People shopping for joint supplements usually look at glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, MSM and turmeric. We explain what each contains and what the evidence does and doesn't show. Staying active and keeping to a healthy weight matter most.
Joint support · Collagen for joints · Turmeric & curcumin · Muscle & joint recovery · Calcium & bone health
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What helps joints most?
Regular exercise and a healthy weight. For osteoarthritis, the NHS says regular exercise that keeps you active, builds up muscle and strengthens the joints usually helps to improve symptoms, and that being overweight places extra strain on some joints.
The NHS advises following an exercise plan from your GP or physiotherapist, as doing too much too quickly may damage your joints.
Do glucosamine and chondroitin work?
The evidence is weak. The NHS says GPs no longer prescribe chondroitin and glucosamine because there is no strong evidence that they are effective. Neither has an authorised health claim, and nor does MSM (methylsulfonylmethane, a sulphur compound), so we make no joint claims for them.
What about collagen and turmeric for joints?
Which? found a fair amount of evidence that collagen can ease joint pain in people with arthritis, but that any effects may be small. It also notes there are very few long-term studies and many are funded by companies that sell collagen.
Turmeric and curcumin have no authorised health claim. Calcium does ("Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones", where a product is at least a source of calcium), but that's about bones, not joints. If you take medication or have a health condition, check with your GP or pharmacist first. Browse collagen for joints.
We sell the products on this page. That's our commercial interest, and it's why we show the evidence alongside them. This page is general information for adults, not personalised medical advice. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet.
Written by Andy Arshad, SupplementHQ. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.