Supplements with a healthy dose of glucosamine and chondroitin are a popular treatment for those with joint pain. Joint pain, from mild to moderate to severe, is caused by a wide variety of diseases, ailments, and injuries, and likewise have a wide variety of treatments.
It takes time to determine which combination of treatments are best for you, and I believe that it is important to take the time to see what treatments have the biggest impact and help you the most as you set out on your wellness journey. With my background in medicine and fitness, I want to provide products that can help you with joint pain and keep you on the move.
There are so many supplements on the market, and, in this article, I hope to help you understand more about what glucosamine and chondroitin do and a small glimpse at a few of the best glucosamine chondroitin supplements on the market today. I believe that figuring out whether this supplement is right for you is a great step in your own wellness journey. This article will discuss:
- What is glucosamine, and where is it found?
- What is chondroitin, and where is it found?
- The best glucosamine chondroitin supplements on the market
Glucosamine
What is Glucosamine, and where is it found?
Glucosamine is a natural compound found in the cartilage. Cartilage is a tough tissue that is often found between joints to cushion them. It is also notably found in the nose, as well as in a variety of other places around the body. Deteriorating or weak cartilage is often a major cause of joint pain and diseases.
Glucosamine, while produced naturally, has recently gained popularity as a supplement to help treat pain caused by inflammation and loss of cartilage. Glucosamine is generally harvested from shellfish or made in a lab. The two primary reasons people take glucosamine supplements are to combat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Clinical Testing
Testing for this supplement has surrounded those two major diseases, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and how supplementation reduces pain and swelling. As of right now, research is met with mixed results. There are a variety of cases in which the trials find that glucosamine supplements provide more relief than the placebo while others are met with no substantial difference between the two.
Osteoarthritis
Taking a glucosamine supplement may provide relief for the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It may provide pain relief across all impacted joints, and it can slow the degeneration of cartilage related to the disease. More research is needed to determine how much it helps, and what other beneficial effects it may have on the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Glucosamine supplements might reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, but early research suggests that it does not affect inflammation or reduce the number of joints affected by the disease.
More research is required to figure out exactly how glucosamine supplements interact with the human body, and what their short-term and long-term effects really are. Fortunately, the research has agreed on one thing: that glucosamine supplements do not have serious side effects.
Are There Side Effects of Glucosamine Supplements?
Across the board, glucosamine appears to be mostly safe, coming with a handful of mild side effects. The side effects may include:
- Upset Stomach
- Heartburn
- Drowsiness
- Headache
Side effects are more likely when taking higher doses of glucosamine.
What Are the Best Glucosamine Supplements on the Market?
As glucosamine becomes more popular, supplements have flooded the market. There are a ton of glucosamine, chondroitin, and glucosamine chondroitin combination supplements available over-the-counter. The quantity of supplements makes it difficult to choose which one is the best for you, so we will discuss some of the best glucosamine supplements on the market before going into the second key ingredient of our new product: chondroitin.
Divine Bounty Glucosamine and MSM
This Divine Bounty product contains, over the course of four tablets a day, 2000 mg of a vegetarian glucosamine, 1400 mg of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and 100 mg of potassium to round it out. A lot of these supplements choose to find vegetarian alternatives to the often used shellfish-harvested glucosamine, opening doors for more people to feel comfortable taking these supplements.
MSM, which we see in a variety of these supplements, is a naturally-occurring chemical that is added into supplements to lessen inflammation and pain. It works well with glucosamine to fight the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as affecting many other systems in the body. MSM, while a good combination with glucosamine, contains a wide variety of benefits that lead it to be a popular supplement in its own right.
Deva Vegan Glucosamine MSM and CMO
Deva Vegan Glucosamine MSM and CMO brings 1500 mg of glucosamine, 750 mg of MSM, 100 mg of cetyl myristoleate (CMO), 100 mg of boswellia extract, and 5 mg of lipase in its recommended daily serving. Let’s dive into what their other ingredients bring to the table.
- Cetyl Myristoleate is a naturally occurring fat that is often produced in a lab for supplements. CMO might help lubricate joints and muscles and increase flexibility, helping to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.
- Boswellia Extract is a common plant for incense (frankincense) that’s been used for thousands of years. Research suggests that boswellia extract may help combat inflammatory conditions, making it an excellent addition to glucosamine in this supplement.
- Lipase is an enzyme that helps the body break down fats in food so their nutrients can be absorbed by the intestines.
Bluebonnet Vegetarian Glucosamine MSM
Bluebonnet Vegetarian Glucosamine MSM is another product from a reputable source, providing 1500 mg of glucosamine and 1000 mg of MSM in their daily recommended intake.
Chondroitin
What is Chondroitin, and Where is it Found?
Chondroitin is a naturally-occurring molecule in the body. It is a major component of cartilage, and can be harvested from animals like sharks and bovine, or synthesized in a lab.
Chondroitin absorbs fluids into connective tissue, helping keep cartilage and the area surrounding it healthy. Some research suggests it may also help keep cartilage from deteriorating and boost the production of new cartilage, but further research is required to know for sure.
