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 11 of the best glucosamine supplements 2021.
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 supplements 2021
Here is a round-up of our customers’ favourite glucosamine supplements here at Holland & Barrett:
- The best glucosamine supplement with collagen
- The best everyday glucosamine supplement
- The best glucosamine and vitamin C tablets
- The best vegetarian and vegan glucosamine supplement
- The best glucosamine and chondroitin supplement
- The best glucosamine supplements with omega 3
- The best glucosamine effervescent tablets
- The best glucosamine tablets with rose hip
- The best glucosamine liquid supplement
- The best glucosamine patches
- The best glucosamine supplements for pets
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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
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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.”
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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!”
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The best vegetarian and vegan glucosamine supplement
Holland & Barrett Vegetarian Glucosamine Hydrochloride, 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
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The best glucosamine and chondroitin supplement
Holland & Barrett High Strength Glucosamine and Chondroitin Complex, 120 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 hydrolysed cartilage and other complementary ingredients.
Key benefits:
- High-strength glucosamine and chondroitin tablets -essential building blocks for your joints, cartilage, bones and more
- Contain hydrolysed cartilage – a complex structural protein found in your hair, skin and nails
- Easy to swallow coated tablets
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The best glucosamine supplements with omega 3
Holland & Barrett Glucosamine Plus Freedom, 120 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!
Glucosamine Plus Freedom tablets contain a potent formula of glucosamine, omega 3 fatty acids, chondroitin, vitamin C, vitamin D, manganese and zinc.
This winning combination is just the trick for supporting muscle, bones and cartilage and maintain movement.
Key benefits
- A unique and effective formulation of glucosamine, omega-3, chondroitin, and other vitamins and minerals
- Supports muscle, bones and cartilage to maintain movement
- Easy-to-take soft gel capsules
What our customers think
Cloud – Great product – 5/5 stars
“Great product for keeping health. I’m happy to use it.”
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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.”
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The best glucosamine tablets with rose hip
Holland & Barrett Glucosamine / Chondroitin & Rose Hip, 60 Caplets
This trio of ingredients is great for those who need a bit of extra joint, cartilage and bones support.
Glucosamine, chondroitin, and rose hips all complement each other perfectly in these easy-to-take coated tablets.
Key benefits:
- Expert formulation combining glucosamine, chondroitin and rose hips (a natural source of vitamin C)
- Essential building blocks for joints and cartilage
- Quality assured and easy-to-swallow coated caplets
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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.”
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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
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The best glucosamine supplements for pets
Holland & Barrett Glucosamine For Pets, 60 Caplets
Our furry companions sometimes need some extra support for their bones, joints and cartilage.
That’s why we have developed this glucosamine complex for pets here at Holland & Barrett, containing glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.
These quality-assured coated caplets give your pet the same high-quality support that you demand in supplements you take yourself.
Key benefits
- Unique pet-friendly combination of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM
- Helps to support the joints, cartilage and bones of your cats and dogs
- Quality-assured coated caplets
What our customers think
Bolliboo – Try this, great results – 5/5 stars
“Great product m. Made a massive difference to my 15 yr old puppy. Now playing and jumping around like a spring lamb.”
Hurley01 – FAST RESULTS – 5/5 stars
“So, my dog had a bit of a limp with her front arm, we weren’t sure what it was.
However, we wanted to put her into joint supplements as some point anyway, So we thought we would try these.
I gave my dog these in the morning and come the afternoon her limp had almost gone! I could not believe it, So I will definitely be keeping her on these and would definitely recommend them!”
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: 14 September 2021
