Joint Supplements vs Mobility Exercise
Supplements and exercise are not interchangeable. Movement has direct roles in strength, balance and function that a supplement cannot reproduce.
What movement can do
Appropriate exercise can support strength, range of motion, cardiovascular health and confidence with movement. NCCIH reports some evidence for physical approaches such as tai chi in knee osteoarthritis.
What supplements can and cannot promise
Some ingredients may have limited evidence for particular outcomes, but many supplement claims exceed what research establishes.
A combined approach
For many people, the sensible question is not “supplement or exercise?” but what safe movement plan and medical guidance fit their situation, and whether any supplement adds enough value to justify cost and risk.