Scientific studies point towards its viability as a treatment for osteoarthritis, which is characterized by the deterioration and loss of cartilage. Chondroitin may decrease the pain of osteoarthritis, but studies are conflicting on its overall impact. Some do not show any beneficial effects of taking this supplement, and at this time experts disagree on the efficacy of chondroitin for osteoarthritis relief.
Chondroitin is regarded as a safe supplement with few side effects, especially in the short term. Its possible side effects mirror those of glucosamine.
What are the Best Chondroitin Supplements on the Market?
In a similar fashion to glucosamine, chondroitin supplements have gotten much more popular in recent times. It has a lot of possible benefits for those suffering from arthritis, and it is a way to broaden treatment for those conditions. Interestingly, chondroitin is almost exclusively found in “glucosamine chondroitin supplements,” and few of only chondroitin exist at this time. That is because it is generally thought that of the two, glucosamine packs the bigger punch. That being said, chondroitin may also help with relieving joint pain, especially in the knees.
The two together are the basis for many supplements, along with a variety of ingredients like the ones we talked about earlier. But what are the best ingredient combinations? It is difficult to decipher what the exact amounts of each supplement has to do with the overall effectiveness.
What’s the Best Glucosamine Chondroitin Supplement on the Market?
Glucosamine chondroitin supplements aim to provide mobility, flexibility, pain-relief, and strength to joints around the body, though most are focused on the hip and knee joints. They are getting so popular that there are a wide variety of supplements that provide the main foundation of glucosamine and chondroitin and a smattering of other ingredients to bolster the aid it provides you as you take it.
With so many options, it is very challenging deciding which one to pick, and what the differences are between them. In the following section, we will talk about five of the best glucosamine chondroitin supplements on the market, and what distinguishes them above their competitors.
Zenwise Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate MSM Curcumin
Zenwise Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate MSM Curcumin provides 1,500 mg of glucosamine, 1,200 mg of chondroitin, 100 mg of curcumin, and 25 mg of hyaluronic acid. Apart from the main two ingredients:
- Curcumin is a molecule in turmeric that has anti inflammatory properties. The main problem with curcumin, however, is that it is very difficult for the body to absorb and extract it from its natural (or synthetic) container in the digestive system. It is metabolized very rapidly, and researchers are working on ways to increase its “bioavailability.”
- Hyaluronic acid is often used in injections and applied topically to aid with inflammation in the mouth and during cataract surgery. It is unclear whether it provides aid to the body when it is ingested.
Fun fact: “Bioavailability” is the percentage of a substance that stays in the body when it is introduced.
Doctor’s Best Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM
Doctor’s Best Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM has a simple ingredient list. For each daily serving, its four-capsules deliver 1,500 mg of glucosamine, 1,200 mg of chondroitin, and 1,000 mg of MSM. This combination is one of the more pure ingredient lists out there, prioritizing the heavy hitters when it comes to providing joint relief and lessening pain.
Move Free Vitamin D3, MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Move Free Vitamin D3, MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin has 1,500 mg of glucosamine, 200 mg of chondroitin, 750 mg of MSM, which are a pretty common combination across glucosamine chondroitin supplements. To top it off, however, this supplement has 3.3 mg of hyaluronic acid, again, perhaps not the most effective ingredient when it comes to joint relief but it is not harmful, and 50 mcg of vitamin D3. The addition of vitamin D sets this apart from the others on this list, and here’s why:
- Vitamin D is a powerful vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are two major components in keeping bones healthy. Healthy bones, while not directly related to joint pain, are a huge component in overall bodily health, and the addition of a bit of vitamin D into these supplements takes them to the next level.
Horbäach Glucosamine Chondroitin with Turmeric & MSM
This serious supplement packs a major dose of these nutrients into each daily dose. Its ingredient list is substantial, and comes out to 4,500 mg for a three caplet serving. This supplement contains:
- Glucosamine Sulfate 2KCI. This headliner should be no surprise to you, at this point. It is, however, in its most potent dose in this product The “sulfate 2KCI” suffix marks it as a specific variety of glucosamine.
- MSM. Another common ingredient, MSM is the second name on this list.
- Chondroitin. To round out the big three is chondroitin, which is no surprise in one of these products.
- Turmeric. As we’ve seen in Zenwise’s product, the circumin turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Boswellia Serrata. Another natural component, the extract from boswellia serrata may help combat inflammation in the body.
- Collagen. Collagen is a new entry on this list. No one is denying that collagen has a huge impact on the body, and its addition in this product adds to its efficacy.
- Citrus Bioflavonoid Extract. Another new entry is Citrus Bioflavonoid. Extracted from the rinds of citrus fruits, this natural remedy may help regulate metabolism, possibly helping increase the absorption of the other ingredients in this capsule.
- Hyaluronic Acid. This acid, probably existing in a very low dose, might provide the cherry on top for this behemoth of a supplement.
I hope this article has informed you about some of the properties of glucosamine and chondroitin, and when to take a supplement. Supplements are great ways to target points that are causing you trouble and move forward with your own wellness journey. If you are interested in seeing what supplements we have to offer you can browse them all here, or you can check out some of our articles about vitamins, minerals, and more!
You should consult a licensed health care professional before starting any supplement, dietary, or exercise program, especially if you are pregnant or have any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
