By selecting "Accept all", you give us permission to use the following services on our website: Strictly necessary cookies, YouTube, Vimeo, ReCaptcha, Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Tag Manager, Brevo, Meta Pixel, PayPal Express Checkout und Ratenzahlung. You can change the settings at any time (fingerprint icon in the bottom left corner). For further details, please see Individual configuration and our Privacy notice.
The settings you specify here are stored in the "local storage" of your device. The settings will be remembered for the next time you visit our online shop. You can change these settings at any time (fingerprint icon in the bottom left corner).
For more information on cookie lifetime and required essential cookies, please see the Privacy notice.
To view YouTube contents on this website,
you need to consent to the transfer of data and storage of third-party cookies by
YouTube (Google).
This allows us to improve your user experience and to make our
website better and more interesting.
Without your consent, no data will be transferred to YouTube.
However, you will also not be able to use the YouTube services on this website.
To view Vimeo contents on this website, you need to consent to the
transfer of data and storage of third-party cookies by Vimeo..
This allows us to improve your user
experience and to make our website better and more interesting.
Without your consent, no data will
be transferred to Vimeo. However, you will also not be able to use the Vimdeo services on this website.
To submit forms on this page, you need to consent to the transfer of data and storage of third-party cookies by Google.
With your consent, reCAPTCHA, a Google service to avoid spam messages via contact forms, will be embedded.
This service allows us to provide our customers with a safe way to contact us via online forms. At the same time, the service prevents spam bots from compromising our services.
After you gave your permission, you might be asked to answer a security prompt to send the form.
If you do not consent, unfortunately you cannot use the form. Please contact us in a different way.
This is a web analysis service. It allows the user to measure advertising return on investment (ROI) and track user behavior. Data collected: anonymized IP address, date and time of visit, usage data, click path, app updates, browser information, device information, JavaScript support, pages visited, referrer URL, location information, purchase activity, widget interactions.
This is an advertising service. This service can be used to display personalized or non-personalized advertising to users. With Google Ads Conversion Tracking, we can measure our advertising success in the Google advertising network. We place advertisements in the Google advertising network so that our offers can be found more easily. We try to optimize our advertising as much as possible. Also to keep advertising costs as low as possible. This is reflected in our prices.
This is a tag management system. The Google Tag Manager allows tags to be integrated centrally via a user interface. Tags are small sections of code that can track activities. Script codes from other tools are integrated via the Google Tag Manager. The Tag Manager makes it possible to control when a specific tag is triggered.
To send data to Brevo, you need to consent to the transfer of data and storage of third-party cookies by Brevo. This allows us to improve your user experience and to make our website better and more interesting.
To send data to Meta, you need to consent to the transfer of data and storage of third-party cookies by Meta.. This allows us to improve your user experience and to make our website better and more interesting.
In order to unlock offers for extended payment options, in particular express checkout and payment in instalments, we require your consent to the data transfer and storage of third-party cookies of the payment provider PayPal. This allows us to also offer you express checkout and payment by instalments. Without your consent, only the technically necessary data transfer to PayPal will take place, but you will then not be able to use the express checkout or extended offers for payment by instalments on this site.
Description:
Using express checkout and Displaying offers for payment in instalments for individual items or your entire purchase.
Would you like to see these contents? Activate the desired contents for one session only or allow the website to remember these settings. Once you have given your consent, the third-party data can be loaded. For this, third-party cookies might be stored on your device. You can change these settings at any time (fingerprint icon in the bottom left corner). For further details, please see the Privacy notice.
Products for bones, joints and muscles: joint complexes with glucosamine and chondroitin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, MSM, frankincense, plus calcium, vitamin D and magnesium. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage. Read the guide below to see what each one is for. Read the guide ↓
Every step, every stair, every time you bend down: bones, joints and muscles work together all day long.
Your bones provide support, cartilage absorbs the impact, tendons and ligaments hold everything together and your muscles move and relieve the joints. When you walk normally, your knee carries around three times your body weight, and even more on the stairs.
Here you can find out which nutrients have an EU-authorised claim for bones, cartilage and muscles, what lies behind glucosamine, collagen, MSM and frankincense, and how the joint complexes in our range differ.
