TRUE or FALSE – can dietary supplementation improve mobility for companion animals?
An article published in the February 2025 Vet Practice Magazine - Original article can be located hereThe answer is… it can. Although it depends on some key factors. For those who disagree or have reservations with this, I do not blame you. Mixed results scientifically (and anecdotally) have cast doubt on the value of nutritional supplementation for joint support. However, once you take a deeper look and review the trial data, you will notice some obvious reasons as to why some supplements work and others do not.
Did you know?
There are many subtle yet critical differences between ingredients and finished products that affect its bioavailability, activity and efficacy. A matrix of factors can affect whether a product will provide a benefit and be one that veterinary professionals can reliably recommend.
#1 – Origination: Certain countries use chemicals, processes or treatments that are prohibited or heavily restricted in Australia. They may not be toxic, although they may affect the product’s bioavailability.
Another consideration in origination is plant versus animal, or terrestrial versus marine. There are functional and ethical considerations that must be evaluated by manufacturers and consumers. What value do you place on sourcing chondroitin from sharks versus bovine? What about terrestrial versus marine omega-3’s? Not all omega-3’s are equal. So, whilst a product label says it’s a source of omega-3’s, it may contain limited omega-3’s that are functional for the desired purpose.
#2 – Manufacturing processes & treatments: The way an ingredient is processed has a significant impact on the quantity and quality of the ingredient and the finished product. Regretfully, the concentration of an active ingredient reported on a label may be vastly different from the amount that is biologically active and available for digestion and absorption.
#3 – Molecular form: The chemical structure of a molecule is critical to its functionality, bioavailability and efficacy. For example, upon macroanalysis of available peer-reviewed data on glucosamine sulfate vs glucosamine HCl, whilst the HCl form is higher in glucosamine concentration, the sulfate form is the type found in joints and more often found to provide better results in managing joint pain and supporting cartilage repair*.
#4 – Concentration of active ingredients: Just because an ingredient is listed on the label, is it at a concentration or in a form that will provide a functional benefit?
Recent advances in improving joint health
Whilst the functional forms of glucosamine, chondroitin and green-lipped mussels have been found to improve joint health & recovery, there are new tools with proven effects on pain management and mobility. Collagen type-II is the primary building block of cartilage tissue and works through an immune modulation mechanism that reduces inflammatory responses and cartilage degradation*. Hyaluronic acid enhances the quality and quantity of synovial fluid, the essential lubricant for joint function. Peer-reviewed studies have shown an improvement biomarkers of osteoarthritis, increased synovial fluid concentration, and reduced pain-associated enzymes*.
Combining these five elements has been shown to provide a synergistic and cumulative benefit in the achievement of joint pain management, protection and recovery from injury.
While traditional approaches like NSAIDs and surgical options remain vital, supplementation with joint health-promoting products should form part of a prevention, treatment and management plan for vets and pet owners, as long as the right product is used.
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