As of: February 25, 2024, 5:05 a.m
By: Anna-Lena Kiegerl
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Stiftung Warentest tests nutritional supplements against joint pain.
But all of them are superfluous and some are even more disappointing.
Frankfurt - Dietary supplements are a very controversial topic, while some swear by them, others stay away from them.
However, they are said to be particularly unsuitable for children and can be dangerous to health if overdosed.
A sobering assessment of dietary supplements was recently published by Stiftung Warentest.
The investigation has shown that the effectiveness of the tested products is highly questionable.
The result is disappointing: all of the resources are unnecessary, and some are even risky.
18 dietary supplements at Stiftung Warentest: High cost differences
The products inspected by Stiftung Warentest include 18 dietary supplements that are specifically advertised to promote bone and cartilage function as well as general joint health.
The cost of a daily dose of these products varies significantly, ranging from 14 cents to 2.18 euros.
The assessment focused on three main criteria: the presence of essential warnings on packaging, the scientific support of effectiveness through studies and the admissibility of advertising claims.
Unfortunately, none of the remedies examined had sufficient scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness.
Therefore, they appear to be largely unnecessary and are simply a waste of money. In addition, various defects, ranging from minor to serious, were identified in 16 of the 18 products tested.
Orthomol product disappoints in the test: exceeds maximum amounts
“Chondroplus” from Orthomol is an example of the identified deficiencies in many nutritional supplements.
This product was found to exceed the maximum amounts for eight vitamins and minerals set by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), with the limit value for vitamin E being exceeded three times.
Although not immediately dangerous to health, there are concerns that high doses of vitamin E may increase the risk of prostate cancer in men over 55 years of age.
Furthermore, it was discovered that the required warning label was missing on the product.
Many people swear by nutritional supplements.
But they are often unnecessary.
© Imago/Westend61
No special approval is required for the approval of dietary supplements and manufacturers are not required to prove the effectiveness or safety of their products.
There is no conclusive evidence for any of the products examined that it relieves joint pain or prevents the development of osteoarthritis.
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Stiftung Warentest: Illegal advertising promises found on dietary supplements
Stiftung Warentest has also discovered illegal advertising promises on the packaging of some products.
Quiris Healthcare advertises with the slogan “with vitamin C for powerful joints”, while Alsiroyal advertises its joint elixir with a clinical study that is intended to prove that the plant extracts it contains have a positive effect on joint mobility.
However, such health claims require approval from the European Food Safety Authority.
Furthermore, by depicting a joint on the packaging, many producers give the impression that their products have a positive effect on joint health.
Ingredients such as chonditrin or glucosamine are either highlighted in the product name or prominently displayed on the packaging.
However, scientific proof of the effectiveness of these substances in relation to the treatment or prevention of osteoarthritis is still lacking.
Nutritional supplements at Stiftung Warentest: 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 not recommended for osteoarthritis and joint problems.
Rather, the well-known advice that exercise is the most effective treatment is followed.
This point of view is also taken by the Barmer health insurance company, which recommends two to three hours of exercise per week for those affected, with a focus on sports that are gentle on the joints, such as Nordic walking, aqua fitness or cycling.
Without deficiency, nutritional supplementation is not necessary for adults
Supplements are generally not necessary for healthy adults.
The Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety also notes: “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.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.