NOW Glucosamine 1000 review: a simple 1 gram glucosamine capsule for joints
NOW Foods keeps joint support simple with 1 gram of glucosamine per capsule, 180 veg capsules per bottle and a short ingredient list.
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Some joint supplements read like a grocery list. Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, turmeric, collagen, three herbs and a mineral, all in amounts you can't quite place. Sometimes that's what you want. Other times you'd rather know exactly what you're trying.
NOW Glucosamine 1000 is the second kind. It's glucosamine, and only glucosamine, at a full gram per capsule.
Why glucosamine
Glucosamine is a natural compound your body uses to build cartilage, the smooth, cushioning tissue at the ends of your bones. NOW explains it well on the label: glucosamine is a building block for glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, the main components of cartilage.
That's why it's been one of the most popular joint supplements for decades. People with creaky knees, runners who've logged a lot of miles, and folks who simply feel stiffer than they used to all reach for it.
NOW says it supports healthy joint function and cartilage formation. Nice and modest.
What's in the capsule
Each capsule holds 1 gram of glucosamine. The only other ingredients are a cellulose capsule, vegetable stearic acid and vegetable magnesium stearate. That's the full list.
The directions are two capsules daily, so you're getting 2 grams a day. That's a generous serving.
It's also free of a long list of common concerns. NOW lists it as non-GMO and free of corn, dairy, egg, nuts and soy. It's Halal certified too, which is less common than you'd think in this category.
A small detail I really like
Here's something most shoppers would never know. NOW Foods developed the glucosamine test method that was chosen as the official industry standard by AOAC International, a scientific body that sets lab methods. In other words, a lot of companies test their glucosamine the way NOW figured out how to do it.
That tells me the company takes this particular ingredient seriously. It also has an A-rated GMP certification from the Natural Products Association, which means its whole manufacturing process, lab work included, has been inspected.
NOW was founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard and is still family and employee owned. It's one of the largest independent makers of natural products in the country.
Value and everyday use
The bottle has 180 capsules and was listed at $20.33 when I checked. At two capsules a day, that's a 90 day supply, so around 23 cents a day. For a full gram per capsule from a brand with this kind of testing history, that's a very fair price.
Glucosamine is a patient supplement. Most people take it daily for at least six to eight weeks before deciding how they feel. Splitting the dose, one capsule with breakfast and one with dinner, is a comfortable way to do it, and taking it with food helps if your stomach is on the sensitive side.
The reviews reflect that steady approach. It holds 4.8 stars from nearly 550 Amazon shoppers, and many say they've been reordering it for years.
Pair it with movement
Supplements work best alongside the things that keep joints happy. Gentle strength work for the muscles around your knees and hips, walking, swimming or cycling, and keeping a healthy weight to ease the load. A capsule plus a daily walk is a lovely combination.
A few good habits
Glucosamine is often made from shellfish, so if you have a shellfish allergy, check the full label or contact NOW before buying. If you take warfarin, talk to your doctor first, since glucosamine may increase its effect. People with diabetes should keep an eye on their blood sugar when starting, and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should ask their provider.
Sudden joint swelling, redness or heat, or pain after an injury, is worth a doctor's visit rather than a supplement.
Keep it simple
If you want to give glucosamine a fair, uncomplicated try, this is about as clean as it gets. Two capsules a day, one ingredient, a company that helped set the testing standard. Take a look at NOW Glucosamine 1000 and see if your joints agree.
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