Joint and Bone Supplements

Healthspan customer reviews

Joint and bone health guides

How Do Supplements Help Joint and Bone Health?

Joint pain can occur at any age, although it becomes more common as we get older. As load-bearing joints, the hips and knees tend to be particularly prone to issues.

Joint supplements can be used to provide preventative support as well as reduce existing symptoms – usually by protecting the body's cartilage or collagen, or by reducing inflammation.

Which Supplements Are Best for Joint and Bone Health?

In today's supplement market, numerous products claim to offer the ultimate solution for joint and bone care, so it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the abundance of choice. However, we understand the importance of finding the right supplements to support your joint and bone health. To help you understand which supplement does what, below is a breakdown of each supplement, providing you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your joint and bone care.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is traditionally made from shellfish, but Healthspan's Optiflex® glucosamine is made from a sustainable and natural corn-based source that is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Find out more about how Healthspan creates the best-quality glucosamine, while catering for vegans and vegetarians and being kinder to the environment.

Turmeric

Turmeric is extracted from the root of the Indian flowering plant, Curcuma longa, which is part of the ginger family. It is hailed as the 'golden spice' and has been an integral part of Indian and Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years. Turmeric is believed to help joints primarily due to its active compound, curcumin, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

Healthspan's turmeric formulations are also suitable for vegetarians and vegans. However, any formulations containing chondroitin and collagen are not vegetarian, as they are, by nature, made from animal products. Healthspan's comprehensive joint and bone health range includes Opti-Turmeric® (30 or 60 capsules), Healthspan's number 1 bestseller for joint and immune health. With optimal turmeric absorption from 500mg of high-strength liquid curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, it is 185x better absorbed and 7x faster acting than standard powdered turmeric.

Take a look at our turmeric vs glucosamine guide to compare two of our most popular joint support supplements, and consider which one might be the better fit for your needs.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a vital role in collagen synthesis, the process crucial for forming the structural foundation of connective tissues such as joints. Its presence ensures the proper formation of collagen, thus maintaining the integrity of our joint cartilage. Additionally, Vitamin C exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which can aid in alleviating joint inflammation. Healthspan's max strength Optiflex® Glucosamine has added vitamin C to promote the normal formation of collagen, as well as the benefits of glucosamine.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is an important structural component of cartilage (which in effect cushions and protects your joints), while glucosamine is often described as a 'building block' for the proteins that make joint cartilage. A common question is 'Is chondroitin the same as glucosamine?', but the simple answer is no. They are not the same supplement, but they are commonly used together in one supplement complex or alongside one another.

Although glucosamine supports the structure of cartilage, chondroitin is an integral part of the cartilage that is responsible for its resistance to compression, so the two work well together to offer possible relief from joint problems, as well as having the potential to slow the deterioration of the cartilage within our joints.

Healthspan has chondroitin supplements available in two forms. The number 1 best-selling ChondroMax® (60 or 120 tablets) provides high levels of glucosamine (500mg) and chondroitin (400mg), as well as added vitamin C for the ultimate joint health supplement. Alternatively, there is also Chondroitin 400 (90 tablets), offering 400mg of chondroitin per tablet, as well as benefiting from added vitamin C.

Collagen

Collagen contributes to joint and bone health by providing structural support, maintaining cartilage integrity, supporting bone density, facilitating joint lubrication, and promoting tissue regeneration. It is the protein that provides strength and structure to most of your body's tissues – from your skin and nails to your teeth, bones, and muscles. In our collagen for joints guide, health journalist and author Karen Evennett highlights the significance of collagen in maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of various bodily tissues.

Healthspan Super Strength Marine Collagen Complex (60 tablets) provides 1000mg of collagen peptides per tablet. As well as featuring added vitamin C and copper, this complex benefits from the addition of type II collagen, which is rich in amino acids and subsequently contributes to the normal formation of joint cartilage.

Rosehip

Rosehip, derived from the wild rose species Rosa canina, stands as a valuable natural resource rich in vitamin C. This essential nutrient plays a pivotal role in the body's ability to produce collagen, a vital component in the formation and maintenance of cartilage – the connective tissue crucial for joint health and mobility. By incorporating rose hip into your dietary routine, you can harness its potent vitamin C content to support the integrity and resilience of your joints, promoting overall bone and joint health.

