Why I Started MovingAfter50
In 2021, at 51, a family member was diagnosed with moderate osteoarthritis in the knee — something I hadn't expected to be navigating at this stage of life, having spent 22 years as a physical education teacher and prided myself on an active lifestyle.
Watching someone close to me go through it, I saw how little honest, independent guidance exists for adults choosing a joint supplement. Doctors are candid that there's no cure, only management: physiotherapy, weight management, and "try glucosamine if you want", with little said about which products are actually worth the money.
I saw the same pattern most people run into: shelves of products with the best marketing rather than the best evidence, proprietary blends that hide underdosing, and formulas that contradict the clinical research available on PubMed.
That gap is why I started MovingAfter50: a resource built entirely on published research, ingredient transparency and manufacturer disclosures, not on personal trial-and-error, and not on which brand pays the highest commission. This is the resource I wish had existed for my family back in 2021.
My Evaluation Methodology
Every product I review is assessed against a consistent set of criteria, based on published research rather than personal use. I don't accept payment for rankings, and I don't take free products in exchange for positive coverage.
Ingredient Transparency
Full disclosure of each ingredient and its exact dose, with no proprietary blends hiding underdosing.
Clinical Evidence
Each key ingredient checked against peer-reviewed studies, not manufacturer claims. PubMed is my primary source.
Manufacturing Standards
GMP-certified facilities only. I check for third-party testing certificates where available.
Value Assessment
Cost per effective dose, not the headline price. A cheaper bottle can be the worse buy when the dose is too low to do anything.
Guarantee Quality
Weighed against the 8–12 weeks these formulas need. A 60-day window closes before a fair trial finishes, so it costs a product points rather than disqualifying it, and I say so in the review.
Red Flags
Magic dosing language, fake before/afters, celebrity endorsements not corroborated by clinical data. Automatic disqualification.
My Journey — A Timeline
22 years as a PE teacher at a high school in Madison. Active lifestyle: hiking, cycling, community pickleball. Joint pain wasn't on my radar.
A close family member's knee osteoarthritis diagnosis prompted me to start researching joint supplements in depth, cross-referencing marketing claims against the clinical evidence.
Began systematically compiling ingredient research and manufacturer disclosures across the joint-health supplement category, building a structured evaluation framework.
30+ supplements analyzed and documented. Developed the 6-point scoring framework now used across all reviews on this site.
Launched MovingAfter50 to share findings with readers across Australia, the UK, Canada and the US.
What I Won't Do
I won't give a product 5 stars because it pays a high commission. I won't hide the cons because they might reduce clicks. And I won't recommend a product that the evidence doesn't support, regardless of commission.
Every review on this site includes a genuine "who it's not for" section, because the best supplement is the one that fits your specific situation, not the one with the most compelling marketing.
If you have questions about a specific product or want to share your own experience, reach out here. I read every message personally.
Start With My Free Checklist
The 7 things I evaluate before recommending any joint supplement — plus the 3 red flags that signal a product isn't worth your money.
Get the Free Checklist →