Consumer Reports studies bone-joint supplements

Drug Store News, Feb 18, 2002

YONKERS, N.Y. -- The January issue of Consumer Reports published findings of a safety and efficacy study it conducted on 19 different bone-joint dietary supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin or both.

The magazine's medical experts recommended the natural regimen to arthritis sufferers. However, the report came with a warning to manufacturers: do a better job labeling. The study found that several products--though certainly not all--contained less active ingredient than actually were listed on the label. Tests found four supplements that didn't have at least 90 percent of its ingredients as labeled, including ArthxDs and Solgar Extra Strength--which Consumer Reports identified as the most expensive regimen in its study, costing as much as $1.65 per day.

Brands receiving passing grades include CVS Maximun Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin, Wal-Mart's Spring Valley, GNC, McNeil's Aflexa, Nutramax' CosaminDS, Rexall Sundown's Osteo Bi-Flex, Twinlab, Weider's Schiff, Whitehall Robins' Flexagen and Nature's Bounty's Puritan Pride mail order line.