Navigating the vast world of joint health supplements can be daunting, especially when searching for the best glucosamine chondroitin. With numerous options available, it's crucial to find a product that truly delivers on its promises.
Drawing from years of research and user feedback, this guide offers a deep dive into the benefits of glucosamine chondroitin, dispelling myths and presenting top recommendations to ensure you make an informed choice for optimal joint health.
Top 3 Glucosamine & Chondroitin Supplements
1 - Physio Flex Pro
2 - Essential Elements Glucosamine & Chondroitin
3 - Thorne Glucosamine & Chondroitin
What Are Glucosamine & Chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are the primary dietary ingredients to combat joint pain. As natural substances, they’re responsible for cartilage protection, joint lubrication, and inhibition of enzymes. A 2000 study showed that the trials of Glucosamine and chondroitin impose moderate to large effects in treating symptoms related to osteoarthritis.
These ingredients are necessary to maintain your overall joint health. If you have healthy joints, exerting in daily physical activities won’t be a problem. Healthy joints allow people to be better athletes, runners, and gym rats by providing mobility and flexibility. Maintaining joint health wouldn’t be possible without the help of joint supplements. These supplements are the backbone of improving joint support and reducing pain when factors like aging and physical pressure in sports occur.
You can incorporate glucosamine chondroitin in your routine for healthy joints by choosing reliable supplements. In this blog, I’ve provided the top 3 joint supplement products available in the market that will guide you. Remember to read the ingredients, customer reviews, price, and effectiveness of each supplement so that you’ll know which one can fit your supplement preference and which is good for your joints.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a natural compound found in the human body, specifically in the cartilage and synovial fluid that cushions and surrounds joints. Glucosamine forms the matrix of all connective tissues as a primary component of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Glucosamine sulfate, as the direct precursor to cartilage formation, supports the health of connective tissues by maintaining moral inflammatory balance for full support of joint comfort, integrity, and movement.
In a study published in the National Library of Medicine glucosamine sulfate is referred to as “an endogenous amino monosaccharide synthesized from glucose,” which is shown to be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis.
Chondroitin
Also known as chondroitin sulfate, this plays a crucial role in cartilage repair and joint health. This dietary ingredient usually absorbs fluid in the connective tissue for a healthy cartilage. Moreover, chondroitin is derived from bovine cartilage and a shark as a natural sources.
When associated with hyaluronan, this ingredient is known to repair cartilage after surgery since it can inhibit ECM degrading enzymes and increase the synthesis of Glucosamine and collagen II, based on a 2012 study. A 2017 study showed that chondroitin complements Glucosamine for joint health by delaying the radiological progression of knee osteoarthritis for 2 or 3 years after daily administration.
Benefits of Glucosamine Chondroitin
Joint Health
Glucosamine and chondroitin are well-known dietary ingredients to produce an effective joint supplement. A 2012 study from the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research showed results that Glucosamine provided an effect on stiffness improvement, while chondroitin can improve function and lessen pain symptoms related to osteoarthritis.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
While glucosamine chondroitin doesn’t possess direct anti-inflammatory properties, it can still indirectly improve joint health by reducing inflammation through synovial fluid and cartilage protection. However, their combination may be relevant regarding cell reduction responsible for inflammation.
A study in the International Journal of Rheumatology showed that a glucosamine and chondroitin combination suppressed IL-1-induced gene expression in cartilage explants through iNOS, COX-2, mPGEs, and NF-κB. This reduced NO and PGE2 production, which are responsible mediators for inflammatory reactions and chondrocyte cell death.
Cartilage Repair
The contribution of Glucosamine and chondroitin are known for repairing cartilage. A study published in the International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research concluded that the combination of chondroitin sulfate and oral chondroprotective Glucosamine as components are cartilage metabolism’s necessary substances to stimulate the cartilage regeneration processes in osteoarthritis.
Best Brands of Glucosamine Chondroitin
In this section, I’ve prepared a list of the top 3 best brands of glucosamine chondroitin, which can help you know which is beneficial for joint health. In selecting each brand, I based it on criteria including its ingredients, customer reviews, limitations, sources, price, and, of course, its benefits.
1. Physio Flex Pro
Benefits and Ingredients
As a research-based joint support complex, Physio Flex Pro uses natural ingredients for cartilage protection and pain relief to nourish and lubricate your joints.
This supplement consists of ingredients
- Glucosamine (500mg)
- Chondroitin Sulfate (100mg)
- Selenium (200mcg)
- Ginger Extract (250mg)
- Turmeric Extract (200mg)
- Bromelain (300mg)
- Bioperine (10mg)
- MSM (100mg). I
- It has additional ingredients like vegetable cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.
Sourcing and Prices
For safety and legitimacy purposes, Physio Flex Pro is a US-based product produced in cGMP-approved facilities that are FDA-registered. In terms of its price, a 1-month bottle of Physio Flex Pro costs $58.00, $114.00 for a 2-month course, and $160.00 for a 3-month course.
