The 10 Best Supplements for Joint Health of 2024, According to a Dietitian

Best Overall

Thorne Glucosamine & Chondroitin

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Thorne Research is a trusted company in the supplement world, and their Glucosamine & Chondroitin capsule gets our top pick for joint health supplements.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are used by the body to help build tendons, ligaments, and the fluid surrounding joints which helps cushion them. Both glucosamine and chondroitin support the body’s production of joint cartilage, which is needed for joints to  function properly and have good mobility. While glucosamine and chondroitin can be taken separately, some studies show that taking the two together may be more beneficial, although more research is needed.

No serious side effects have been shown for taking glucosamine and chondroitin, but note this supplement is not recommended for people on blood thinning medications. If you have blood sugar issues, are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to a healthcare professional before taking glucosamine and chondroitin.

There is some discrepancy from research and amongst healthcare professionals whether glucosamine and chondroitin can help with osteoarthritis especially related to alleviating joint pain. Be sure to consult with a healthcare professional before taking this if you are interested in taking this to help osteoarthritis.

We like that Thorne has glucosamine and chondroitin combined in an easy to take capsule that can be taken daily. Each capsule contains 250 milligrams (mg) of chondroitin and 500 mg of glucosamine. The recommended dose is to take one capsule three times per day to provide 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 750 mg of chondroitin. 

It does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, and is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. It’s important to note this supplement contains ingredients derived from shellfish and cows, so it is not suitable if you have a shellfish allergy or are vegetarian or vegan. 

Certain batches of this product are NSF Certified for Sport meaning it is third-party tested for ingredient amounts, contaminants, and banned substances. On top of this, Thorne does extensive in-house testing on all its products.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Capsule | Servings Per Container: 90 | Active ingredients: Glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate | Recommended Use: 1 capsule 3 times daily | Third-Party Certified: Yes}

Best Collagen

Momentous Collagen Peptides

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Collagen supplements may be a great choice if you’re an athlete looking to help joint health, as research shows that they may help heal and prevent soft tissue and joint injuries among active individuals. In particular, taking around 10 to 15 grams of collagen with vitamin C about one hour before exercise has been shown to help improve collagen formation.

If you are looking for a collagen supplement to help with joint health, we recommend Momentous Collagen Peptides because it is an NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport certified collagen supplement. These rigorous third-party certifications means the product has been tested for banned substances, and it can be trusted to contain what is written on the label.

Momentous Collagen Peptides contain 11.6 grams of grass-fed collagen peptides per serving along with 5.6 grams of FORTIGEL collagen hydrolysate—a form of collagen that’s easy for our bodies to absorb. It also contains 50 percent Daily Value of vitamin C, as vitamin C may help with collagen production. 

These collagen peptides are in powder form, so they can be easily added to your drink, smoothie, or liquid of choice. Momentous recommends taking this collagen supplement two to three hours after consuming caffeine on rest days or 30-60 minutes before exercise on training days. This recommendation is from some research suggesting caffeine may interfere with collagen synthesis, but more research is needed.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Powder | Servings Per Container: 30 | Active ingredients: Collagen peptides | Recommended Use: Rest days 2-3 hours post caffeine consumption, or 30-60 minutes before exercise on training days | Third-Party Certified: Yes}

Best Vitamin C

Garden of Life Vitamin C Organic Spray

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Vitamin C is required for production of collagen, which provides structure to our tendons and ligaments. Some research also shows vitamin C can help with soft tissue healing and it may decrease post-exercise inflammation. Vitamin C can be found in various fruits and vegetables such as oranges, red peppers, strawberries, and kiwi. 

Garden of Life mykind Organics Vitamin C Spray contains 60 milligrams—67% Daily Value—of vitamin C per five spray serving. We like that this tangerine flavored spray allows for adjustable dosing, so you may take more or less to meet your needs. It also contains an organic food blend made from fruits and vegetables, so be sure to read the ingredients if you have any food allergies or sensitivities. This also helps provide the natural citrus flavor, as It has no added sugar or stevia. This supplement is also suitable for vegans.

Vitamin C supports your body’s natural production of collagen, which can be helpful if you follow a vegan diet and do not use animal-derived collagen supplements. As an added bonus, this supplement was approved in a 2022 review of vitamin C supplements through ConsumerLab.com’s voluntary certification program. This verifies that the product contains what it says it contains without potentially harmful contamination.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Spray | Servings Per Container: 27 | Active ingredients: Vitamin C | Recommended Use: 5 sprays or more daily as needed | Third-Party Certified: Yes}

Best Omega-3

Klean Athlete Klean Omega

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Omega-3 fats have potent anti-inflammatory properties that may help with lowering post exercise inflammation. Some research shows that EPA and DHA, types of omega-3 fatty acids, may help with exercise recovery by reducing muscle soreness and enhancing recovery. While you can get omega-3 fats from foods such as fatty fish, walnuts, and chia seeds, a supplement may come in handy if you don’t regularly eat foods high in omega 3’s.

Klean Athlete Klean Omega contains 1,250 milligrams of marine triglyceride concentrate that provides 500 milligrams of EPA and 250 milligrams of EPA. This supplement is derived from anchovies and sardines, so it is not suitable for vegans or if you have a fish allergy. 

Klean Athlete Klean Omega is NSF Certified for Sport, so you can be sure that it contains what is written on the label and that it is free from banned substances. It is also free from artificial colorings, flavors, or sweeteners. Lastly, we like that the recommended dose is just one softgel daily with a meal.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Softgel | Servings Per Container: 60 | Active ingredients: EPA and DHA | Recommended Use: 1 softgel daily with a meal | Third-Party Certified: Yes}

Best Vegan Omega-3

DEVA Vegan Omega-3 DHA-EPA

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Omega-3 fats are mainly fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring, so omega 3 supplements are mainly derived from these fish. However, if you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or allergic to fish, you can opt for a fish-free omega-3 supplement made from algae oil. This also means you won’t be left with a fishy aftertaste, a common complaint with fish oil supplements. Research has also shown algae oil may be the best vegan source of omega 3’s, as it has been shown to increase blood levels of DHA.