Symbolic image: AI-generated
How bones, joints and muscles work together
Cartilage, tendons and ligaments are largely made of collagen, the most abundant protein in the body. Bones are not a rigid frame but are remodelled throughout life. And your muscles guide every joint and take load off it. The graphic shows which nutrients are needed where.
206
bones in an adult body
0
blood vessels in joint cartilage
3 times
your body weight on the knee when walking
1,000 mg
calcium recommended a day
Good to know: Cartilage has no blood vessels of its own. It works like a sponge: when you step down, fluid is squeezed out, and when the load eases, it soaks up fresh joint fluid with nutrients. Every step nourishes your cartilage.
How the sponge principle works, what collagen, glucosamine and MSM really can do and how to build movement into any day is explained in detail in our blog guide Joints, cartilage, movement.
Eight nutrients with an EU-authorised claim
The quotations are the official EU claims word for word. Below each one you will find how much is recommended a day and which foods contain it.
Vitamin C
“Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.”
Recommended a day: 95 mg (women), 110 mg (men)
Found in: peppers, kiwi, broccoli, sauerkraut
Manganese
“Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.”
Recommended a day: 2 to 5 mg (estimated value)
Found in: oats, wholegrains, nuts, tea
Copper
“Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues.”
Recommended a day: 1 to 1.5 mg (estimated value)
Found in: nuts, cocoa, pulses, wholegrains
Protein
“Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.”
Recommended a day: 0.8 g per kg of body weight, from 65 years 1 g
Found in: pulses, dairy, eggs, fish
Calcium
“Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones.”
Recommended a day: 1,000 mg
Found in: dairy, cheese, kale, calcium-rich mineral water
Vitamin D
“Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.”
Recommended a day: 20 µg when your skin cannot make its own
Found in: oily fish, egg yolk, mushrooms
Vitamin K
“Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.”
Recommended a day: 60 to 80 µg (estimated value)
Found in: green leafy vegetables, cabbage, sauerkraut, cheese
Magnesium
“Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function.”
Recommended a day: 300 mg (women), 350 mg (men)
Found in: pumpkin seeds, oats, pulses, nuts
Vitamin C also contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones, and manganese, magnesium and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. You will find all products for the individual nutrients in our categories Vitamin C, Calcium, Vitamin D and Magnesium.
Glucosamine, collagen, MSM and frankincense: what lies behind them
Most joint products are built on substances you will not find above. They are natural building blocks of cartilage and connective tissue or have a long tradition, and many people have taken them for years out of conviction. There is no EU-authorised joint claim for any of them. Here you can read what they are.
Glucosamine and chondroitin
amino sugar and polysaccharide
Both occur naturally in cartilage. Glucosamine is usually obtained from crustacean shells, but there are also vegan versions made by fermentation. Chondroitin mostly comes from cattle.
Collagen
structural protein, types I, II and III
The most abundant protein in the body. As a hydrolysate it is split into short pieces and dissolves easily in drinks. Collagen counts as protein, so the protein claims apply to collagen powders with enough protein.
Hyaluronic acid
glycosaminoglycan
It makes the joint fluid viscous and can bind a lot of water. In supplements it is mostly produced by fermentation.
MSM
methylsulfonylmethane
An organic sulphur compound that also occurs in small amounts in food. It is available on its own or as part of many joint complexes.
Green-lipped mussel
Perna canaliculus
A mussel from New Zealand that naturally contains glycosaminoglycans. As a powder it comes in capsules, and for external use also in balms. Important: it counts as a mollusc.
Frankincense
Boswellia serrata
The resin of the frankincense tree has a firm place in Indian tradition. Extracts are often standardised to their boswellic acid content, Optiolex Frankincense for example to 65 %.
Our view: These substances are the main ingredients of many joint products, which is why you find them here. We do not make any promises about them. If you value what is proven, make sure vitamin C is included, in the product or alongside it.
Joint complexes compared: which supplement suits you?
These four supplements combine several joint building blocks in one capsule. The boxes show at a glance how much glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamin C and manganese a daily dose provides.
Glucosamine as stated by the manufacturer: Optiolex as pure glucosamine (from 705.9 mg glucosamine sulphate), Cosmoterra and Arthrobene as glucosamine sulphate, Robert Franz as glucosamine HCl. Chondroitin for Optiolex as pure chondroitin (from 607.5 mg chondroitin sulphate).
