Glucosamine Product Comparison Guide

	Product Image	Flexicose™	Liquid Health™	Corta-Flex™	Arthri-Gesic™
Glucosamine Dosage Amount:	1,500 mg is the clinically tested dose	1,500 mg	1,500 mg	100 mg	500 mg
Price (Per Dose):	Should be around $.85 and $1.20 a dose	Between $0.85 and $0.94 per day	$2.61 per day (10 oz) $1.55 (32 oz)	$1.16 per day (8 oz )	$2.62 per day (8 oz)
Price (Per Month):	Should be around $30 to $40 a month	$29.95 (Additional $10 off on 3 Bottles)	$83.52	$37.12	$83.84
Dosage Amount Supplied:	Should last a full month or more	Lasts 32 days per bottle	6.7 day supply with a 10 oz bottle.	24 day supply @ 2 tsp / day	24 day supply
Glucosamine Form:	Ideally contain both HCL and Sulfate	Sulfate and HCL	Only Sulfate	Sulfate * KCl (Potassium Salt)	HCL
Ingredient Purity:	Should be Pharmaceutical Quality	Pharmaceutical Quality	Unknown / Not Listed	Unknown / Not Listed	Unknown / Not Listed
Physical Form:	Should be Liquid	Liquid	Liquid	Liquid	Liquid
Synergistic Factors:	As long as cost is reasonable, should contain as many as possible	Chondroitin, MSM, Omega 3, Manganese, Yucca, Boswellia, Bromelain, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacinamide, and more.	Chondroitin Sulfate, MSM	MSM	White Willow Bark, Devils Claw, Curcumin
Shipping Cost:	Ideally it should be free or under $3.50	Free in the U.S.	$5.60	Free US	$5.99

		MaxiLIFE™	Osteo Bi-Flex™ Double Strength	Expensive Joint Formula™
Glucosamine Dosage Amount:	1,500 mg is the clinically tested dose	1500 mg	1500 mg	1500 mg
Price (Per Dose):	Should be between $.85 and $1.20 a dose	$1.81 per day	$1.47 @ 3 softgels a day	$2.24 @ 8 softgels a day
Price (Per Month):	Should be between $30 and $50 a month	$57.92	$47.04	$71.68
Dosage Amount Supplied:	Should last a full month or more	20 day supply	17 day supply	12.5 day supply
Glucosamine Form:	Ideally contain both HCL and Sulfate	Sulfate (From Potassium Salt - KCL)	HCL	Sulfate
Ingredient Purity:	Should be Pharmaceutical Quality	Unknown / Not Listed	Unknown / Not Listed	Unknown / Not Listed
Physical Form:	Should be Liquid	Tablet	Softgel	Softgel
Synergistic Factors:	As long as cost is reasonable, should contain as many as possible	Chondroitin Sulfate	Chondroitin Sulfate	Chondroitin Sulfate, MSM, Omega 3 & 6
Shipping Cost:	Ideally it should be free or under $3.50	$5.33	Generally not available online, subject to local sales tax.	$6.00

How to Evaluate a Glucosamine Product

Glucosamine has been shown in clinical study after clinical study to be effective at relieving joint pain and repairing cartilage. It is also showing great promise for its ability to slow or even halt the effects of arthritis. These studies show that Glucosamine is a safe and effective natural supplement that is better for the body than NSAIDS such as ibuprofen and aspirin and best of all, glucosamine lacks the long term detrimental effects so common with NSAIDS. Glucosamine hits osteoarthritis with a big punch – and keeps it down for the count. But you already knew that. You just want to figure out how to find the best glucosamine product out there. Let's go over some important criteria.

So You Want to Evaluate a Glucosamine Product?

Not all glucosamine products are created equal. In order to best evaluate a product, you need to consider seven things. When your healthcare and pain relief is at stake, take a moment and consider these criteria: What form is the glucosamine in? What is the total daily dose? Are there any other ingredients? What type is the glucosamine? How pure are the ingredients? What is the total cost? How is the product administered?

The form the glucosamine comes in is critical. There are three ways to get glucosamine into your system. Oral (e.g. Liquid), direct IV (into the vein) and intramuscular injection. Unless you really love daily needles, the oral option is going to be your best bet. Oral methods provide the best absorption and gives you the maximum dosage as compared to pills. Your choice of delivery method can mean all of the difference. If you want maximum absorption, the quickest effects and the best results, make sure the glucosamine product you are using is a liquid and not a pill. In addition, be especially aware of any kind of glucosamine cream based product. They are a waste of money, as there is no clinical evidence that glucosamine can even be absorbed through the skin.