DEVA Vegan Omega-3 DHA EPA Supplements contain 500 milligrams combined of DHA and EPA per softgel. These softgels are on the larger side—1.1 inches—which may not be best for those with swallowing difficulties. We do appreciate the recommended dose is only one pill daily. 

They are animal free and do not contain any gelatin or animal derived ingredients. This supplement was a top pick in a 2022 review of omega 3 supplements through ConsumerLab.com’s voluntary certification program, so it has been verified to contain what it says it contains without potentially harmful contamination.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Softgel | Servings Per Container: 60 | Active ingredients: DHA and EPA | Recommended Use: Take 1 softgel daily | Third-Party Certified: Yes}

Best Turmeric

Thorne Research Meriva SF

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You may be familiar with turmeric as a bright yellow spice you can cook with, but turmeric has also been used for centuries to help lower inflammation. Turmeric has an active compound called curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Research shows that turmeric may help enhance recovery from both resistance and endurance exercise by helping to lower inflammation. Because of this, turmeric’s help with lowering inflammation and pain may be helpful for joint health with recovery from exercise.

We like that Thorne Curcumin Phytosome uses Meriva—a clinically studied formulation of curcumin. Some studies with Meriva show it may be better absorbed by the body than other forms of curcumin. It comes in capsule form, making it easy to add to your daily regimen. It contains 250 milligrams of curcumin phytosome per capsule with the recommended dose being two capsules per day. 

This product is NSF Certified for Sport making it a good choice for athletes. Like other Thorne products, it is free of artificial flavors, colors, gluten, soy, and dairy.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Capsule | Servings Per Container: 60 | Active ingredients: Curcumin | Recommended Use: one capsule two times daily | Third-Party Certified: Yes}

Best Tart Cherry Juice

Cheribundi PURE Tart Cherry Juice

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Tart cherries and cherry juice have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may support joint health. In particular, tart cherry juice may help lower post-exercise muscle soreness and it may lessen joint pain caused by working out. There are no set guidelines when it comes to how much tart cherry juice is necessary, but most studies have shown a benefit with eight to 12 ounces twice daily.

If you are looking to add tart cherry juice for part of your workout recovery, we recommend Cheribundi PURE Tart Cherry Juice because it has 100% cherry juice with no added sugar. One 8 ounce bottle contains an equivalent of 60 cherries. This tart juice is delicious straight from the bottle, or you can use it as a base in a smoothie. Cheribundi also has tart cherries as concentrated shots in to-go pouches that can be thrown in your bag.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Liquid drink | Servings Per Container: 12 | Active ingredients: Tart cherry juice | Recommended Use: Drink 8 ounces twice daily}

Best with Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Nature Made Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex with MSM

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Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is a compound found in plants, animals, and humans that may help lessen joint pain. While research is limited, some small studies with healthy adults show that MSM may help reduce post-exercise inflammation in the body as well as help lessen joint pain from exercise. Note that MSM is considered a safe and well tolerated supplement, the best dose and timing of MSM for any health benefit needs further research.

If you are looking for a supplement that has MSM, we recommend Nature Made Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex with MSM. This product is verified by USP, one of our top third-party certifications for checking ingredient amounts and contaminants. 

This supplement comes in caplet form, and a two caplet serving has 1,500 mg glucosamine, 800 mg chondroitin, and 750 mg MSM, along with 250 percent Daily Value of vitamin D. 

The added vitamin D in this supplement may benefit active individuals who are deficient in vitamin D. However, if you already take a supplement that has vitamin D, check with a healthcare professional before adding this supplement.

Note this product is gluten-free, but it has ingredients from shellfish and crab. So, it is not suitable if you are vegan, vegetarian, or have a shellfish allergy. Because it has glucosamine and chondroitin, it is not suitable for those on blood thinning medications.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Caplets | Servings Per Container: 60 | Active ingredients: Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, vitamin D | Recommended Use: Take 2 caplets daily | Third-Party Certified: Yes}

Best Protein Powder

Momentous Recovery Protein

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If you’re looking for a quality protein powder to support your joints, we recommend Momentous Essential Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate. Protein is important for athletes — not only for muscle building, but for joint health as well. 

“Eating adequate protein is essential for joint support, as our bodies make collagen from the amino acids that come from any protein we eat,” says Anzlovar. While you can get enough protein from foods like meat, poultry, tofu, and legumes, a protein powder may be a convenient way to help you meet your needs especially if you are often on-the-go.

Momentous Essential Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport Certified, two rigorous third-party testing organizations that ensures the product contains accurate ingredient amounts and does not contain any banned substances. 

It is made with whey protein isolate, a form of whey (a milk protein) that is typically easy to digest and sourced from grass-fed cows. It also has an enzyme blend called ProHydrolase which is meant to help ease digestion and absorption. This protein is designed specifically for recovery by having a 2:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein to help restore muscle glycogen after exercise. It is also a source of calcium, iron, magnesium, and electrolytes sodium and potassium.

This protein powder is not suitable for vegans or those with milk allergies, but Momentous does make a vegan protein powder made with pea and rice protein.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Powder | Servings Per Container: 15 | Active ingredients: Whey isolate protein | Recommended Use: Mix 1 scoop with liquid of choice | Third-Party Certified: Yes}