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Joint supplements are a great way to prevent your joints and the tissues around them from deteriorating due to both old age or overuse. They can also relieve joint pain, repair any damage that has already been done to the joint, and even combat conditions like arthritis.
There are countless joint supplements on the market that use a range of different ingredients, but many of the top products will contain some form of glucosamine, either on its own or with additional ingredients, for example glucosamine and chondroitin are often used together.
However, while they may look very similar, joint supplements can vary wildly in terms of both effects and efficacy. That is why we have made this list of the best glucosamine supplements currently available, to ensure you can find the one that provides the joint support you need.
What Causes Joint Pain?
Joint pain can be caused by a variety of different things, such as an injury, arthritis, or a range of other conditions. It can even be a symptom of something more severe, so you should see a doctor if the pain persists or it is severe, as you may need tests, scans, medication, or surgery.
If you don't feel the joint pain is a symptom of something more sinister though, there are a number of things you can do to try and fix the problem at home.
There are many potential treatments for joint pain, such as physical therapy, but perhaps the most popular and effective option is joint supplements. These can be made from a variety of ingredients, with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and omega-fatty acids among the most common.
Again though, if you are already taking any medications, you should speak to a doctor before taking any joint supplements, to make sure that there won't be any negative interactions or side effects when the two are used together.
What Makes Glucosamine An Effective Joint Health Supplement?
Glucosamine has become one of the most popular active ingredients in a joint supplement, as research suggests it is a powerful anti inflammatory. This will alleviate joint pain and give the joints the green light to start the healing process, so it can even treat chronic osteoarthritis.
Research has also shown it is specifically effective for treating knee osteoarthritis.
The Best Glucosamine Supplements
FlexAgain
FlexAgain is a super stacked joint supplement that has glucosamine sulfate, plus omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin d, vitamin k, ginger, bromelain, curcumin (turmeric extract), boswellic acid, blue galangal extract, resveratrol, chondroitin sulfate, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM).
It can lubricate joints, promote connective tissue growth, prevent cartilage from being damaged, relieve arthritis pain, inflammation and general joint pain, treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, and improve joint function (1)(2)(3)(4)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).
Given its incredible efficacy, diversity of ingredients, range of benefits, and incredibly fair price tag, FlexAgain is not just one of the best glucosamine supplements around, but it very well may be the best joint health supplement overall that is currently on the market.
Elm & Rye Glucosamine Sulfate contains nothing but pure glucosamine sulfate of the highest quality. Research suggests it can alleviate joint pain and improve cartilage and joint health, especially in people with low estrogen levels or those taking medications that effect their hormones.
Available as both glucosamine gummies or capsules containing glucosamine powder, and with bulk buy options offered to help you save money, the Elm & Rye product is an ideal choice for people who want to use only pure glucosamine and like plenty of choice regarding how they take it.
3. Move Free Advanced Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM Joint Support Supplement
The Advanced Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM Joint Support Supplement from Move Free contains MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin, as well as hyaluronic acid and calcium fructoborate, to provide extra support for the tissues surrounding and connecting the joint.
It is made to support what it calls the 5 signs of joint health, which includes comfort, mobility, flexibility, strength, and bone density. Fully guaranteed for freshness, potency, and purity, it is a great choice for people who are still unsure about taking joint supplements for the first time.
4. Nuzena Joint Support +
Nuzena Joint Support + is designed to improve bone and joint health and cartilage production and mobility, while reducing inflammation. It does so by combining glucosamine sulfate with chondroitin sulfate,MSM, boswellia extract, turmeric, bromelain, quercetin, and methionine.
Quercetin is ideal to treat joint inflammation and autoimmune diseases like arthritis, while methionine boosts cell metabolism, prevents inflammation, and treats conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia, especially when combined with glucosamine (14)(15).
Nuzena Joint Support + is also very reasonably priced, making it a great joint supplement for people trying to alleviate joint pain on a budget.
5. Vimerson Health Vegan Glucosamine Chondroitin Phytodroitin MSM & Burdock Root
Vimerson Health Vegan Glucosamine Chondroitin Phytodroitin MSM & Burdock Root is a fish oil and shellfish free glucosamine joint supplement that includes glucosamine sulfate sodium, vegan MSM, burdock root 4:1 extract, and phytodroitin, a vegan form of chondroitin.