The dose size is the next important thing. Almost every clinical study used a full 1,500 mg of Glucosamine. It is true, liquid provides the best absorption, but do not sell yourself short with less than 1,500 mg a day, unless you like getting less than optimal relief. If you choose a liquid product (as you should) then the dose should be 1/4 fl oz per day.

Other synergistic ingredients are important. Glucosamine alone will provide some pain relief, but look for products that contain other synergistic ingredients that work with the glucosamine to maximize your relief. While glucosamine is the “heavy hitter” when it comes to arthritis relief, ensure that you are getting as many “helper” ingredients as you possibly can, for a reasonable cost. Remember, shark cartilage is not chondroitin, make sure if you are looking for some additional chondroitin to make sure the product actually has chondroitin.

Because science has not decided which type is the most effective (or if there is any difference at all), make sure you are getting both Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine HCL to maximize your benefits from the two types. There may even be more benefits from getting both rather than risking getting the “wrong” type.

Make sure you are getting pharmaceutical quality liquid glucosamine. Do not settle for anything less. If the manufacturer does not prominently state the purity of their glucosamine, go elsewhere and fast, especially if there is no brand name on the glucosamine.

The cost is another important consideration. The best products are going to be in the $30 to $40 a month range but remember that is for a FULL 32 days. Be particularly weary of products that claim to be cheaper than this but DO NOT give you your full month. This is more true with pills, where you commonly can get 60 pills but need to take 4 a day to get the “labeled dose” of Glucosamine, which again is not even really the full amount you would get with a liquid. If you are paying more than $2 a dose (for a full 1,500 mg of Glucosamine and other synergistic ingredients), you are paying way too much. Some of the best liquid products cost about a dollar a day.

The method of administration is important. You already know why, with glucosamine, pills are not a very good option and that liquids are superior but with some products, liquids can be difficult to administer. We thought that a product known as Flexicose has a great idea when it comes to making it effortless to measure out the proper dose. Flexicose is one of the few liquid glucosamine products on the market that has a built in measuring cup. You really should see how this bottle works. Simply squeeze the bottle and the proper dose is dispensed. Plus, Flexicose contains the clinically tested 1,500 mg of pharmaceutical quality liquid glucosamine sulfate and hcl and 12 additional synergistic ingredients at a very affordable cost (under $0.90 per day.) Based on our personal experiences with Flexicose, we recommend it above all other brands. You can learn more about Flexicose or purchase it at their website, www.flexijointcare.com

Liquid Vs. Solid Absorption

Your body is 2/3 water, so doesn’t it make sense when you are supplementing your body with natural vitamins and minerals to take liquid products? Let’s explore the facts. According to the Physicians Desk Reference, only 10 – 20% of vitamin and mineral supplements in solid form are absorbed. Contrast that to the 98% absorption rate of liquid products. Some vitamin or mineral pills have even been known to pass entirely through a person, more or less intact! This simply cannot happen with a liquid. Not just that but only ¼ oz (1.5 teaspoons) a day of Flexicose is all you need. Next time check the bottle for how many pills you need to take a day. Many times you have to take 4 to 6 to get the “same” level of relief that Flexicose gives you with just one easy to take ¼ oz dose. Plus, try getting other synergistic ingredients such as Omega 3, Yucca, Boswellin or Niacinamide in a Glucosamine pill.

Liquid glucosamine such as Flexicose also has the added benefit of working faster than pills, due to the higher absorption. Instead of waiting months in some cases, the liquid glucosamine in Flexicose starts working within 1 to 2 weeks for most people. In some more severe cases it may take up to 3 or 4 weeks to see its effectiveness, but the effects are going to be stronger and last longer than other drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen, so don’t give up. Know that you are no longer just suffering in pain or covering up your pain - all the while letting things get worse. The glucosamine in Flexicose has been clinically shown to slow down the effects of osteoarthritis while relieving your pain - something no drug can claim. 

Prices were effective as of June 20th 2003.
Price per dose was calculated with the smallest dosage supplied.
Price per month was calculated based on a 32 day month, to allow for variations.
Shipping costs are included in the price per dose.
Shipping costs pulled whenever possible from the manufacturer's website.

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