Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Well pleased, many thanks.

Big tablets to swallow.

I have been taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements on a regular basis for quite a few years now and I am convinced that they do have a beneficial effect on joint health, particularly when taken in conjunction with MSM and / or a turmeric & black pepper supplement. This particular supplement from Xspan Labs contains a pleasingly high amount of glucosamine plus decent levels of chondroitin and some vitamin C too. I have been using this for a little while now and I can't say that my joints have been feeling any less healthy than they had been with my previous supplement, which is a positive. This particular supplement requires you to take 2 capsules per day, which at the current price of £19.97 for 120 capsules works out at a daily cost of about 22p. I have used and reviewed a number of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements over the years and I know there are perfectly good supplements out there for a cost of around 15p per day, so this one is quite a bit higher than that mark. This is certainly a perfectly good supplement, but you may be able to find better value alternatives, if you shop around. I hope you find these comments helpful.

Following my GP’s recommendation to take Glucosamine to help my arthritic joints I’ve made it a part of my morning ritual so I’m especially pleased with these from xSPAN LABS as they’re super strength and also contain Chondroitin. They’re manufactured in the UK and produced from a balanced formulation of Glucosamine Sulphate, Chondroitin Sulphate and Vitamin C. There are 180 average sized tablets in the box and at the suggested dose of two a day they’ll last for three months. They have a long best before date of July 2025 so there’s plenty of time to take them. It’s so convenient to pack tablets in a flat box and as this box measures 18.5cm x 10cm x 2cm thick there are no problems with posting them through the letterbox. I’m very pleased with the reasonable price of these tablets and the ease of taking them with no unpleasant aftertaste.

This pack is impressive value, costing about a third less than a similar pack from the leading High Street chain. What’s more, they are actually manufactured in the UK. The only additional ingredient is a low dosage of Vitamin C, but if you want to avoid the extra cost of other ingredients and just have glucosamine & chondroitin this is a good buy. Obviously with chondroitin sourced from molluscs there is no claim to be vegetarian, but the tablets are supposed to be generally “free from”. The recommended dose is given as both one and two per day; I think one per day is adequate. The container is the tall, thin “postbox friendly” style, useful for delivery if you aren’t always at home. Highly recommended.

I ordered these as I’m approaching that age, where my knee joints are beginning to creak and cause a bit of discomfort on days after walking outdoors. I have to admit I have struggled swallowing these tablets at times. I now break them in half and ensure I’ve got a full bottle of water to hand They are coated and are not offensive taste wise but for me who hasn’t taken regular large tablets or medication before, I am finding it a bit of a challenge. I am not sure if this is standard for these supplements or if alternatives sizes, shapes or gummies are available. The quantity seems good value for the price and the container is great. It’s slim enough to fit through a letterbox on delivery. I have now been taken these supplements for 2 weeks and currently have not seen any improvement, however after a quick internet search 8-12 weeks was suggested before any improvements should be expected so hopefully based on the strength of these, I should begin to see the benefits over the coming months.

I've been taking Glucosamine & Chondroitin supplements for a couple of years now, coupled with cod-liver oil. For me, it makes the difference between working or not. If I stop taking these, after a few weeks I can feel the aches, pains & restrictions in my hands & fingers. When I restart taking them, after a week I start getting relief and movement again. This is my personal experience. These tablets are a higher strength than my usual one from off the shelf and whilst no significant difference (yet) they still do work well and keep my hands working.

I chose these for my partner, who is a former athlete and personal trainer, and a highly active 62 year old. As a runner, this type of supplement helps the cartilage by slowing the degradation of it, and supports normal joint function, reducing inflammation from usage of the joints. She rates these caplets highly in terms of quality and functionality, however, it must be noted that they are very large, and as you have to take two a day, not so good if you don't easily swallow larger tablets and caplets. A pill splitter wouldn't really help, as they are large enough that the rough edges on the split would still be an issue. I doubt there is much that can be done about that, but it is important to note, if you don't take large tablets easily. But the quality is not in doubt. Hence the 4 star review. Not suitable for vegetarians and vegans, or for people with certain seafood allergies, as they contain fish and molluscs.