If your joints are feeling a little (or a lot!) stiff or they’re in need of some good old TLC – glucosamine could help.
We’ll give you the full rundown on glucosamine including what it is, what it does, and the potential benefits, as well as the best glucosamine tablets for 2023.
What is glucosamine?
Glucosamine is a natural sugar compound that our bodies make.
You can also find it in some other natural tissues and animals like shellfish, animal bones and fungi, as well as in supplement form.1,2
What does glucosamine do?
Our bodies use glucosamine as a building block for cartilage in our joints.
11 of the best glucosamine tablets & supplements
Here is a round-up of our customers’ favourite glucosamine supplements here at Holland & Barrett:
- The best glucosamine tablet with collagen
- The best everyday glucosamine tablet
- The best glucosamine and vitamin C tablets
- The best vegetarian and vegan glucosamine tablet
- The best glucosamine and chondroitin supplement
- The best glucosamine tablets with omega 3
- The best glucosamine effervescent tablets
- The best glucosamine liquid supplement
- The best glucosamine patches
-
The best glucosamine supplement with collagen
H&B Expert Multi Action Joint Support 30 Capsules
This high-strength multi-action supplement contains everything you need to support your joints.
Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, omega-3, undenatured collagen, turmeric and ginger all work together to help keep your joints healthy and mobile.
Key benefits:
- Contains 1500mg of glucosamine, plus high strength Chondroitin, MSM, Omega 3, and undenatured collagen
- Added joint-supporting botanicals turmeric and collagen
- Advanced bioavailability formula for best results
-
The best everyday glucosamine supplement
Holland & Barrett Glucosamine Sulphate 1000mg, 120 Tablets
This double strength glucosamine sulphate formula provides ample glucosamine.
The best thing about it? You only have to take one tablet a day to get 785mg of glucosamine.
Key benefits
- High strength glucosamine sulphate containing 785mg of glucosamine per tablet
- Formulated to help support your joints and cartilage
- Take just one tablet a day with a meal
What our customers think
Cristina G – Good quality – 5/5 stars
“Good quality product!! In just a few days after taking it I felt better. I recommend it for sure. Also a nice price.”
-
The best glucosamine and vitamin C tablets
Holland & Barrett Glucosamine Sulphate 500mg, 240 Capsules
Glucosamine sulphate and vitamin C are a dream team when it comes to supporting your joints and cartilage.
This is because glucosamine is a major structural component of joint tissue and vitamin C supports the normal function of collagen (the building blocks of joints, skin, cartilage, etc.).
You can also get this supplement in a 60-capsule pack size here, or a 120-capsule pack here.
Key benefits
- 500mg of high-quality glucosamine per capsule
- Contains vitamin C to support the normal function of cartilage
- Easy to swallow coated capsules – simply take 2 a day with a meal for best results
What our customers think
Donthaveone – Fine product, excellent service! – 5/5 stars
“I find the 500mg Glucosamine capsules to be FAR more efficacious than alternative tablets and Holland & Barrett is the only viable provider I am aware of; the service was first rate!”
-
The best vegetarian and vegan glucosamine supplement
Holland & Barrett Vegan Max Strength Glucosamine HCI 1325mg 60 Tablets
Finally - a glucosamine supplement that vegans and vegetarians can enjoy too!
These coated tablets contain glucosamine hydrochloride – which is completely plant-based and comes from a fungus called Aspergillus niger.
Key benefits:
- 100% vegan and vegetarian friendly and easy to swallow
- Take just one high-strength tablet a day for 1325mg of glucosamine hydrochloride
-
The best glucosamine and chondroitin supplement
Holland & Barrett High Strength Glucosamine and Chondroitin Complex, 90 Tablets
When you think of joint care – glucosamine and chondroitin are some of the most popular supplements that can help.
That’s why we’ve combined them in this high-strength formula with MSM and other complementary ingredients.
Key benefits:
- High-strength glucosamine and chondroitin tablets -essential building blocks for your joints, cartilage, bones and more
- These supplements contain MSM – a natural form of organic sulphur which supports the body’s production of glycosaminoglycans (key components of cartilage).
