J: best Joint & cartilage natural health supplements

Health Tips

There are three main categories of joint health products: firstly the construction materials, secondly the products for acid-alkaline balance, and thirdly the products for anti-pain, anti-oxidation or anti-inflammation.
We believe almost everyone should consider taking joint construction materials, preferably long before there is any joint problem.
However acid balance is also important. Eat a balanced diet including plenty of vegetables (except not spinach or rhubarb)--minimize sugar, soft drinks, alcohol, coffee, tea and chocolate--and try supplements especially cherry and celery seed. (Also helpful are fish oil and flax oil in shelf H--and calcium and magnesium supplements in shelf M.)

NF-3130

Glucosamine HCL 500mg + MSM 500mg

no-chondroitin 120vcap (Now) $17.55

Glucosamine is the most basic joint support.

Perhaps the two most popular joint support supplements are glucosamine and chondroitin. However glucosamine is easier to absorb. Comparing a glucosamine to a chondroitin molecule is like comparing a marble to a basketball. Also, "glucosamine is an essential substrate for the formation of glycoaminoglycans (GAG’s) and proteoglycans, which are the main components of cartilage tissue." There are two main types of glucosamine. "Glucosamine sulfate" has a synergistic advantage of containing sulfur. However "glucosamine HCL" is more compact so more can fit in a pill. By adding MSM, a sulfur-containing joint support in its own right, the result is an especially practical supplement.

Liquid joint supplements can replace numerous pills.

The most comprehensive joint supplement is Fluid Motion. One tablespoon or 1/2 oz. supplies 750 mg. glucosamine sulfate plus chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid (HA) and several advanced forms of collagen. Flex Mobility is a vegetarian formula that supplies 1,000 mg. glucosamine HCL per tablespoon. Flex Mobility also contains MSM, HA and special herbs, but no chondroitin and no collagen.

HD-0229

Fluid Motion comprehensive liquid joint support

glucosamine, chondroitin, HA, multi-collagen, fructose 30oz (10% DISCOUNT) (Health Direct) $44.95

NF-3432

Flex Mobility Liquid Glucosamine HCL

+MSM, HA, herbs, fructose, xylitol, no-chondroitin 16oz (Now) $19.95

Some people have better results from collagen than from glucosamine.

The most advanced collagen supplement is Arthred Powder by Nutricology. A lower molecular weight means more might be absorbed and also that you might take more without digestive stress. Depending on your budget and dietary goals, you can take Arthred by the half-teaspoon or by the heaping tablespoon with your favorite drinks or cereals. Chicken Collagen Type II is possibly the most well-researched form of collagen supplement. This comes in a capsule so it may be more convenient at certain times. Ideally, take both capsules and powders, if you wish to be sure of a sustained supply.

N52-890

Arthred Collagen Powder

small molecule 240gm (Nutricology) $23.90

DAZ-115

Chicken Collagen Capsules

Type II 500mg 120cap (DAZ) $33.55

N54-740

Skin Glow HA

reduced molecule hyaluronic acid 70mg 150gel-S (Nutricology) $50.00

The most serious HA supplement.

HA (hyaluronic acid) is a leading ingredient in supplements for the skin and the joints. However, we doubt that ordinary HA supplements are effective. Skin Glow is one of the few HA supplements that claim properly to have reduced the molecular size. For external use, nip open a Skin Glow capsule with scissors or teeth. For internal use, the Skin Glow pill is small and fits easily in almost any supplement program.

Cherry pills are the best thing for PH balance.

You have probably heard of acid-alkaline balance, or "PH balance", and of the problems that occur from increased imbalances as we age. You also probably know about supplements containing baking soda or other so-called "alkalizers". However the human body has a complex buffering system. Failure to work naturally with this system may produce "acid rebound" or other long term side effects. In our opinion, the best supplement for PH balance is Black Cherry Capsules. Taking one or two pills daily is better than waiting for an imbalance and then taking high doses. Also eat celery raw and in your cooking. Perhaps consider 1-2 cherry pills with breakfast and lunch and 1-2 Celery Power Capsules in the afternoon and evening. If you need extra support for PH balance, also consider Alkalizing Tea Bags. These are not very strong but are convenient and can be used alone or right along with your favorite flavor of herbal tea. Hyssop Tea Bags also may support alkalizing and can be used together with the Alkalizing Tea Bags for a stronger beverage. Equally important:

See shelf H for flax oil and fish oil.
See shelf D for Colon Green fiber capsules.

NF-4630 j1

Black Cherry Capsules

750mg 90cap (Now) $15.15

550-764 j1

Celery Seed Power Capsules

450mg extract + 50mg celery seed 100cap (Nature's Herbs) $7.95

651-133 j1

Alkalizing Tea Bags

apple cinnamon 24bag (Body Rescue) $5.00

456-129 j1

Hyssop Tea Bags

24bag (Alvita) $3.50

233-429

Advanced Shark Cartilage

standardized 500mg 100cap (Twinlab) (NO DISCOUNT. $10 automatic donation.) $32.99

The only good cartilage currently comes from sharks.

Advanced Shark Cartilage is the only "standardized" cartilage supplement we can find. In our opinion, non-standardized cartilage is relatively indigestible and should not be taken.

Unfortunately many species of shark are endangered due to overfishing, habitat destruction and the poaching of fins. (An informative discussion can be found at The Environment Site.org.) We doubt that dietary supplements contribute significantly to this problem. However we wish to make sure. We therefore do not offer discounts on shark products. Instead we will donate to nonprofit research and conservation efforts $10 per bottle sold of Shark Liver Oil 655-878 and of Advanced Shark Cartilage 233-429.

Please keep dietary supplements out of reach of children.

Consult with your doctor about any dietary supplements for anyone pre-adult, elderly, pregnant, nursing, on medication or with any potential medical condition. No dietary supplement listed on this website is intended to diagnose, prevent, mitigate or treat any disease.

Unreferenced "quotes" indicate slightly edited manufacturer statements from a product's label, or from official supplier websites, and have not been evaluated by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration). All unquoted statements on this website are uncredentialed opinions that also have not been evaluated by the FDA. No statement on this website is intended as personal advice.
(Our "suggestions" are only examples of typical use which might not be appropriate for some individuals.)

Our prices are at least 20% below standard retail price (SRP), except as noted, as determined by the listing of a major distributor. Prices or product specifications may change without notice.

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DAZ=Doctor's A-Z, pak=packets, tab=tablets, sub=sublingual lozenges, waf=chewable wafers, gel=softgel capsules, cap=2-piece capsules, vcap=vegetarian 2-piece capsules, S=quite small, L=slightly large. We try to be accurate and we will appreciate any corrections.

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