"Betting" on Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM in advance of medical consensus, because research is slow and life is fast
The honest truth:  I don't know if this joint health combo is helping me or my husband to any great extent, either in the now or prophylactically.  Clinical proof of a supplement's benefit from one source can be contradicted by another study, or critically disparaged due to some flaw, bias, or oversight in the research that is claimed.  I don't have time to acquire the medical expertise, but have come to rely on a certain rough consensus of experts not directly connected to the supplement industry, using my hit-and-miss method of searching Web MD, online news, etc.  Through this method, I've recently eliminated Omega-3 supplements from our diet (while commensurately increasing natural sources where I can, just in case), and I guess I'm a bit on the fence with Glucosamine formulas.  My joints are feeling a little better these days, but I've also made a few other good choices in the area of diet or exercise - and got more supportive shoes! -- so there's no attributing that improved joint comfort to one thing or another with any real certainty.  (Nor would I want to delay other positive changes in my health regimen for the purpose of &#34;isolating&#34; results.)<br /><br />Oh, and It also bears mentioning that the studies most often cited for glucosamine indicate that the effectiveness is more pronouncedly noticeable where joint pain suffered is greater in the first place.  Not that I equate short-term pain relief with long-term benefit, but as someone thankfully more creaky than actually sidelined by pain, I'm not anticipating dramatic results.<br /><br />I like and trust Viva labs for the coconut and other gluten/dairy-free flours, etc. from its grocery line, so am happy to try out this product.  It's an easy to swallow vegetable capsule that surrounds the Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM, and being particularly intrigued by the claimed benefits to cartilage, tendons and ligaments of MSM - yeah, I've had a few problems there in recent years - this is a formulation that I'm very happy to try for awhile, particularly at the price.<br /><br />The capsule itself is claimed Halal but those following a Kosher diet should be advise that the Glucosamine is derived from shrimp shells.  Not relevant to me specifically, but I appreciate that Viva is meticulous about spelling these things out.<br /><br />Viva Labs provided me with a complimentary bottle of this product for evaluation.
Rating: 4 stars