When it comes to joint health, many people want a quick fix for their issues. However, while supplements can be extremely effective at reducing your pain and stiffness, it’s easy to forget about the basics.
Sleep, exercise, and diet are the foundations that you need to have covered if you want to have healthy joints in the long run. If we’re eating highly inflammatory foods, then it can be difficult even for the most effective joint supplements to work for us.
- That said, if you already have your basics covered, then adding a supplement such as Cosamin DS or Kirkland Glucosamine can provide you that additional support.
Below, we will be giving you a summary of both products to see which one is the right for you, followed by a more detailed comparison for those who want to know more.
Cosamin DS vs Kirkland Glucosamine TL; DR Summary:
Cosamin DS and Kirkland Glucosamine are both 100% natural products with simple ingredient formulas. They both contain glucosamine as the key ingredient. Alongside glucosamine, Cosamin DS contains Chondroitin Sulfate as the active ingredient, whereas Kirkland Contains MSM.
So, which one is better? For us, it’s Kirkland Glucosamine, mainly because it costs significantly less while giving you similar benefits as Cosamin DS – a slight improvement in joint function, that is.
Still, if you’re looking for the best, neither of them makes the cut, as both products are missing some important ingredients like curcumin, which means they’re not as effective for joint pain and long-term cartilage protection as some other options on the market.
What do we recommend?
– Click to See The Current 3 Best-Reviewed Joint Supplements-
Cosamin DS vs Kirkland Glucosamine: Product Overview
Cosamin DS is a dietary supplement produced in the USA. It has been on the market for over 20 years now, and it offers high-quality form of glucosamine, an ingredient that is well-studied for its joint benefits.
Taking the recommended 1-3 caplets of Cosamin DS per day is said to help you:
- Protect from joint tissue breakdown
- Improve comfort
Then we have Kirkland Glucosamine. It too is a highly popular joint supplement in the U.S., not least because of its affordable price ($19.99 for 375 tablets at Costco).
But is the quality of Kirkland Glucosamine the same as in Cosamin? How do these two supplements compare against other products on the market in terms of effectiveness & safety?
See for yourself.
Cosamin DS vs Kirkland Glucosamine: Comparing the Ingredients
Cosamin DS and Kirkland Glucosamine have similar ingredient profiles. Both products contain only two ingredients. Both also contain Glucosamine.
The only major difference is that alongside glucosamine, Cosamin DS contains Chondroitin Sulfate, whereas Kirkland Glucosamine contains MSM.
Let’s take a closer look.
Cosamin DS’ Formula
Cosamin DS contains the two most basic, and most popular joint health ingredients out there – glucosamine and chondroitin.
Both of these compounds are found in high amounts in your cartilage and connective tissues. Supplementation has been shown in studies to promote long-term joint function, healing, and comfort. That said, glucosamine and chondroitin alone can’t do much when it comes to reducing inflammation and joint pain specifically.
For that, Cosamin DS is missing quite a few important ingredients – including curcumin, selenium, bromelain, and ginger to name a few.
The little vitamin C and manganese that is in Cosamin DS doesn’t do much, these are more filler ingredients than anything else.
So, while you may notice a slight improvement in your joint function with the supplementation of Cosamin DS, the benefits are subtle and more focused on supporting your joint health long-term, rather than giving you quick relief. Ideally, the best joint supplements will do both. That’s why we don’t quite rate Cosamin DS’ formula as one of the best we’ve seen on the market.
But how does it compare to Kirkland’s?
Kirkland Glucosamine’s Formula
Kirkland Glucosamine contains the same amount of glucosamine as Cosamin DS; so in that regard, they’re going to give you similar benefits.
But instead of using chondroitin as the other ingredient, Kirkland Glucosamine instead uses MSM (methylsulfonylmethane).
So, the question then boils down to which is better: MSM or chondroitin?
The answer is that both have their pros and cons. MSM is a compound studies for its effects on rheumatoid arthritis. One of the ways it works is by reducing perceived pain in your joints.
Chondroitin, meanwhile, is a substance naturally occurring in your joints. It is used for helping to control osteoarthritis and protecting joint tissue from breakdown as you age.
Ideally, you will want a supplement that contains both Chondroitin and MSM. This way, you’re getting the more potent pain relief that MSM provides, along with the protective effects of Chondroitin.
Cosamin DS vs Kirkland Glucosamine: Safety Analysis
Cosamin DS and Kirkland Glucosamine have been on the supplement market for years now, and they aren’t known to cause any major side effects in most people. In rare cases, you may experience nausea or stomach irritation, which can be countered by taking these products with food instead of on an empty stomach.
Cosamin DS vs Kirkland Glucosamine: User Reviews
Cosamin DS and Kirkland Glucosamine both have hundreds of reviews online, with many people happy with the value for money they are getting. However, there are also some users who aren’t too happy with the results they experienced from these supplements.
While “other people’s” testimonials are good to give you a general idea about the product, it’s always best to do your own research into the ingredients to really know how the product will work for you.
Cosamin DS vs Kirkland Glucosamine: Pricing & Value
Cosamin DS will set you back by $47.99 per bottle (36 servings) at Walgreens.
Kirkland Glucosamine, on the other hand, is significantly cheaper at $19.99 per bottle (at Costco). However, note that the price can vary depending on where you buy it.
While Cosamin DS uses higher-quality ingredients, we still think it is not the better value due to its high price, and due to the fact that it only contains 2 ingredients. At this price range, there are far more comprehensive and more effective joint health supplements available, without question.
The Bottom Line
That rounds up our comparison between Cosamin DS and Kirkland Glucosamine. Which one should you go for?
While both have some major drawbacks, Kirkland Glucosamine is the winner since it costs significantly less while offering similar value to Cosamin DS.
No matter which one you choose, though, you should notice a slight improvement in your joint function if you’re consistent.
With that being said, just two ingredients in the formula are not enough to provide full-spectrum joint support. If you’re looking to substantially reduce your joint pain while also protecting your connective tissue from everyday wear and tear, you can find higher-quality joint supplements today with a little research.
Looking for alternatives?
– Click to See The Current 3 Best-Reviewed Joint Supplements-
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