Joints
What the NHS, NICE, Arthritis UK and the British Dietetic Association say about the evidence on glucosamine, chondroitin, fish oil, turmeric and collagen.
The NHS says GPs no longer prescribe glucosamine or chondroitin for osteoarthritis because there is no strong evidence for them. The British Dietetic Association finds no good trial evidence for glucosamine, chondroitin or turmeric, and says more evidence is needed on fish oil. Arthritis UK, the arthritis charity formerly called Versus Arthritis, says there is not enough evidence on collagen, and no evidence that cod liver oil makes a difference to osteoarthritis. Vitamin D is the supplement UK bodies do advise: the NHS says everyone should consider it in autumn and winter, and the British Dietetic Association's osteoarthritis advice includes it when there is little sun.
NHS: Lists exercise and a healthy weight, pain medicines and supportive therapies as the main options for osteoarthritis symptoms.
Each line below is a short summary of what the named source says, with a link to read it in full. None of it is medical advice.
Advised
Vitamin D
A vitamin the body makes when skin is in sunlight. Oily fish, eggs and fortified foods have some; supplements come as D3 or D2.
- NHS: Everyone should consider 10 micrograms a day in autumn and winter.
- British Dietetic Association: Take 10 to 25 micrograms a day when not in the sun, including in winter.
Also covered by Arthritis UK.
Limited evidence
Turmeric (curcumin)
A spice from the underground stem of a plant in the ginger family. Curcumin, a major component, gives it its yellow colour.
- Arthritis UK: Not yet known whether it makes a difference in osteoarthritis; trial evidence is limited.
- NCCIH: For knee osteoarthritis, higher-quality evidence is needed before firm conclusions.
Also covered by British Dietetic Association.
Fish oil (omega-3)
Oil from oily fish such as sardines, salmon and mackerel, rich in omega-3 fats.
- British Dietetic Association: More evidence is needed to show clear effects of fish oil on osteoarthritis symptoms.
- British Dietetic Association: For the UK general population, the evidence on supplements is inconclusive.
Also covered by Arthritis UK (Fish oils; Diet and nutritional supplements).
Collagen
A protein found in cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments. Supplements are made from cow hides and bones, chicken cartilage or fish.
- Arthritis UK: Still not enough evidence on collagen for arthritis.
- Harvard Health Publishing: Research on collagen supplements is still early; large studies need to confirm any effects.
MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane, a sulphur compound found in fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.
- Arthritis UK: Only short-term trials so far; long-term side effects have not been studied.
No good evidence
Glucosamine
An amino sugar found in the body. Supplements are made from shellfish or in a laboratory, as sulphate or hydrochloride.
- NHS: No longer prescribed on the NHS, as there is no strong evidence for it.
Also covered by British Dietetic Association, Arthritis UK, NCCIH and NICE.
Chondroitin
A complex sugar found in cartilage. Supplements are made from the cartilage of cows, pigs and sharks.
- British Dietetic Association: No good trial evidence that it makes a difference to osteoarthritis symptoms.
Also covered by NHS, Arthritis UK, NCCIH and NICE.
Cod liver oil
Oil pressed from the cooked liver of cod, high in vitamins A and D as well as omega-3 fats.
- Arthritis UK: Widely taken for osteoarthritis, but there is no evidence it makes a difference to it.
- Arthritis UK: Not enough evidence for fish liver oil in osteoarthritis.
Things to check
- NHS: Check with your healthcare team before taking supplements, as they can sometimes interfere with your medicine.
- Arthritis UK: Glucosamine can raise blood sugar: with diabetes, discuss it with your doctor first. Shellfish-free forms exist for people with a shellfish allergy.
- Arthritis UK: If you take warfarin, glucosamine may affect your INR: keep up regular blood checks and discuss it with your doctor.
- Arthritis UK: If you take anticoagulants, take chondroitin only under a doctor's supervision; take care with asthma too.
- Arthritis UK: Anyone taking blood thinners such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban or aspirin should get medical advice before taking fish oil.
- Arthritis UK: Large doses of fish liver oil could mean too much vitamin A; for omega-3, choose pure fish oil instead.
- Arthritis UK: Turmeric can thin the blood: avoid it with anticoagulants or a bleeding disorder. It can also interact with medicines for diabetes, cancer and immune suppression.
- NCCIH: Liver damage has been reported with curcumin products made to absorb better; stop and see a doctor if you notice jaundice or dark urine.
- NHS: Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day.
If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, check with a pharmacist or GP first.
Sources
- Osteoarthritis - Treatment and supportExercise, weight, pain medicines, supportive therapies and surgery for osteoarthritis, and the NHS view on supplements.
- Osteoarthritis - Living withLiving with osteoarthritis, including checking supplements with your healthcare team.
- Vitamin DWho should consider a vitamin D supplement, how much, and the most to take in a day.
- Osteoarthritis: Scenario: ManagementNICE's summary for GPs on managing osteoarthritis, including the preparations not to recommend.
- Osteoarthritis and dietWeight, fats, vitamin D and dietary supplements for people with osteoarthritis.
- Omega-3Omega-3 fats, where they come from, fish advice and supplements.
- GlucosamineThe trial evidence on glucosamine for osteoarthritis, its side effects and who should take care.
- ChondroitinThe trial evidence on chondroitin for osteoarthritis, its side effects and who should take care.
- Fish oilsFish body oil and fish liver oil: the trial evidence for arthritis, doses and side effects.
- TurmericThe trial evidence on turmeric for osteoarthritis, its safety and interactions with medicines.
- CollagenTypes of collagen supplement, the research on arthritis so far, and safety.
- MSMThe trial evidence on MSM for osteoarthritis and what is known about its safety.
- Diet and nutritional supplementsDiet and supplements for arthritis, including fish oil, cod liver oil, vitamin D and glucosamine.
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis: What You Need To KnowA US review of the research on glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis, and their safety.
- TurmericA US summary of what is known about turmeric and curcumin, and their safety.
- Do collagen supplements fulfill their promises?A doctor's answer on what the research on collagen supplements does and does not show.
Sources checked 28 September 2026. Prices checked 20 October 2026, ranked purely by price per dose. Which sources these pages use.