Glucosamine and chondroitin: capsules, drinks, gel

Glucosamine and chondroitin: what is behind them

Glucosamine and chondroitin are among the best-known ingredients in joint products. In food supplements, they are usually offered together. All capsules and drinks in this category contain 750 mg glucosamine and 500 mg chondroitin sulphate per daily serving. They differ in their form and in their other ingredients: from the simple capsule with vitamin C and trace elements to the drink with collagen hydrolysate, hyaluronic acid and turmeric.

Capsules, drink sachets or gel: the forms compared

Pro-Flex Drink is a further development of Mobility Complex, supplemented with collagen hydrolysate. Many other joint drinks lack glucosamine or chondroitin, and collagen is often dosed significantly lower. Pro-Flex GEL is not a food supplement but an active warming gel for external use. It cools first, then warms, is non-greasy and absorbs quickly.

Glucosamine sulphate from shellfish: form and origin

Glucosamine is processed as a salt. In all four products for oral intake, the ingredients list states sodium glucosamine sulphate from shellfish, and chondroitin is present as sodium chondroitin sulphate. The nutrition table states 750 mg glucosamine. Many other manufacturers state the amount as a salt, for example as glucosamine sulphate KCl or glucosamine hydrochloride. The figures on different packs are therefore not always directly comparable. Check what the figure refers to.

How the nutrients contribute

Some vitamins and trace elements in the formulas have authorised claims. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones. Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue. Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues. Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. Vitamin C is contained in all capsules and drinks at a level of at least 40 mg, manganese at 2 mg. Copper is contained in Mobility Complex and in both Chondrocurma products, vitamin D and vitamin K only in the Chondrocurma products. Which claim applies to which product is stated on the respective product page.

What the information on the pack means

In the EU, there is no authorised health claim for glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen hydrolysate, hyaluronic acid or turmeric. We therefore only state the amounts per daily serving and the claims that are authorised for vitamins and trace elements. This allows you to compare for yourself what a product contains.

What you can look out for when choosing

• Amount per daily serving: Glucosamine, chondroitin and all other substances should be listed individually with their amounts.
• Form: You take capsules without any preparation. You stir the sachets into 200 ml of water; they also provide 10 g collagen hydrolysate or more.
• Reference basis: Check whether the amount is stated for glucosamine or for the salt.
• Allergens: All capsules and drinks contain glucosamine sulphate from shellfish.
• Combination: Do not take several joint products at the same time without adding up the amounts per day.
• Price per daily serving: Work out the price per day. It is shown directly next to the price on every product page.

Intake and course duration

Take 3 of the capsules daily with a glass of water. Stir one sachet into 200 ml of still water every day, for example in a shaker. The manufacturer does not specify a fixed time of day. It recommends courses of at least 60 days. With Mobility Complex, Pro-Flex Drink and Chondrocurma capsules you need 2 packs for this, with Chondrocurma Plus Drink 3 packs. The Plus Drink is intended for a course over two months, the Chondrocurma capsules for continuing afterwards. The capsules are suitable for continuous use. Massage the gel into the desired areas several times a day, for example the neck, shoulders, back or knees. From 2 packs you save 5%, from 3 packs 8%, from 4 packs 12%.

Notes and manufacturer

According to the manufacturer, the capsules and drinks are not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women, for children and adolescents under 18 years of age or for people taking anticoagulant medicines (blood thinners). Chondrocurma capsules and Chondrocurma Plus Drink contain astaxanthin. Do not take any other food supplement containing astaxanthin esters on the same day, which also means not taking both Chondrocurma products together. The gel is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes and do not use an airtight compress. All products come from Vita Health Care AG, a Swiss manufacturer based in Basel, and are made in Switzerland. You will also find collagen hydrolysate as a powder and drink under Collagen & Beauty. Chondrocurma Plus Drink is also part of the For men selection.