As part of a healthy routine, supplements can help make sure your joints get the nutrients they need for proper mobility and flexibility. Unfortunately, some supplement labels misrepresent what’s inside. It is, therefore, important to understand your joint health supplement label to make sure you are getting optimal support. 

Important Information to Look For

You have made the decision to add some essential support to your joint health routine. But how can you be sure which supplement to pick? It is important to have the right information, not only for making good purchasing decisions but also to ensure you use your supplement effectively and safely. Your joint health supplement’s label is where you will find all the information you need. 

Suggested use: Labels must contain information about suggested use or servings because they are regulated as food. It is important to take only the recommended amount, or as advised by your physician, for effective and safe results.

Cautions or warnings: Any cautions regarding ingredients need to be clearly stated. These warnings indicate if you need to avoid or take precautions when taking certain products, as some ingredients may have interactions with medications or may need to be avoided with certain medical conditions. 

Storage: To preserve the quality and potency of the supplement, it is essential that storage information be provided. Knowing how to properly store the supplement helps you maintain its effectiveness and freshness for optimal health results. 

1MD Nutrition’s MoveMD^® features each of these on the box and right side of the bottle label.

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, adults take one (1) capsule once (1x) daily or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner.

WARNING: Consult a healthcare practitioner if you are pregnant or nursing, have a serious medical condition or use any medications.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. DO NOT USE IF SAFETY SEAL IS DAMAGED OR MISSING. STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE. COLOR MAY VARY.

Expiration date: The expiration date must also be provided on every supplement label. This is your assurance that your supplement will contain the claimed potency until the date provided. It also serves as a warning to not use the supplement after the given date has passed. 

Dietary seals: Supplements may display this information differently, but the dietary seals are important for anyone with dietary restrictions, and a high-quality product will have these listed clearly. 

Quality standards: The GMP logo on your label is a good sign. It means that the supplement was manufactured according to the current FDA good manufacturing practices (cGMPs). 

Manufacturer information: A quality supplement will provide the manufacturer's information, including phone number, email, and website, so you can reach out to them with any questions or concerns about their product. 

FDA compliance: By including a statement like the one below, the manufacturer provides assurance that they are compliant with FDA regulations. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

Failure to include this statement would be a red flag that the company is not following basic regulations to ensure their product is safe and effective.

Joint Health Supplements

Now that you have all the important general information, you can take a deeper dive into the supplement. What ingredients are included, and what can this supplement do for you? 

When it comes to choosing a high-quality joint health supplement, the key features you want to focus on include functional description, health category, function claims, and ingredients.

The functional description is a summary of the benefits and ingredients your supplement contains. This description can be short or more detailed, and for MoveMD^®, is located on the box. 

MoveMD^® is a broad-spectrum joint health formula with clinically-studied Zanthin^® Natural Astaxanthin and AprèsFlex^® Boswellia serrata extract, and  types X, I, and V eggshell membrane and type II chicken collagen to support joint flexibility, mobility, and comfort.* 

On the front of the packaging, you should also look for the health function category and highlighted function claims. These will be listed clearly, often in bold, so you can easily identify how this supplement will benefit your health, at a glance.  

When looking at MoveMD^®, you see right away the main health attribute and the key health benefits on both the box and bottle label. 

COMPREHENSIVE JOINT SUPPORT*
Promotes Joint Mobility & Flexibility*
Supports Joint Comfort*
Aids Proper Joint Function*

After identifying the benefits, one of the most important components to look at is the ingredients. Every supplement should include a supplement facts table that includes every ingredient with its amount per serving and the %DV (the percentage of the daily recommended value, this amount of a given ingredient is). 

If you do not see a number listed in the percentage daily value column, don’t panic. This does not mean you should not be consuming that ingredient. It is normal for supplements to be missing this information and simply means that the FDA has not made an official recommendation for how much of this nutrient you should have.

♦ AprèsFlex^® Boswellia serrata extract is a patented and bio-enhanced form of boswellic acid clinically shown to support joint health and function for those suffering from occasional joint distress. A daily dose of 100 milligrams is considered safe.  

♦ Zanthin^® Natural Astaxanthin is considered safe when taken as recommended and helps to reduce typical oxidative stress to promote joint comfort and mobility. 

♦ Advanced Collagens, consisting of type X.I.V. Eggshell Membrane Collagen and Type II Chicken Collagen, help promote a normal range of motion and address common connective tissue ailments.

♦ Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced in the body, so it is safe when taken as recommended. It is an important component of synovial fluid, which is a lubricating agent in your joints that promotes smooth movement. 

Krill Oil Supplements

Many people also look for krill oil supplements to support joint health. When searching for a krill oil supplement, there are a few important things to look for on the label.

♦ Omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA are potent omega-3 fatty acids that help support joint health. These beneficial compounds help to reduce typical oxidative stress to promote optimal joint flexibility and mobility.

♦ Phospholipids: One of the most significant differences between fish oil and krill oil is phospholipids. Phospholipids, only found in krill oil, are attached to the omega-3s to promote efficient absorption for optimal joint health support.

♦ Sustainability: Krill are highly sought after for supplemental use, so look for a product that helps protect krill at the source. This information should be clearly displayed on the label, like 1MD Nutrition’s KrillMD™, which uses sustainable Antarctic krill to support healthier oceans. 

Curcumin Supplements

Curcumin (or turmeric) supplements are also commonly taken to promote joint health. If you are looking for a curcumin supplement, the most important features to keep in mind include:

♦ Bioavailability: Curcumin is not easily absorbed, so to get optimal benefits from your supplement, choose one that includes ingredients or mechanisms that will enhance bioavailability. CurcuminMD^® Plus uses Longvida^® Turmeric Curcumin, which uses a patented lipid technology to enhance its bioavailability by 285 times‡, delivering free curcumin to targeted problem areas. (‡Measured using AUC normalized)

♦ Other ingredients: Other than piperine, which is commonly added to help promote absorption of curcumin, the only other ingredients you want in your supplement are those that complement the effects of curcumin. For example, the standardized 65% Boswellia serrata extract in CurcuminMD^® Plus works alongside curcumin to help reduce everyday joint discomfort. 

No matter which joint health supplement you are purchasing, make sure you choose one that does not contain any unnecessary fillers or additives. You can find these additions in the ‘other ingredients’ section of your label. Some ingredients may be used to bind components of the supplement together or make up the capsule, like vegetable cellulose or silica. 

Other ingredients are unnecessary and should be avoided, including these common additives: 

♦ Artificial colors
♦ Magnesium stearate
♦ Artificial sweeteners
♦ Preservatives such as sodium benzoate

Final Thoughts

As a board-certified rheumatologist, I have a strong appreciation for the benefits that naturally-sourced supplements have for joint health. But, you want a supplement you can trust. 1MD Nutrition^® understands the role that labels play in helping you make your choice, so we make the choice easy. It’s as easy as looking at your 1MD Nutrition^® joint health supplement labels — all the information you need, and all the ingredients your joints want!

Dr. Adam Kreitenberg

Dr. Adam Kreitenberg is dual board-certified in both rheumatology and internal medicine. He completed his internal medicine internship, residency, and rheumatology fellowship at the University of Southern California and Los Angeles County Medical Center.