- Easy to swallow coated tablets
-
The best glucosamine supplements with omega 3
H&B Expert Multi Action Joint Support 30 Capsules
If you’re looking for a supplement that ticks all the boxes when it comes to joint, bone and muscle health, this is it!
This comprehensive formulation contains vitamin C which contributes to normal collagen formation to support the normal function of cartilage; manganese and copper which contributes to the normal function of connective tissue within the body and ginger root extract which helps support the flexibility of joints.
What’s more this formulation includes premium turmeric extract, containing our highest strength 95% curcuminoids; clinically studied undenatured collagen; high potency EPA rich fish oil with glucosamine sulphate, MSM as well as a high dose of chondroitin.
Key benefits
- Supports muscle, bones and cartilage to maintain movement, plus added turmeric and ginger.
- This collagen retains its 3D structure more than the more well-known hydrolysed collagen, which is typically fragmented.
- Easy-to-take tablets and Omega 3 soft gel capsules
What our customers think
Robyn – 5/5 stars
“Excellent product.”
-
The best glucosamine effervescent tablets
Holland & Barrett Glucosamine 1250mg, 15 Effervescent Tablets
These glucosamine effervescent tablets are a great alternative for those who don’t like or can’t take tablets.
You get all the same nutrients as other glucosamine supplements plus a tasty lemon flavour to wash it all down nicely.
Key benefits
- A fizzy, lemon-flavoured way to supplement glucosamine and vitamin C for joint support
- Take just one tablet a day for 40mg of vitamin C and 1350mg of glucosamine
- A great alternative for those who don’t like to take tablets
What our customers think
Sarah – Glucosamine in an effervescent tablet – 5/5 stars
“Not taken long enough to assess effectiveness but a nice way to get glucosamine and vitamin C.”
-
The best glucosamine liquid supplement
Holland & Barrett Glucosamine Chondroitin & MSM Complex Liquid
Prefer to sip or shot your supplements instead of taking tablets? This fruit-punch glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM liquid could be just what you’ve been looking for.
Simply take 1 tablespoon a day to enjoy the benefits.
Key benefits
- A great tasting fruit-punch flavour liquid blend of Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM
- Ideal for joint, tendons, ligaments and muscle support
- Easy for intake in liquid format – especially for those who don’t like to take tablets
What our customers think
L Bailey – H&B Liquid Glucosamine – 5/5 stars
“A good product and seems to keep my joints healthy. I certainly notice the difference when I stop taking it. Would recommend to anyone who can't swallow large capsules or tablets (like me!) Very pleasant fruity taste and the addition of vitamin C is a plus, too.”
-
The best glucosamine patches
Vitabiotics Jointace Patch, 8 Patches
Put the glass of water down and pop one of these glucosamine patches on instead!
This is a combination of glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin and aromatherapy oils.
A deep-acting liposomal release system facilitates the transfer of active ingredients through the skin.
Key benefits:
- Provides 12-hour active delivery of glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin and aromatherapy oils through a liposomal release system
- Relax with the scents of a beautiful combination of ginger, eucalyptus, sweet orange, clove, lavender, and fennel oil
You also asked:
Some research and anecdotal evidence suggest that glucosamine supplements can be beneficial when it comes to your joint health.
However, more evidence is needed before a conclusion can be drawn on the efficacy of glucosamine supplements.
Yes! You can get vegan- and vegetarian-friendly glucosamine from the cell walls of some fungi, including Zygomycetes and Ascomycetes.
Yes, it is often advised to take glucosamine.
You can also find glucosamine creams and patches for your skin, which typically contain less glucosamine (check the product labels for more information).
Glucosamine is a beneficial compound for most people – so it is rarely considered ‘bad’.
However, although side effects are rare, supplementing glucosamine can sometimes cause certain side effects, like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Skin reactions
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
There are also certain groups of people who should avoid glucosamine supplements, including:
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Asthmatics
- Diabetics
- People with glaucoma
- People with high cholesterol
- People allergic to shellfish (unless you have a vegetarian supplement)
- If you’re having surgery in the next 2 weeks
Last updated: 2 February 2023
