Best joint health supplements at a glance
Best capsules:
- Cytoplan Glucosamine Complex, £14.80
- PuroLabs Glucosamine Complex, £29.99
- Together Health Joint Aid, £10.99
- Vitabright Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM+, £18.99
- WeightWorld Glucosamine & Chondroitin, £15.99
- Wild Nutrition Bone & Muscle support, £35
Best tablets:
- BioCare Glucosamine MSM Chondroitin, £24.99
- Healthspan Optiflex Glucosamine HCL 1325mg with vitamin C, £28.99
- Myvitamins Glucosamine HCL & Chondroitin, £11.49
- Vitabiotics Ultra Glucosamine & Chondroitin, £16.30
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Best joint health supplements
Wild Nutrition Bone & Muscle support
Available from: Wild Nutrition (£35), Bodykind (£35), Planet Organic (£35)
Best all-rounder
Price per 3 capsules: 93p
Score: 4/5
This food-grown multi-nutrient complex supplies key nutrients like vitamins C, D and K as well as calcium, magnesium and silicon to support bones, muscles, teeth and gums. The product also includes Boswellia extract (100mg) for its anti-inflammatory properties and protective plant compounds (bioflavonoids). Our tester found the capsules easy to swallow but chose to take the recommended three capsules in divided doses with each meal. Suitable for vegetarians and allergen free.
Available from:
Together Health Joint Aid
Available from: Together Health (£10.99), Superdrug (£10.99, Waitrose (£11)
Best anti-inflammatory
Price per capsule: 37p
Score: 4/5
This natural formula uses a mix of botanicals to help maintain joint flexibility and comfort. With no artificial additives or unnecessary processing aids, this product uses high levels of 200mg curcuminoids (with piperine to enhance absorption) as well as 230mg Boswellic acid. Our tester found the one-per-day capsule easy to fit into her routine. Suitable for vegans, coeliacs and allergen free.
Available from:
Cytoplan Glucosamine Complex
Available from: Cytoplan (£14.80), healthpath (£14.80)
Runner up
Price per 2 capsules: 49p
Score: 4/5
This glucosamine complex (two capsules) combines 600mg glucosamine hydrochloride along with MSM (400mg) and anti-inflammatory botanicals including 50mg turmeric (95% curcuminoids) and 50mg Boswellia extract (65% Boswellic acids). Two capsules can be taken every eight hours, reducing to two per day as a maintenance dose. Our tester noted a spicy smell on opening the pot but found the capsules easy to swallow, with no aftertaste.
Available from:
WeightWorld Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Available from: WeightWorld (£15.99), Amazon (£19.89)
Best combination
Price per 2 capsules: 18p
Score: 4/5
Our tester found two of these neutral tasting capsules easy to fit into her day. This comprehensive formulation provides Glucosamine (595mg) and Chondroitin (180mg) along-with other supportive ingredients like MSM (200mg), vitamin C (50mg) and hyaluronic acid (60mg). This product offers value for money along with a 100% money back guarantee. Not suitable for vegetarians.
Available from:
Vitabright Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM+
Available from: Vitabright (£18.99), Amazon, (£18.99), Superdrug (£18.99)
Runner up
Price per 2 capsules: 21p
Score: 4/5
Produced to good manufacturing standards (GMP) this glucosamine complex includes 651mg of glucosamine from a well-absorbed source (glucosamine sulphate 2KCL), with additional joint support including chondroitin (135mg), MSM (50mg), vitamin C (105mg) as well as anti-inflammatory ingredients, including rosehip. This product offers value for money along-with a 100 per cent money-back guarantee. Not suitable for vegetarians or those with a shellfish allergy.
Available from:
BioCare Glucosamine MSM Chondroitin
Available from: Revital (£24.99), Bodykind (£24.99), BioCare (£25)
Best Tablet
Price per 2 tablets: 56p
Score: 4/5
This high potency complex combines Glucosamine hydrochloride (1000mg) and Chondroitin (200mg), which are natural structural components of connective tissue, with MSM (1000mg) for collagen production. Although, our tester found the tablets large and difficult to swallow. Not suitable for vegetarians or those with a shellfish allergy.
Available from:
Vitabiotics Ultra Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Available from: Vitabiotics (£16.30), Amazon (£16.30), Vision Pharmacy (£16.30)
Runner up
Price per 2 tablets: 54p
Score: 4/5
Two tablets per day provide an easy to absorb form of glucosamine (glucosamine sulphate 2KCL) at 800mg along-with 800mg of chondroitin sulphate. Our tester found these tablets easy to take. Not suitable for vegetarians or those with fish or shellfish allergy.
