As of: February 23, 2024, 10:17 a.m
By: Anna-Lena Kiegerl
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Dietary supplements for joint pain – not a good idea.
Because, as Stiftung Warentest found out, these are unnecessary.
Kassel – Many people swear by dietary supplements and are convinced of their effectiveness.
There are also numerous offers for children.
Now Stiftung Warentest has examined some of these products - with sobering results.
All of the products tested are unnecessary, and a large number are even risky.
Stiftung Warentest tests 18 dietary supplements: All of them are probably unnecessary
Stiftung Warentest examined a total of 18 dietary supplements from a medical and nutritional perspective.
The focus was on products whose name and presentation had a connection to maintaining bone and cartilage function or general joint health.
The prices for a daily ration varied greatly, from 14 cents to 2.18 euros.
The focus of the test was on three aspects: important warnings on the packaging, the ability to prove the effect through studies, and the admissibility of advertising claims.
The disappointing conclusion: There is not enough scientific evidence for any of the remedies to ensure their effectiveness.
The funds are therefore most likely unnecessary and therefore a waste of money.
In addition, 16 of the 18 tested agents have other more or less major defects.
Dietary supplements in the test: Orthomol product exceeds maximum amounts
An example of these defects is “Chondoplus” from Orthomol.
This product exceeds the maximum amounts issued by the BfR for 8 vitamins and minerals.
In the case of vitamin E it is even 3 times higher.
Although this is not acutely dangerous to health, high doses of the vitamin are suspected of increasing the risk of prostate cancer in men over 55.
In addition, the warning is missing.
Dietary supplements do not require approval, nor do manufacturers have to prove effectiveness or safety.
Overall, there is no evidence for any of the products that they can relieve joint problems or prevent osteoarthritis.
Stiftung Warentest finds illegal advertising promises: “with vitamin C for powerful joints”
There are also unauthorized advertising promises on some packaging.
Quiris Healthcare uses the slogan “with vitamin C for powerful joints”, while Alsiroyal Joint Elixir advertises with a clinical study that aims to prove that the plants it contains have a positive effect on joint mobility.
Such health claims must be approved by the European Food Safety Authority.
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Many people swear by nutritional supplements.
© Imago/Oleksandr Latkun
In addition, many of the manufacturers depict a joint on the packaging, which makes it appear that the products have a positive effect on them.
In addition, ingredients such as chonditrin or glucosamine are mentioned in the name or present on the packaging.
However, the effectiveness of these substances against osteoarthritis cannot yet be proven.
Stiftung Warentest tests dietary supplements: These are the results
Superfluous
: Nature Love: Bones & Cartilage MSM 2000, Raab Vitalfood: Rose Hips
Superfluous with small defects
(joints shown on packaging): Abtei: Aktiv Collagen 5000, Hübner: Arthoro Arthro, Salus: Salusan Ortho
Superfluous with defects
(either warnings were missing, officially recommended maximum values were exceeded or unauthorized health promises were made): Alsiroyal: Joint Elixir, dm: Mivolis Glucosamine 1,250 Nutrient Complex, Doppelherz: Active Glucosamine 1550, Doppelherz: System Collagen 11000 Plus, Quiris Healthcare: CH-Alpha Plus, Tetesept: Glucosamine 1550
Superfluous with significant deficiencies
(all exceed recommended maximum amounts and lack warnings): Amitamin: Arthro 360, Dr.
Böhm: Joints & Cartilage, Dr.
Loges: Flexiloges joint nutrition, Müller: Silavit Glucosamine 1500, Orthomol: Chondroplus, Pure Encapsulations: Chondro Aktiv
Dietary supplements are therefore not a good idea for osteoarthritis and joint problems.
Instead, the well-known saying applies here: exercise is the best medicine.
The Barmer health insurance company also recommends too much exercise if you have osteoarthritis.
She recommends two to three hours a week.
Sports that are gentle on the joints, such as Nordic walking, aqua fitness or cycling, should be practiced.
Nutritional supplements are usually not necessary for healthy adults
In general, nutritional supplements are usually unnecessary for healthy adults.
This is also what the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety writes: “Food supplements are generally unnecessary for healthy people who eat a balanced and varied diet.
They are also not a replacement for an appropriate diet with lots of fruit and vegetables.
A one-sided, unbalanced diet cannot be compensated for by taking nutritional supplements." Accordingly, nutritional supplements only make sense if people do not get enough nutrients in their diet. For example, the intake of calcium can be useful for people who do not eat dairy products. “In addition, dietary supplements are not used to treat diseases,” the Federal Office also notes.