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Joint supplements have gained considerable attention over the last couple of decades, and there have been quite a few that have positively affected the quality of life of thousands and have the scientific studies to back them up, not just word and mouth.
Of course, a lot of these will likely be things you’ll have heard of, and even may well be aware of, but it’s surprising just how effective they may actually be. For example, did you know that omega 3 has been shown to be as potentially effective as medicinal options in multiple studies?
Unfortunately, as with all products, there is the good and the not so good, some suppliers may have low quality limitations, poor dosages and inferior quality caused by substandard production facilities.
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To help reviewers have compiled this article to help you make an educated decision.
In this article the reviewers have tested 14 popular supplements and make their choices based on reviews, cost and effectiveness.
Editor's Quick Picks:
- Best Overall Standalone product – Elm & Rye: Glucosamine
- Most Potent – FlexAgain
- Best Budget – Joint Buddy
Elm & Rye: Glucosamine – Best Standalone Joint Supplement
Why It's #1: Elm & Rye consistently ranks at the top of the supplement industry for purity, testing, and effectiveness. Elm & Rye supplements not only rank highly in customer reviews on their own website, but more impressively on many independent review sites.
All Elm & Ryes products are third-party lab tested for purity and consistency all here in the US. These supplements are competitively priced with fantastic deals on bulk buys across all the range. This Glucosamine product is available at a very reasonable price of as little of $28 for a bulk purchase. Making this product both cost-effective and a potential number one product for joint issues.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients: Glucosamine
- Price: $49.99 for 60 capsules or $28 per container when bought as a bulk order of 4 tubes: total cost being $112.49.
Pros:
- Natural ingredients
- Third-party lab tested in the U.S.
- May support smoother and healthier joints.
- Renewed flexibility.
Cons:
Premium price point without bulk purchases
Conclusion: With unmatched quality, transparency, and effectiveness, Elm & Rye is still the top choice for Joint supplements. If you’re curious about exploring supplements for joint support, glucosamine might just be the natural boost your joints need.
FlexAgain- Best all in one product
Why it's #2: FlexAgain takes a more potent and clinical approach backed by the latest arthritis societies around the world. Using only standardized ingredients that purportedly guarantee both purity and dosages that are relevant to the latest clinical trials. Their formula of 11 proven joint health ingredients makes this one, if not the most potentially potent and clinically research-backed supplement currently available.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients: Bromelain, Boswellic Acid, Curcumin and a high concentration gingerol extract, Resvertarol and Omega 3
- Price: $69.99 for 60 capsules
Pros:
- 11 scientifically backed ingredients
- Standardized for active compounds.
- 3rd party lab tested.
- Excellent reviews
Cons:
As a premium product this may be pricier than some
Conclusion: Focused on potential potency and purity backed by scientific and clinical trials, FlexAgain may be the best pick if your priority is ingredients that are dosed as per recommendations from arthritis societies from around the world.
Joint Buddy - Best Budget-Friendly Option.
Why It's #3: Joint Buddy is ranked as the best budget-friendly offering, while not the cheapest within the review, when you consider the ingredients and the customer reviews, it is easy to see why reviewers for this article have awarded this product as the best budget joint supplement.
Using 23 scientifically backed ingredients with excellent dosages of “Green lipped mussel” and MSN, this really may be the best budget-friendly option, priced at $33.99 for one month’s supply or $87.99 for 3 months supply which represents fantastic value for money.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients: Green lipped muscle, MSM1200mg, Glucosamine Sulfate 1500mg
- Price: $33.99 for one month’s supply, or $87.99 for 3 months’ supply
Pros
- 21 scientifically backed ingredients.
- User reviews of Joint Buddy do not appear to mention any side effects, although individual experiences may vary.
- Premium ingredients used.
- Produced in FDA-registered facilities.
- Does not use a proprietary blend.
Cons
Not suitable for vegetarians.
Conclusion: Joint Buddy is, in the opinion of these reviewers, the best budget-friendly supplement on the market today, especially when you consider the price, and the premium ingredients. When you get this much MSM, Glucosamine and an Omega supplement that is standardized you know you may be getting a quality product. And purchased as a bundle it is an amazing value.
