Pawlak R, Parrott SJ, Raj S, Cullum-Dugan D, Lucus D. How prevalent is vitamin B12 deficiency among vegetarians? Nutr Rev. 2013;71(2):110–117.

Anyone looking at joint products repeatedly comes across the same three names: glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. They sound technical but are easy to explain. It is important to us to be honest here, including about the state of the evidence.

Glucosamine

Collagen is obtained from cattle, pigs, fish or chicken. We show you how to identify the origin and why a certificate says more than “bovine collagen” on the label.

On labels it appears as glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamine sulfate is often stabilized with potassium chloride or sodium chloride. That’s why a good nutrition table distinguishes between the compound and the actual glucosamine it contains. In Joint Ease, each serving contains 1,393 mg of glucosamine sulfate–potassium chloride, of which 825 mg is glucosamine. If you’re allergic to shellfish, ask the manufacturer about the source before buying a glucosamine product.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin sulphate is a natural component of cartilage. It binds a lot of water and thus gives the tissue its elasticity. It is obtained from animal cartilage, depending on the manufacturer from cattle, pigs, chicken or fish. For Muslims, this is a crucial point: if the label only says “chondroitin sulphate”, the origin is unclear. A halal certificate provides clarity here.

MSM

MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane, an organic sulfur compound. It occurs in trace amounts in fruit, vegetables, milk and coffee. For dietary supplements, MSM is produced synthetically, so it is neither of animal nor of plant origin. There are a number of studies on the safety of MSM, which describe it as well tolerated even in higher amounts.

If you are taking anticoagulant medication, talk to your doctor before using these products. This applies to glucosamine and chondroitin as well as to vitamin K.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar, i.e. a sugar molecule with a nitrogen group. The body produces it itself and uses it as a building block for larger molecules in connective tissue and cartilage. For food supplements, glucosamine is usually obtained from the shells of crustaceans or produced by fermentation, for example from corn.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed and not authorised proposed health claims for glucosamine and chondroitin. That’s why you won’t find any efficacy promises for these substances from us. What we are allowed to say and can substantiate relates to the vitamins and minerals in Joint Ease: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage and bones. Vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese contribute to the maintenance of normal bones.

A green halal logo on the packaging, on the other hand, is quickly printed. If in doubt, ask to see the certificate itself. A reputable supplier will send it to you or make it publicly available.

• Not every animal-derived ingredient is as obvious as gelatine. These terms crop up again and again in supplements:
• Pay attention to the origin of chondroitin and to potential allergens in glucosamine.
• We chose methylcobalamin because it is already in one of the active forms. To be honest: the studies so far do not show that it is clearly superior to cyanocobalamin for healthy people. Both forms are suitable for ensuring adequate intake.
• Food supplements are no substitute for medical diagnosis. If you have symptoms, please have them checked.

You can find everything that’s in Joint Ease, including all quantities, in the nutrition table on the product page and on our Science page.

Sources

1. With food supplements, most people first look at the active ingredient: how much magnesium, how much vitamin D? The capsule itself is easy to overlook. Yet it is often precisely this part that makes a product unsuitable for Muslims, vegetarians or vegans.
2. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific opinions on the substantiation of health claims related to glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, EFSA Journal, 2009.
3. Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ. Methylsulfonylmethane: applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement. Nutrients. 2017;9(3):290.