Healthspan's glucosamine supplements are made using a process that ensures they contain the maximum amount of glucosamine possible under current regulations, while being kinder to the environment than other glucosamine products.
Healthspan's strongest glucosamine supplements contain the maximum amount of glucosamine allowed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as of a March 2019 regulation change. Anything stronger, and our supplements would be classed as a medicine for 'mild to moderate osteo-arthritis of the knee' instead of as a supplement.
The fact that glucosamine of a certain strength is classed as a medicine is great news, as it reinforces the effectiveness of the product. However, it's not always easy for consumers to tell which glucosamine supplements actually contain the largest amount of glucosamine, due to differences in the way glucosamine supplements are made.
Glucosamine HCl vs 2KCl
In supplements, glucosamine is bound to a salt. The type of salt determines the ratio of glucosamine to salt in the tablet, with most supplements being either hydrochloride (HCl) or sulphate 2KCl.
Healthspan's strongest glucosamine supplement, Glucosamine HCl 1,325, contains 1,100mg of base glucosamine, or 83% of the total. By contrast, a 1,500mg glucosamine 2KCl product, despite having a higher number on the box, will have far less pure glucosamine in each tablet. Healthspan's own 2KCl 1,500mg product, for example, provides 888mg base glucosamine – around 60% of the total.
This means that glucosamine HCl contains 23% more glucosamine per tablet and 40% more glucosamine per gram than 2KCl.
Optiflex® Glucosamine HCl 1,325mg
Our strongest glucosamine
- Our strongest glucosamine tablet: 1,325mg per tablet
- 40% more glucosamine per gram than glucosamine sulphate
- Using Glucosagreen®, a sustainable plant source free from shellfish
Quality and sustainability
Optiflex Glucosamine HCl is made with only the best, most sustainable ingredients on the market. Unlike other glucosamine products, which are made from shellfish, this product is derived from an easily accessible vegetable source: non-GMO corn. This makes it safe for vegans and anyone with a shellfish allergy, who previously wouldn't have been able to experience the benefits of glucosamine.
What's more, using non-GMO corn as a base for glucosamine significantly reduces the environmental impact. Shellfish-based glucosamine requires a large amount of chemicals and clean drinking water to make it, thereby generating vast amounts of wastewater.
Corn-based glucosamine produces around 2% of the waste of the shellfish-derived version, so not only are you getting the best-quality glucosamine available, but you're minimising the environmental damage caused by the process. Read more about our corn-based glucosamine.
How do you know you can trust Healthspan products?
It all comes down to provenance, sustainability and quality. Healthspan works closely with its suppliers around the world to find the best-quality ingredients for its products. Rigorous quality assurance programs, extensive testing and continuous product improvements help make products worthy of our customers. Click here for more information.