Available from:
PuroLabs Glucosamine Complex
Available from: Purolabs (£29.99)
Best clean label
Price per 2 capsules: 67p
Score: 4/5
Produced to GMP standards and with no synthetic additives, this natural product supplies a combination of glucosamine sulphate (532mg) with vitamin C (300mg) and chondroitin (200mg). Our tester found the two capsules per day easy to swallow but commented on the slight smell. Not suitable for vegetarians or those with shellfish allergy.
Available from:
Optiflex Glucosamine HCL 1325mg with vitamin C
Available from: Justmylook (£15.95), Healthspan (£28.99), Amazon (£28.99)
Best budget
Price per tablet: 12p
Score: 4/5
Delivering 1100mg of plant-sourced glucosamine per one-a-day tablet with vitamin C (20mg) to support cartilage and collagen formation. This was the best value product in our trial. Our tester found the tablet large, but not too difficult to swallow.
Available from:
MyVitamins Glucosamine HCL & Chondroitin
Available from: My Vitamins (£11.49), Welzo (£12.84), My Protein (£12.83)
Runner up
Price per tablet: 19p
Score: 3.5/5
To support cartilage, glucosamine (500mg) is combined with chondroitin (400mg) in this a one-a-day tablet. Our tester found the size of the tablet difficult to swallow, and they disliked the taste and smell. Not suitable for vegetarians or those with a shellfish allergy.
Available from:
What are the best nutrients for healthy joints?
Ideally, aim to eat a healthy, nutrient-dense diet that includes protein, vitamins and minerals – including vitamin C, which is important for the collagen that supports cartilage, plus vitamins D and K needed for bone and muscle health. Minerals, like calcium, magnesium and silicon support bone health and – in the case of silicon – support collagen production in the joints, too.
How to choose a good joint health supplement
Key ingredients for a joint care supplement include the nutrients needed to maintain healthy cartilage, tendons and ligaments as well as substances that, although naturally synthesised by the body, may be supplemented to improve tissue recovery and maintenance. Some products may also include botanicals for their anti-inflammatory effects.
In addition to the nutrients for healthy joints, here are some of the additional ingredients to look for in a joint care supplement:
- Glucosamine – naturally synthesised by the body but rarely found in natural food sources, glucosamine provides the raw material for the building blocks of the cartilage tissue that surrounds joints.
- Chondroitin – another component of cartilage that attracts water to the tissue giving the joint ‘bounce’ and providing a degree of resistance.
- Hyaluronic acid – this compound works by lubricating the connective tissue and acting as a shock absorber for the joint, helping to minimise damage.
- MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane) – this sulphur compound, found in dairy foods, eggs and legumes, is important for the production of structural components, like collagen.
- Botanicals – Boswellia serrata, curcumin (turmeric), rosehip powder and ginger are often added to formulations for their anti-inflammatory effects.
If you already take a multivitamin and mineral, check the levels of nutrients you are taking to ensure you are not doubling up. If you have a seafood or fish allergy or are vegetarian or vegan, check labels carefully because many joint care supplements may contain animal or fish derivatives.
How to take a joint health supplement
Joint supplements may be taken at any time of day, although some manufacturers recommend taking them with a meal to minimise stomach upset. Remember to also keep active aiming for 30 minutes of gentle, mobilising exercise on most days while also listening to your body and taking time out to rest your joints when you need to.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a diagnosed health condition or are on prescribed medication check with your GP prior to supplementation.
What we looked for in healthy joints supplements
All supplements were tested within the same time period, with observations recorded based on the testing criteria. We included samples from various manufacturers at a range of price points to suit different budgets.
The key areas we assessed were as follows:
- Taste and flavour: is the consuming experience pleasant?
- Nutrient profile: how much of each nutrient per daily dose? How does this compare to the nutrient reference value (NRV), where relevant?
- Additives: does the supplement contain additives, for example: preservatives, artificial sweeteners or colourings?
- Dietary requirements: does the product meet any specific dietary needs – is it vegetarian, vegan, allergen-free?
- Value for money: how does it compare to other products on a cost-per-day basis.
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Always keep supplements out of the reach of children.
Unless otherwise stated we tested products available in the UK market and suitable for adults.
Check the product label and ingredients before purchase to ensure it is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Kerry Torrens BSc. (Hons) PgCert MBANT is a BANT Registered Nutritionist® with a post graduate diploma in personalised nutrition and nutritional therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the last 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including Good Food.
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