Dog Joint Health Supplement: Science-Backed Support

Almost all dog owners, sooner or later, have to deal with their dogs’ mobility getting worse due to joint health issues. It’s very sad to see your dog having issues doing simple things like jumping in the car or on the sofa, doing the stairs, or even simply walking to the park.

And the older they get, the worse the joint situation becomes. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative condition for which there is no proper cure. However, it is possible to manage it, slow it down, and decrease its effect on dogs’ quality of life, and using evidence-backed nutraceuticals is one of the best ways to do it!

The Marleybones Joint Health Supplement is formulated to support joint comfort and mobility with a blend of evidence-based functional ingredients. 

This formula includes nine active ingredients, chosen based on the data published by veterinary researchers in the past 20 years. Several have canine trials, and others have strong data in people or animal models that map to the same joint pathways. Together they address cartilage turnover, inflammatory signals, oxidative stress, pain pathways and joint lubrication. In this article, we review why each ingredient is included and how it helps dogs stay active!

1. Glucosamine - Mobility Support
2. MSM - Stiffness Relief 
3. Phytodroitin - Cartilage Support
4. Green-Lipped Mussel - Pain Reduction
5. Turmeric - Anti-oxidant 
6. Hyaluronic Acid - Joint Comfort and Flexibility Aid
7. Rosehip - Anti-inflammatory
8. Celery Seed - Swelling Reduction Aid
9. Ginger + Black Pepper - Anti-inflammatory Boost

Active Ingredients, Mechanism of Action and Effect

1. Glucosamine - Mobility Support

• What it is: An amino sugar used to build joint cartilage.
• How it helps: Glucosamine supports the making of glycosaminoglycans, essential for the formation and repair of cartilage. By supporting cartilage turnover, it helps maintain joint structure, reduce wear from movement, and improve long-term mobility in dogs.

2. MSM - Stiffness Relief 

• What it is: An organic sulfur compound (MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane) that donates sulfur to tissues.
• How it helps: Sulfur is a key element for the synthesis of collagen, keratin and glycosaminoglycans that form cartilage, tendons and connective tissue in joints. It also has antioxidant activity, which can ease oxidative stress around inflamed joints. Together, these actions can help reduce stiffness and support recovery from activity!

3. Phytodroitin - Cartilage Support

• What it is: A plant-based complex from algae that mirrors chondroitin’s structure.
• How it helps: Phytodroitin is a plant-based alternative to chondroitin, designed to support cartilage by helping it retain water and resist compression. It is intended to help cartilage maintain it's elasticity and cushioning around joints to facilitate ease of movement.

4. Green-Lipped Mussel - Pain Reduction

• What it is: An extract from shellfish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, glycosaminoglycans, and other compounds that support joint health.
• How it helps: Green lipped mussels help reduce inflammation by blocking pro-inflammatory molecules, easing joint pain and swelling. Studies show that dogs given this nutraceutical can experience improved mobility and reduction in pain scores.

5. Turmeric - Anti-oxidant 

• What it is: A spice root extract rich in curcuminoids with strong antioxidant activity.
• How it helps: Curcumin helps neutralise free radicals, manifesting an antioxidant effect and protecting joint cells from oxidative damage. It also blocks molecules that cause inflammation in joints. This can help reduce swelling, stiffness and joint pain. 

6. Hyaluronic Acid - Joint Comfort and Flexibility Aid

• What it is: A natural molecule in joint fluid, it forms a thick gel that lubricates and cushions the joints.
• How it helps: Improving the viscosity of joint synovial fluid with hyaluronic acid can lead to better joint lubrification, reduced friction between bones and improved shock absorption. This allows to ease joint discomfort and improve flexibility.

7. Rosehip - Anti-inflammatory

• What it is: Powder from 'Rosa Canina' fruit rich in galactolipids and polyphenols.
• How it helps: The anti-inflammatory effect of the compounds contained in rosehip can help reduce pain in inflamed joints.

8. Celery Seed - Swelling Reduction Aid

• What it is: The small seed from the celery plant, rich in flavonoids like quercetin.
• How it helps: Celery seed can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in affected joints, ultimately reducing joint swelling.

9. Ginger + Black Pepper - Anti-inflammatory Boost

• What it is: Ginger root contains anti-inflammatory compounds like gingerols and shogaols, while black pepper is rich in piperine.
• How it helps: Ginger’s active molecules have an anti-inflammatory effect, and can help reduce joint pain. Piperine in black pepper increases substantially the absorption of ginger by the body, making its supplementation more effective.

Why The Formula Works Best In Combination

These nine ingredients are all effective individually, and when used together their synergy offers wide-ranging joint comfort and mobility benefits.

And when provided as a daily chew, it eliminates the hassle of disguising pills or powders in meals or snacks.

Key benefits include:

• Supporting cartilage structure with glucosamine and phytodroitin
• Helping easing pain and improving mobility with green-lipped mussel 
• Calming inflammatory pathways with turmeric and ginger
• Aiding joint lubrication with hyaluronic acid
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action with rosehip and celery seed

Improvements often appear after a few weeks, with easier movement and better comfort at rest being the first noticeable signs. Being consistent with the daily supplementation allows to help achieve and maintain the best results for the long term.