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One-Third of Joint Health Supplements Failed to Pass Our Tests. See Which Passed or Failed, and our Top Picks.
Latest Update
Supplement for Hand Osteoarthritis?
Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.
Updated November 27, 2024 ⓘ Published August 14, 2021
Summary
Do supplements for joint pain and joint health work?
Several dietary supplement ingredients may help reduce joint pain (particularly of the knee or hands, but not the back or hip) due to osteoarthritis (worn joints), although the evidence is not overwhelming (see What It Does). As noted below, ConsumerLab.com tested the quality of products containing one or more of these ingredients.
Which joint health supplements are best?
About one-third of products selected for testing failed to provide the amounts of ingredients listed on their labels — with amounts ranging from just 1.8% to 62% (seeWhat CL Found). Products that passed tests for quality are noted as "Approved" in the Results Table in the full review. Approved products that also provided high-quality ingredients at lowest cost — indicating superior value, were selected as CL'sTop Picks).How much to take?
- Glucosamine (including NAG) and chondroitin: These may be used separately, but most studies have looked at these in combination. Modest pain relief may take several months. Look for products providing a total daily dose of 1,200 mg of glucosamine (sulfate or HCl) with or without 800 mg to 1,500 mg of chondroitin sulfate. See What it Does — Glucosamine and Chondroitin and ConsumerTips: Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
- MSM: Although in many products, the evidence is very limited for MSM. In animals, it is used to treat muscle soreness. An optimal dose has not been established, but dosage typically ranges from 500 mg to 3,000 mg. See What It Does — MSM and ConsumerTips: MSM.
- Boswellia: The resin of this plant contains an anti-inflammatory compound, AKBA, so its effects should be felt within a few days or weeks. Note that if only Boswellia resin is listed, it is likely less potent than Boswellia extract (i.e., an extract from the resin), as only about 1% of the resin is AKBA, while 6% to 40% of the extract is AKBA. (We show the amount of AKBA found in each product in the Results table.) A typical daily dose of Boswellia extract is 100 mg to 250 mg. Taking Boswellia extract along with fatty foods may enhance absorption. See What It Does — Boswellia and ConsumerTips: Boswellia.
- Turmeric: Curcuminoids and other compounds in turmeric provide an anti-inflammatory effect that may provide modest benefit in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, although no better than anti-inflammatory medicines. The typical daily dose ranges from 500 mg to 2,000 mg of curcuminoids (most of which is curcumin) from turmeric extracts, which may be as much as 95% curcuminoids. Products that have shown benefit are typically formulated for enhanced absorption, as curcuminoids are otherwise not well absorbed unless taken with meal containing fats. (For tests of additional turmeric products and more details about their use, see our separate Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements Review.)
- Collagen: Collagen may modestly improve join pain and flexibility in osteoarthritis, although effects can require two to six months of daily use. The type of collagen most studied for this use is undenatured collagen (such as UC-II and Vital 3), which is different from the hydrolyzed collagen typically used to improve skin appearance. (For tests of additional collagen products and more details about their use, see our separate Collagen Supplements Review.)
- Combinations: Although combinations are convenient, their formulas (other than glucosamine and chondroitin) typically have not been clinically tested. Before trying a combination, try products with specific, single ingredients and see which, if any, help. This approach can also be less expensive, as combinations are sometimes more expensive than buying each of the ingredients separately.
Joint health supplements safety, side effects and drug interactions:
Most of these ingredients can cause some gastrointestinal upset (such as nausea) and, although generally safe, some can interact with drugs (such as those for blood thinning), trigger allergies, or cause other side-effects. See Concerns and Cautions.There is mixed evidence on whether or not taking glucosamine affects the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
For other types of supplements that may be helpful in treating joint pain, see ConsumerLab.com's reviews of SAMe, Ashwagandha, Cinnamon and Ginger.
+— 63 sources
In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:
- Kolasinki, Arthritis Rheumatol 2020
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- Rondenelli, Nutrients 2019
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Make sure you're choosing the best arthritis joint supplements approved in our tests!