Capable of improving joint health, joint mobility, and joint lubrication, and relieving joint pain, it is a suitable supplement for vegans or people with fish oil or shellfish allergies to keep their joints healthy and pain free, without risking their health or their morals (16).
6. Garden Of Life FYI Ultra Joint & Cartilage Formula
Like all of their products, Garden Of Life FYI Ultra Joint & Cartilage Formula is made using a fully plant based formula that consists of shellfish free glucosamine HCL, turmeric root, boswellia serrata, ginger root, pomegranate extract, natural astaxanthin, and olive leaf extract.
It is made to support joint tissue health, stop oxidation and free radical damage, repair joint damage, and promote cartilage growth.
As Garden Of Life adds no animal products, artificial additives, or dairy to the supplement, and it is gluten free and carbon neutral, it is one of the best glucosamine supplements for people who care about the planet.
7. Vitapost ProJoint Plus
Vitapost ProJoint Plus is marketed as a premium joint support supplement with a formula that consists of glucosamine sulphate, boswellia serrata extract, chondroitin sulfate, turmeric, quercetin, methionine, MSM, and bromelain.
This blend of high quality ingredients and herbal extracts benefits cartilage and joint health, elasticity, and mobility, and helps to prevent and reduce inflammation, while its third party testing and production in an FDA registered facility means that you know it is made by one of the more reputable brands out there.
8. Physician's Choice Joint Support
Physician's Choice Joint Support is one of the top selling glucosamine and chondroitin supplements currently on the market. It is made using glucosamine, chondroitin, msm, calcium fructoborate, organic turmeric root, and boswellia serrata gum resin extract.
Unlike most chondroitin supplements though, it uses a plant based form of chondroitin called phytodroitin. This makes it a great way for vegans to enjoy improved joint flexibility and cartilage support. It is also non gmo, soy free, and dairy, egg, nut, shellfish, and gluten free.
9. Live Conscious Movewell
Live Concious Movewell is a joint health support supplement made using boswellia serrata gum resin extract, glucosamine, chondroitin, msm, hyaluronic acid, and turmeric extract.
The idea is that by using a broad spectrum of supplements, Movewell can improve the health, flexibility, and mobility of joints. It is also one of the top budget supplements out there, with different deals on offer if you buy a one month supply, three month supply, or five month supply.
10. IWI Joint
IWI Joint is a unique joint supplement that relies heavily on healthy fats. Its formula consists of glucosamine HCL, curcuminoids, algae oil, white willow bark salicin, polar lipids, chlorophyll, and a selection of omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 fatty acids.
By reducing inflammation and stiffness and increasing blood flow, IWI Joint creates comfort in your joints and helps to increase strength and mobility to keep you moving. It also does all of this while being completely vegan, non gmo, and metal, contaminant, and gluten free.
11. Glucoflex 24 Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate Complex With MSM
Glucoflex 24 Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate Complex With MSM contains glucosamine hcl, hydrolyzed collagen, chondroitin sulfate, shark cartilage, MSM, turmeric, ginger root, polygonum cuspidatum, boswellia serrata extract, and feverfew.
It is specifically designed to be slow release, to support cartilage and joint mobility, health, flexibility, structure, and function, reduce pain and inflammation, and keep joints strong and supple around the clock.
12. Doctor's Best Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM With OptiMSM
Doctor's Best Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM With OptiMSM contains nothing but pure MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which are three of the best supplements for improving the health and pain levels of all of the joints throughout your entire body.
Created to improve the health, structure, function, and flexibility of joints, while also boosting the growth of bones, hair, and nails, this gluten free supplement has earned its place as one of the top selling joint supplements on the market.
13. Solgar Extra Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM Hyaluronic Acid
Extra Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM Hyaluronic Acid from Solgar is designed to be one of the most powerful joint supplements on the market. In addition to glucosamine, chondroitin, msm, and hyaluronic acid, it also contains 180 mg of hydrolyzed collagen type II.
This unique, non GMO formula will allow it to keep joints healthy and comfortable, while improving their mobility, range of motion, flexibility, and function, and even supporting bone and tissue strength and growth and being able to completely offset the damage caused by physical activities.