2. Essential Elements Glucosamine Chondroitin
Benefits and Ingredients
Essential Elements Glucosamine Chondroitin aims to provide joint discomfort ease that’s perfect for everyone. This supplement maintains healthy cartilage levels as you age and supports smooth joints. Ingredients include glucosamine sulfate (1500mg), MSM (500mg), chondroitin sulfate (300mg), boswellin sugar (100mg), hyaluronic acid (100mg), curcuminoids (60mg). Other ingredients include cellulose capsules, vegetable oil powder, silica, shrimp, and crab.
Sourcing and prices
This supplement is third-party tested and contains global ingredients produced in the U.S.A. The supplement is also labeled gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, peanut-free, and preservative-free. This ensures that taking the supplement is safe and accessible if you’re looking for a more specific product with no preservatives. In terms of its price a 1 month bottle costs $20.99, 3 bottles for $18.99 (highly recommended), 6 bottles for $16.99, and a one-time purchase for $22.99.
Comparison with Physio Flex Pro
While Essential Elements Glucosamine Chondroitin offers ingredients to fight typical discomfort and soreness with mobility support, Physio Flex Pro additionally provides ingredients backed by scientific research associated with the relief and treatment of arthritis, aside from joint repair and decreasing stiffness.
Moreover, while Essential Elements Glucosamine Chondroitin includes curcuminoids (from Turmeric root extract) with 60mg per serving, Physio Flex Pro consists of a 200mg serving of turmeric extract along with Bioperine to increase it's absorption.
This provides an additional anti-inflammatory effect to fight inflammation and provide gentle relief.
3. Thorne: Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Benefits and ingredients
This supplement can specifically provide benefits for musculoskeletal support. Thorne’s primary ingredients support joint mobility and function by preventing degradation and enhancing the body’s glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) production. Ingredients include glucosamine sulfate (500mg), chondroitin sulfate (250mg) along with additional ingredients such as hypromellose capsule and calcium laurate.
Sourcing and prices
Thorne manufactures 30+ NSF Certified for Sport products since it has an NSF Certified facility. The brand is also cGMP and Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) certified to ensure it provides security and legitimacy to users. A Thorne supplement costs $35.00 as a one-time purchase.
Comparison with Physio Flex Pro
While Thorne’s Glucosamine & Chondroitin helps maintain healthy joint mobility and function through its primary ingredients, which are Glucosamine and chondroitin, Physio Flex Pro additionally provides strong joints and increased mobility as a comprehensive supplement consisting of several natural ingredients aside from glucosamine chondroitin such as ginger extract and turmeric extract.
How to Choose the Right Supplement
Dosage
Knowing the proper dosage of a joint supplement is a significant factor in ensuring its safety and effectiveness. While it’s necessary to follow the essential guidelines in taking a dosage, take note of factors such as age, weight, and severe joint issues. In a 2013 study, due to the high amount of inflammation present in obese people, they benefited more from glucosamine chondroitin supplementation since the inflammation decreased after ingesting the supplement. It’s also crucial to consult a healthcare professional before purchasing this product, especially if you’re pregnant or have other existing medical conditions.
The recommended daily intake of Glucosamine and chondroitin may vary depending on the manufacturer’s instructions and the formulation of a particular product. But the general recommendation for Glucosamine is 1,500mg, while for chondroitin, users are recommended to intake 1,200mg daily.
Form of supplement
Glucosamine and chondroitin are dietary ingredients accessible as tablets, capsules, liquid, and powder. These ingredients are usually available in tablet and capsule forms. They’re easy and convenient to take with a glass of water. But the possible downside is the extended-release, or you’ll have to wait weeks before efficacy starts showing up. Other cons may include large tablets or capsules, making it hard to swallow, and side effects like an upset stomach, bloating, or gas.
If you have difficulty digesting large pills or tablets in general, glucosamine chondroitin is also accessible in liquid form. A 2021 study showed that Glucosamine and chondroitin, when combined with oral administration of low molecular weight liquid hyaluronic acid, can be effective for patients with mild knee pain and have knee osteoarthritis.
But liquid forms of Glucosamine and chondroitin may impose cons such as having shorter shelf life than tablets, taste, flavor, and added ingredients for preserving and flavoring.
Lastly, glucosamine chondroitin in powder supplements offers flexibility in adjusting the dosage to individual preferences. Powders can be combined with water or other beverages for faster consumption. Potential cons of powder forms include unpleasant taste and texture, the challenge of getting a precise dosage measurement, and the consistency of dosage.
Potential Allergens and Additives
These dietary ingredients or supplements are considered to be generally safe for most people. However, some may be sensitive or allergic to particular compounds in these supplements. Potential allergens may be shellfish allergy (if you’re allergic to lobster shells, crab, or shrimp), gastrointestinal discomfort, additives (cellulose, stearic acid, and silica), flavorings and sweeteners, and gelatin capsules (bovine or porcine).
Therefore, before purchasing any joint supplement containing glucosamine chondroitin, read the label product carefully to identify potential sensitive ingredients or allergens. The label is always located on the back portion of a supplement.
