroitin (included in two-thirds of
glucosamine supplements). Current use of
glucosamine was associated with a significant decreased risk of death from
cancer (HR 0.87 95 % CI 0.76-0.98) and with a large risk reduction for death from
respiratory diseases (HR 0.59 95 % CI 0.41-0.83). Use of
glucosamine with or without
chondroitin was associated with reduced total mortality and with reductions of several broad causes of death. Although bias cannot be ruled out, these results suggest that
glucosamine may provide some mortality benefit.