14. Physio Flex Pro
Physio Flex Pro is a joint supplement designed to reduce pain in the joints of people suffering from osteoarthritis by combining glucosamine hydrochloride with selenium, a compound naturally produced by the human body that can reduce joint inflammation and boost cartilage growth and synovial fluid production.
The Physio Flex Pro formula is then aided by bromelain, ginger extract, turmeric extract, MSM, chondroitin sulfate, and black pepper fruit extract. This will lubricate joints, reduce joint stiffness, increase joint flexibility, and further reduce inflammation (12)(13).
While Physio Flex Pro is by no means a "cheap" joint supplement, it is still a fabulous choice for people suffering with osteoarthritis.
15. Puritan's Pride Triple Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin With Vitamin D
Puritan's Pride Triple Strength combines glucosamine and chondroitin with vitamin d, MSM, and boswellia serrata extract, to create a supplement that supports the health of the bones, joints, and supporting and connective tissues throughout the body.
Completely preservative, sugar, milk, lactose, gluten, wheat, and soy free, it helps to soothe the joints and increase their comfort and flexibility, to help make completing your daily tasks easier, no matter what dietary constraints you may have.
How To Choose The Best Glucosamine Supplement
When choosing a glucosamine supplement, you need to look first at what type of glucosamine it contains, as well as how much. You then also need to look at the reputation of the brand, the other supplements the product contains, what effects it advertises, and how much it costs.
If you are taking any other medications or have any pre-existing health conditions, you should also speak to a doctor to check how glucosamine or the other ingredients in the supplement will effect you and get their help to choose the most appropriate product.
How Much Glucosamine Should I Take Each day?
The recommended daily dosage of glucosamine is said to be between 900 and 1,500 mg, split in to three equal doses of 300 to 500 mg.
This is a healthy dose that will give you all of the benefits that glucosamine can offer, without putting you at risk of experiencing any side effects or adverse reactions (17).
When Should You Take A Glucosamine Supplement?
There is no specific time to take a glucosamine supplement that will benefit you more than any other. That said, the research shows that it is a supplement that works best when you keep the levels in your system consistent and split your daily dosage into three even doses.
As a result, for the best outcome possible you should try to take a dose of your chosen glucosamine supplement every 8 hours.
Can You Take More Than One Joint Supplement?
How many joint supplements you can take in a single day will be determined by a number of factors, including what they contain, your age, and any pre-existing health conditions that you may have or other medications you are taking.
If you choose to take more than one supplement for your joints, make sure that you are not consuming too much of any one ingredient. If you have any concerns about what is considered safe or how much you are taking, speak to a medical professional before you start taking it.
Do Glucosamine Supplements Cause Side Effects?
Glucosamine is largely considered safe for use by the majority of people. However, in very rare instances it can cause some mild side effects. This includes constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn, drowsiness, headaches, nausea, and skin conditions.
It can also occasionally worsen asthma symptoms and increase eye pressure, particularly in patients with glaucoma. Glucosamine obtained from shellfish can also cause adverse reactions in people who have allergies as well (18).
What Else Should I Do Besides Taking Glucosamine Supplements?
Supplements can help with joint pain, but it’s also a good idea to exercise the effected area in an appropriate manner, areas such as the shoulder and hip [19] are most commonly effected and people with injuries need to make sure not to put too much strain on the area. If you’re uncertain talk to your physician.
Final Thoughts On The Best Glucosamine Joint Supplement
Glucosamine is a great supplement to promote mobility and health and reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation in people with joint issues. While there are plenty of great glucosamine supplements on the market, there is perhaps none that are as good as FlexAgain.
Its extra strength dose of glucosamine and unique blend of supporting ingredients mean it can enhance joint health and reduce joint pain from all angles. Consumer reports also note that it is both great value and extremely effective as well, while also causing no side effects.
If, for whatever reason, FlexAgain does not sound like the ideal joint supplement for you, one of the other options on this list almost certainly will be. However, for everyone else, we highly recommend that you give FlexAgain a try and see how it can support joints for yourself.
Resources
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/glucosamine-and-chondroitin-for-osteoarthritis
https://examine.com/supplements/glucosamine/#dosage-information
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-glucosamine/art-20362874