Healthspan has two rose hip supplements: Rose Hip (120 tablets), which provides 250mg of rose hip extract, and Super Strength Rose Hip (90 tablets), which provides 625mg of rose hip extract. Both supplements contain added vitamin C for extra joint support.

How To Reduce Joint Pain and Stiffness

While aching and stiff joints can start to affect every aspect of your day-to-day life, you may be wondering 'Why am I experiencing joint pain?' Finding the root cause can help you to understand both how to ease the ache and also try to prevent the pain. Your overall health can have a significant impact on the level of joint pain that you experience. Some of the elements that can contribute to this can include weight, menopause, activity levels and mood and stress levels. Our helpful Advice Centre features a detailed article covering these 5 surprising causes of joint problems and what you can do about them.

Natural Pain Relief for Joints

One pain relief method that is often recommended for aching bones and joints is temperature-based remedies. Cold therapies such as gel ice packs can offer quick relief from aches and pains, relieve joint pain and help to temporarily reduce swelling and inflammation. On the other side of gauge, heat pads and hot water bottles can provide a soothing warmth and temporarily ease joint stiffness.

Movement could be considered one of the best natural painkillers, and getting enough exercise is one of the highly recommended remedies for joint pain. Not only does movement such as walking and swimming help to boost endorphins, but it will also help to manage weight, keep joints flexible and strengthen the muscles around the joints to provide more support.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies have also been shown to reduce joint discomfort. Bromelain is a herbal supplement made from a naturally occurring enzyme that is derived from the pineapple plant. This enzyme causes the body to create substances that fight pain and swelling, easing the pain of joint inflammation and stiffness. Devil's Claw is a plant derived from the sesame family, whose root contains iridoid glycosides, which are believed to have strong anti-inflammatory effects.

Healthspan's Devils Claw JointAid is a Registered Traditional Herbal Medicine (THR) and is traditionally used for the relief of backache, rheumatic or muscular pain and general joint aches and pains.

Joint Supplements for Over 70s

As we get older, the cumulative effect of wear and tear is amplified by the fact our joints are also less able to repair themselves, while our body is less efficient at absorbing vitamins and minerals.

Healthspan has two joint health supplements specifically designed for people over 70, with higher amounts of active ingredients and fast-absorbing formulas.  

Fast Release Glucosamine 70 Plus contains Optiflex® Glucosamine HCl, plus calcium and vitamins C and D3 to support joint cartilage, bones and muscles. The easy-to-digest, fast-release capsules work faster than standard tablets, so the active ingredients are better absorbed.

ChondroMax® 70 Plus provides all the same ingredients, with added chondroitin and white willow bark extract, to ensure comprehensive joint support in fast-dissolving tablets.

Bones can also become thinner as we get older, particularly after the menopause. A calcium supplement can make sure you're getting enough of this important bone mineral. Healthspan's Calcium product has added vitamin D, which is vital for calcium to be absorbed properly by the body.

Joint Supplements for Athletes

Thanks to high training loads and extra demands on their joints, athletes are another group who are likely to benefit from joint supplements.

Healthspan Elite supplements are trusted by some of the world's biggest athletes and sports teams, thanks to their high-strength, premium ingredients. Everything in the range is batch-tested for banned substances and approved by Informed Sport, to make them safer for competing athletes.

Bestsellers include Elite Opti-Turmeric®, Elite Joint Physio Glucosamine HCl 1,325mg (which contains the maximum permitted amount of glucosamine) and Elite Joint Physio Glucosamine & Chondroitin, combining expert-recommended levels of glucosamine and chondroitin in a single supplement. 

One of the newest additions to the range, Elite Collagen Repair is specially formulated to support repair and recovery. The advanced formula provides 20g collagen peptides per serving, mirroring the proportion of type I and type III collagen peptides found in ligaments and tendons.

Joint and Bone Health Supplements at Healthspan

The broad range of joint supplements in the Healthspan range means there is something for everyone – whatever your lifestyle, dietary preferences, age or joint health concerns.

As joint health can be a multifaceted issue, many people get the best results from a combination of joint health nutrients, so you might want to pair your products for the optimum benefits.

In addition, supplements can take 8-12 weeks to reach optimum levels in your body, so do give them enough time to work before deciding if they are right for you. Find out more about how long it takes supplements to work.

If you need more advice or have any questions about Healthspan's joint health range, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert team.