Transparent Labs Joint Support
Why It's #4: Transparent Labs is a product that uses 6 ingredients that are mainly professionally researched and backed by some decent scientific evidence. Using Turmeric extract, Boswellia extract and Standardized Chicken Collagen as its main ingredients it may lack the multi-spectral approach to joint health issues as found in both FlexAgain and Joint Buddy.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients: Curcumin C3 Complex®, FruiteX-B®, Boswellin® Super, UC-II® Collagen.
- Price: $59.49 for one month’s supply, or $42.07 for a monthly subscription.
Pros
- 5 active, scientifically backed ingredients.
- Premium ingredients appear to be used.
- Produced in FDA-registered facilities.
Cons
- Processed in a facility that also processes nuts (coconuts, peanuts)
- Limited customer reviews
Conclusion: Transparent Labs Joint Support Supplement features five science-backed ingredients, which is less than both FlexAgain and Joint Buddy. While these ingredients will work for some customers, using supplements that use both premium and a more spectral approach to joint health issues may often be the most effective way forward.
Nutricost Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM.
Why It's #5: Nutricost Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM is one of the cheapest supplements within this review using 4 primary active ingredients, while the decent qualities of MSN and Glucosamine are to be admired, the overall limited number of ingredients make this a decent product and may not match the premium offerings on this listt.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients: Glucosamine, Chondroitin and 425 mg of MSM per serving.
- Price: $24.97 for 120 servings.
Pros
- Price.
- Good dosages of MSN and Glucosamine.
- Non-GMO, Gluten-Free
Cons:
- Mixed and limited reviews.
- Limited ingredients.
Conclusion: Nutricost Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM ranks 5th within this review which is a worthy and notable product, having an above average dosage of MSN and a decent amount of Glucosamine and a modest price. However, it may lack for some the power and potential of the more premium products within this review.
Fortify Joint Support Supplement
Why It's #6: Fortify is another of the mid ranged supplements that may offer relief for some people, with 5 active and scientifically backed ingredients, and the inclusion of 10 mg of type II collagen is the lowest daily recommended dosage considered effective as per recent studies, with purportedly 40mg being accepted as the preferred dosage.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients: Undenatured type II collagen, Curcumin, Boswellia serrata.
- Price: $49.99 for a 1-month supply. (Current offer: On sale! Buy one get one 50% off)
Pros
- Price, with current offer.
- 5 active ingredients.
Cons:
- Helpful reviews on own website.
- Ingredients dosages could be better.
Conclusion: Another decent product that will help many people, and the offer does represent reasonable value for money. However, like some of the others within this review, it may lack the general all-around properties to compete with some of the premium products on this list.
Onnit Joint Oi
Onnit Joint oil is a supplement that is not capsulate but is an easy-to-use liquid, which may be more appealing to those who have issues taking capsules. Onnit Joint Oil is a high-quality liquid fish oil supplement with the addition of Turmeric Root Extract and Gamma-Linolenic Acid, formulated to possibly support joint mobility.
- Form: Oil
- Key Ingredients: Emulsified liquid fish oil, Turmeric Root Extract, Gamma-Linolenic Acid
- Price: $32.95 for 1 month’s supply.
Pros
- Oil, not capsules, may appeal to some customers.
- Fish oil supplements have long been associated with possibly assisting joint health.
- Natural ingredients
Cons:
- Not suitable for customers with fish allergies.
- Limited ingredients.
- Mixed reviews.
Conclusion: Onnit uses fish oil to manufacture their joint supplement. Fish oils are known to potentially support joint mobility, maintain, and may even help to rebuild cartilage. One of the additional benefits is the potential aid with weight loss which very few other manufacturers mention. Most reviews for this product are okay, with some saying that they may have received noticeable benefits from taking Onnit, while others felt little improvement.