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Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia supplements compared in this review
1MD MoveMD
California Gold Nutrition Total Veggie Joint
Cosamin DS for Joint Health
Deva Vegan Glucosamine
Doctor's Best Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM with OptiMSM
Finest Nutrition Triple Strength Glucosamine and Chondroitin Complex
Jarrow Formulas N-A-G
Kirkland Signature Extra Strength Glucosamine 1,500 mg Chondroitin 1,200 mg
Life Extension ArthroMax Advanced NT2 Collagen & ApresFlex
Member's Mark Glucosamine HCl 1,500 mg Chondroitin Sulfate Sodium 1,200 mg
Nature's Nutrition Joint Support Gummies
Natures Plus Boswellin
Nature's Way Joint Movement Glucosamine Extra Strength - Berry Flavored
Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength + Vitamin D
Schiff Move Free Joint Health Advanced Plus MSM
Standard Process MediHerb Boswellia Complex
Swanson Boswellia Serrata Extract
USANA Procosa
Vimerson Health Glucosamine Chondroitin Turmeric & MSM
In this comprehensive review about glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia supplements for arthritis and joint health, you'll get test results and quality ratings for 20 supplements, including 15 products selected for testing by ConsumerLab, and five other productstested through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program. You'll learn:
- Which glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia supplements passed or failed ConsumerLab.com's testing and review, and which among them are its Top Picks
- What glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia are and what they can and cannot do for arthritis
- How much AKBA (a key compound) is actually in Boswellia resins and extracts, since labels usually don't say -- and why it is important to know
- How various forms of these ingredients differ, such as the HCl, sulfate, and NAG forms of glucosamine, and the 5-Loxin, AprèsFlex, and Aflapin forms of Boswellia extract
- Which CL Approved products are lowest in cost and the best value
- Which products are suitable for vegans and vegetarians and free of shellfish (e.g., made with glucosamine from corn, not shellfish)
- Which other ingredients in joint health formulas (such as turmeric, ginger, collagen (UC-II) or manganese) may or may not be helpful
- What is the proper dose of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia to treat osteoarthritis
- Potential side-effects of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia
Also see our separate report on these types of supplements for dogs, cats, and horses.
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Latest Clinical Research Updates for Joint Health Supplements
Supplement for Hand Osteoarthritis?
November 18, 2024
Does taking a combination of Boswellia extract, curcumin, MSM, and pine bark extract reduce pain or improve function and quality of life among people with hand osteoarthritis? Find out what a recent study showed in the Boswellia section of our Joint Health Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for boswellia.
Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?
Joint Chew for Dogs?
November 11, 2024
Did a popular chew with Boswellia and collagen improve mobility or reduce joint pain among dogs with osteoarthritis? See what a recent study found in our Review of Joint Health Supplements for Pets, which includes our Top Picks among products. (Also see our Top Picks among joint health supplements for people.)
Learn more about ConsumerLab’s tests of supplements for pets.
Glucosamine Name Change
October 24, 2024
Following a legal settlement, a product tested in our Joint Health Supplements Review now identifies its glucosamine ingredient differently. For details, see the Update in the Review, which includes our Top Picks among joint health supplements.
Boswellia for Knees?
September 16, 2024
Did taking Boswellia extract, which is often promoted to reduce inflammation, reduce knee pain or improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis in a recent study? Find out in the What It Does section of our Joint Health Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick among supplements for joints.
Also see our articles about supplements for arthritis and topical pain products with menthol.
Glucosamine & Cancer Risk?
July 12, 2024
Is the use of glucosamine associated with the risk of developing cancer? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Joint Health Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for glucosamine and other joint health supplements.
Caution With White Willow in Joint Supplements
June 04, 2024
A CL member asked about potential side effects of taking white willow. Be aware that white willow extract is added to some joint health supplements and can have side effects. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of our Joint Health Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among products.
Hyaluronic Acid for Joint Pain?
January 23, 2024
Did taking hyaluronic acid reduce pain and improve function in people with knee pain in a recent study? Find out in the Hyaluronic acid section of our Joint Health Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among supplements for joints.