Side Effects and Precautions
When incorporated in supplements, glucosamine chondroitin can impose potential side effects for some people. Such side effects may include gastrointestinal issues such as stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Some can also experience headaches, skin reactions, and the emphasis on interaction with other medications.
Glucosamine may have a mild blood-thinning effect when combined with anticoagulant medications like warfarin. Other medications may be related to blood pressure, insulin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The best time to consult a doctor is before you start taking glucosamine chondroitin supplements since they can monitor future potential interactions and give personalized advice.
→ When Is The Best Time To Take Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Scientific Studies and Data
In response to improving past studies, numerous recent studies showed efforts to prove the efficacy of glucosamine chondroitin for joint health.
A 2022 study concluded that the mixture of Glucosamine and chondroitin is superior and effective to other treatments to a certain extent for knee osteoarthritis. The researchers suggested that it’s advantageous to apply and popularize considering the economic costs, point of effect, and tolerability of the combination of knee osteoarthritis treatment.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine showed results showed Glucosamine to be effective on stiffness improvement and chondroitin can improve function and alleviate pain symptoms.
There was also a study that tested the effectiveness of Glucosamine in animals. A 2021 study viewed results that chondroprotective effects were slightly higher when determined in the glucosamine sulfate studies compared to studies including the glucosamine hydrochloride formulation.
With all of these conducted studies, a study from the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research suggested that due to a limited number of combination therapy on Glucosamine and chondroitin, further studies still need to investigate the accurate effectiveness.
FAQ
1. Is it safe to take Glucosamine chondroitin daily?
Yes, since glucosamine chondroitin is considered safe for most people, make sure that the guidelines of a specific supplement are followed. These ingredients are often used for extended periods to support joint health. However, watch out for any mild and infrequent side effects such as nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea that may occur.
Keep in mind that the recommended daily intake of Glucosamine is usually 1,500mg and 1,200mg for chondroitin.
2. Can I take Glucosamine chondroitin with other medications?
Before starting any potential interactions with other medications, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider first to ensure there are no possible adverse effects. Keep in mind that other medications can deteriorate the effectiveness of glucosamine chondroitin. According to Alberta Rheumatology, both Glucosamine and chondroitin can interact with antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs by increasing the risk of bleeding or bruising. On the other hand, the Mayo Clinic discovered that the effectiveness of both the supplement and medication may be reduced when glucosamine sulfate and acetaminophen are taken together.
3. Are there vegan or vegetarian sources of glucosamine chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are known to be associated with vegetarian sources. Glucosamine hydrochloride is derived from corn or wheat, while plant-based chondroitin sulfate is derived from algae or fungi.
It was mentioned earlier that Physio Flex Pro uses easy to swallow veggie capsules. You can also consider this comprehensive joint supplement if you want a vegan-friendly brand. The capsules are gold since the manufacturers extract the highest quality of curcumin for the supplement.
→ Glucosamine Hydrochloride vs Glucosamine Sulphate
4. How long does it take to see results from taking glucosamine chondroitin?
Keep in mind that the time frame can vary among individuals in noticing the effectiveness of glucosamine chondroitin. It’s suggested to give a fair trial for these ingredients before assessing their usefulness for at least 8 to 12 weeks. Moreover, you can consistently use glucosamine chondroitin to notice results for 6 months. This was done in a 2007 study wherein there was a 6-month trial comparing the effectiveness of placebo or Glucosamine and chondroitin.
Aside from individual experiences, factors such as the severity of joint issues, dosage, and other existing medical conditions can affect the time frame for noticing the benefits of glucosamine chondroitin.
5. Which is the best brand of glucosamine chondroitin?
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the criteria for determining the best brand of glucosamine chondroitin are the following: ingredients, customer reviews, limitations, sources, price, and benefits.
Through the lens of customer reviews, all three brands listed here received high and positive feedback from their websites. Physio Flex Pro received 4.62 out of 5 based on 1048 reviews on their website.
As for purity of sources, Physio Flex Pro is made with natural ingredients backed by scientific evidence in a cGMP verified facility. This gives legitimacy to ensuring that the brand assures customers that safe production is implemented.
Overall, consider Physio Flex Pro if you’re looking for a supplement that contains comprehensive natural ingredients that are beneficial for strong joints, especially if you’re consistently engaging in physical activities.
Conclusion
To conclude, reducing joint pain wouldn’t be possible without primary ingredients such as Glucosamine and chondroitin. These compounds with anti-inflammatory properties aim to protect cartilage, lubricate joints, improve joint support, and, most specifically, treat osteoarthritis-related symptoms.
In choosing the best glucosamine chondroitin supplement, it’s crucial to consider factors such as the brand’s ingredients, price, sources, benefits, customer reviews, and limitations. Since these compounds can impose potential side effects and may not be advisable for individuals with existing conditions or pregnant women, consult a medical professional before starting any supplement.
For those seeking a comprehensive joint supplement with anti-inflammatory properties, pain reduction, and cartilage protection, Physio Flex Pro stands out as a top choice.