THORNEJoint Support Nutrient
THORNE Joint Support Nutrient is a supplement that uses Curcumin Phytosome and a highly bioavailable form of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, known for its purportedly powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Like nearly all the supplements within this review that use curcumin, they use a concentrated form of the ingredient to potentially maximise the potential benefits. The only downside of this inclusion is that it may be on the lowest side of the recommended daily dosage.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients: glucosamines, MSM, Bromelain, Boswellia
- Price: $87 for a 2-month supply.
Pros
Some positive reviews
Cons:
- May not be as effective for some
- Limited ingredient profile.
- Some possibly underdosed ingredients.
Conclusion: THORNE Joint Support Nutrient is another supplement that just fails to make the top 3 within this review, with some slightly underdosed ingredients and a premium price. This makes it a worthwhile inclusion with this review. What is nice to see is the decent amount of MSN that is included within the formulation which should be noted and recommended.
Pure encapsulations Hyaluronic Acid
Pure encapsulations hyaluronic acid is not a supplement that many associate with joint mobility or joint repair. Most customers associated Hyaluronic acid with skin hydration, however there is now evidence to suggest that hyaluronic acid may have some benefits in treating joint health issues. Hyaluronic acid has been used by medical professionals to inject directly into the joint for a long time. For oral supplements, that science is less proven and currently the recommended dosage may typically be 100 to 200 mg per day. Unfortunately, Pure only includes 70mg per day.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
- Price: $43.80 for 2 months’ supply.
Pros
- Some positive reviews
- Price
- Free from nuts, wheat, soy, dairy and eggs.
Cons:
- Limited ingredients.
- Some underdosed ingredients
Conclusion: While not considered a top three pick within this review, Pure Encapsulations Hyaluronic Acid does have plenty of advocates, but while it may the lack of a multi-spectral approach that may make this supplement potentially ideal for someone just starting on their supplement journey.
Flexee
Marketed as a Revolutionary joint pain supplement featuring Ovomet® at 300mg & 5 other active ingredients, Flexee is a supplement that uses a branded ingredient derived from eggshell membrane, known for its potential support for joint health benefits.
- Form: Capsules
- Key Ingredients Glucosamine, Joint Shield™ 5-LOXIN Advanced®, Vitamin C, Manganese
- Price: $45 for a 1-month supply; 3-month supply $125
Pros
- Some positive reviews
- 17% saving on multi purchases.
- Uses Ovomet® Dosed as per daily dose recommendations.
Cons:
- Limited ingredients.
- Mixed reviews.
Conclusion: Flexee is a supplement that contains Ovomet® which is gaining some plaudits within the supplement industry, however the research surrounding the use of eggshell membrane may not be as well documented as many of the other ingredients used within this review. While there are not many independent reviews, what reviews that are available are more positive than negative.
The Bottom Line
In a world that is slowly realizing the potential health benefits of health supplements, this review has looked at the top joint supplements currently on the market today. Reviewers for this article recognize that not every supplement will work for everyone and in many cases, it may be just perseverance that will prevail.
However, within the review there are three stand-out supplements that have won awards:
Best stand alone joint supplement. This was the easiest category to judge as Elm & Rye's product may be the market leader and standout product in this category. Reviewers based this on all of their products' quality, customer requirements, reputation, reviews, and customer service that may well be above the industry standard.
Most Potent Joint Health Supplement. FlexAgain. This formulated product, blended with total transparency listing all the key ingredient dosages, standardized to replicate all the latest scientific and clinical trials. This is a premium product that has and deserves the accolades that make this a potentially potent joint health supplement.
Best budget friendly joint supplement: Joint Buddy. This supplement is somewhat of an anomaly, blending 21 scientifically backed ingredients, all the ingredients and dosages are listed and like FlexAgain does not hide behind a preparatory blend. How the manufacturer manages to maintain the price level and maintain quality, all while producing within FDA-approved facilities here in the US is impressive. With excellent customer reviews, Joint Buddy deserves its number 3 ranking.
For anyone wishing to find their way in the Joint health supplement minefield, this review may be an excellent starting point, catering to all budgets and all expectations.