Does MSM Help Hair and Nails?
September 30, 2022
Find out if research supports MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) for improving nails or hair in the MSM section of our Joint Health Supplements Review.
Also see our article about biotin and other supplements for hair and nails.
Glucosamine & Heart Disease
September 13, 2022
Is taking glucosamine for arthritis linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease? Find out in the What It Does section of our Review of Joint Health Supplements.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Pain?
July 12, 2022
Do hyaluronic acid injections reduce pain or improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis? Find out what a recent analysis showed in the Hyaluronic acid section of our Joint Health Supplements Review.
Top Pick for Boswellia (Anti-Inflammatory)
June 10, 2022
We just tested two Boswellia extract supplements (containing the anti-inflammatory compound AKBA). One failed testing but the other passed and is now our Top Pick for Boswellia. The results are in our Joint Health Supplements Review, which include our tests of supplements with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and other ingredients.
Glucosamine & Chondroitin – How They May Work
December 07, 2019
A recent study suggests that one way glucosamine and chondroitin may work is through the gut. For details, see the What It Does section of the Joint Health Supplements Review (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia). Also see our Top Picks among products.
Glucosamine & Eye Pressure
May 28, 2019
Glucosamine may increase eye pressure in people with glaucoma or intraocular hypertension. But does it have this effect in people who don't have these conditions? See what a new study found in the Concerns and Cautions section of the Joint Health Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for glucosamine and chondroitin.
Glucosamine and Heart Disease
May 15, 2019
Does taking glucosamine affect your risk of developing cardiovascular disease? See what a large study recently found in the What It Does section of the Joint Health Supplements Review (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia). Also see our Top Picks among joint health supplements.
Knee Supplements Studied
April 26, 2016
A recent clinical trial evaluated glucosamine with chondroitin versus placebo for reducing pain and improving function in people with osteoarthritis of the knee. See the details, along with results of our tests of popular supplements, see our Review of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia Supplements for Joint Health >>
Glucosamine & Chondroitin Help Maintain Knee Joint
March 08, 2014
A 2-year study in people with osteoarthritis of the knee found that those who took a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin had only half the amount of narrowing of the knee joint space as those who took placebo. This beneficial finding differs from that of another large study published several years ago which did not find a benefit on joint space. The new study used a different form of glucosamine than the previous study. Get the details, as well as our tests of supplements with these ingredients, in the updated Joint Health Supplements Review (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia) >>
Glucosamine May Increase Eye Pressure
June 02, 2013
New research suggests that people with glaucoma or intraocular hypertension could have worsening eye pressure if they take a glucosamine supplement. Get the details (along with our tests of glucosamine and other joint health supplements) in the updated Glucosamine/Joint Health Supplements Review >>
Vitamin D and Knee Arthritis?
January 13, 2013
Can taking vitamin D reduce the pain and progression of osteoarthritis of the knee? A new study found no benefit for people who already had sufficient levels of vitamin D. In fact, these people needed more anti-inflammatory medication during the study than those given placebo. However, as seen in many other studies of vitamin D, people who entered the study deficient in vitamin D appeared to benefit from being given vitamin D, experiencing reduced pain. For more details, see the update in the Vitamin D Supplements Review, which includes our tests of vitamin D supplements. If you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee or other joints, also read about glucosamine and chondroitin, as supplements with these ingredients may help. We have tested many of these products.
Chondroitin Improves Hand Arthritis
September 25, 2011
Do you or someone you know have osteoarthritis of the hand? A new study found that highly purified chondroitin can reduce pain and stiffness and increase function. You need to give it some time, though. Get the details in the update in the Joint Health Supplements Review.More >>
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Additional Information
Tested through CL's Quality Certification Program prior to, or after initial posting of this Product Review.
The "Updated" date indicates when new clinical or product information was most recently added. In the full review (available to CL members), the newest information is highlighted in yellow and, if a new product is added, it is footnoted in the results table, showing the date added to the review.
