Glucosamine & chondroitin sulphate
Commodity glucosamine and chondroitin supplements generally dominate the joint health marketplace, though according to Euromonitor International the glucosamine market has flagged in recent years – with a global value of $1.823 billion (€1.33 billion) in 2013, down from its $1.895 (€1.38 billion) value back in 2009.
Some have suggested that glucosamine’s coupling with chondroitin sulfate – extracted from animal cartilage – has been detrimental. Chondroitin sulphate player Synutra pledged to clean up the ingredient's reputation by raising awareness of simple adulteration tests - something it says it does already.
A few months ago glucosamine won a key legal case in the UK High Court that enabled the nutrient to retain its right to be sold as a food supplement, after a Chinese pharma firm sought to reclassify the commodity exclusively as a drug.