Our tip for Optiolex Joints
Optiolex Joints contains the four building blocks but no vitamins. If you would like to add vitamin C, combine it with one capsule of Optiolex Vitamin C a day. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
Prefer something targeted? Single building blocks
If you know which building block you are looking for, a single supplement is the clearer choice. You will find more versions of MSM, hyaluronic acid and frankincense in the product list above.
“Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.” With 90 % protein, Vital Collagen provides enough for this. There are no authorised claims for hyaluronic acid, glucosamine or frankincense.
For bones and muscles
For bones, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K count, for muscles above all magnesium. These four supplements cover this in different ways, from a magnesium complex to a mineral powder.
Fact: Cartilage is nourished by the change between pressure and release. Sitting for hours interrupts this cycle. Even movement such as walking, cycling or swimming suits every age.
Myth 2
“When your knees crack, your joints are wearing out.”
Fact: The typical crack when you stand up is usually a gas bubble in the joint fluid bursting. On its own it is no cause for concern.
Myth 3
“Collagen from a tub goes straight into your cartilage.”
Fact: Collagen is digested like any other protein. Your body makes its own collagen, and for that it needs vitamin C. That is why vitamin C on the same day is a good companion.
Good to know when taking supplements
✓
Check for allergens
Glucosamine often comes from crustaceans, while green-lipped mussel and oyster count as molluscs. Both are among the allergens that must be labelled. The full ingredients are listed on every product page.
✓
Check medication first
If you take medication for blood clotting or blood sugar, check glucosamine, frankincense and vitamin K beforehand. Glucosamine supplements are not intended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children or adolescents.
✓
Add up instead of doubling up
Vitamin D, calcium and magnesium are often found in several supplements. EFSA sets the tolerable upper intake level at 100 µg vitamin D a day from all sources and 250 mg magnesium from supplements. Add everything up before you combine.
✓
Link it to fixed times
You take most joint complexes three times a day with meals, and you stir collagen powder into your morning coffee. If you keep the tub next to your breakfast plate, you are less likely to forget it.
Which nutrients are authorised for cartilage and joints?+
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage. Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue, and copper to the maintenance of normal connective tissues. There are no authorised claims for glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, MSM or hyaluronic acid.
What is the difference between glucosamine sulphate and glucosamine HCl?+
They are two salt forms of the same substance. Manufacturers state the amount differently, some as the salt and some as pure glucosamine. Paracel, for example, lists 1,200 mg glucosamine hydrochloride, which equals 997 mg glucosamine.
Are there vegan joint supplements?+
Yes. Espara Glucosamine Vegan and the chondroitin, MSM and glucosamine supplement from Dr. Ehrenberger are labelled vegan, as are Cosphera Vegan Collagen Formation and anatis Pro Collagen vegan. The details are on every product page.
Can I stir collagen powder into hot coffee?+
According to the manufacturer, Vital Collagen Hydrolysate dissolves in hot and cold drinks. For products with vitamin C or plant extracts, some manufacturers recommend cold drinks, anatis Pro Collagen for example. The instructions are on the product page.
How much vitamin D is recommended a day?+
The nutrition societies of Germany, Austria and Switzerland state 20 µg a day for adults when the skin cannot make its own, which is mainly in winter. EFSA sets the tolerable upper intake level from all sources at 100 µg.
Can I get advice before I buy?+
Yes, we are happy to help whenever you need us. Write to office@viterna.at or use our contact form.
In short
Bones, joints and muscles are a team, and movement is what keeps them together. If you want to supplement, you will find the classic joint building blocks and supplements with proven nutrients here.
KEY POINTS
Cartilage has no blood vessels, every step nourishes it.
Authorised for cartilage and connective tissue: vitamin C, manganese, copper.
For bones and muscles: calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, protein.
Check allergens and add up the amounts.
Note: Health claims refer exclusively to the nutrients named and comply with Regulation (EU) No 432/2012. There are no authorised health claims for glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, MSM, hyaluronic acid, green-lipped mussel or frankincense. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. Keep out of the reach of young children.
