Schiff: what the evidence says about Move Free, calcium and Tiger's Milk

Schiff sells joint supplements under the Move Free name, calcium tablets and the Tiger's Milk bar, and we found no trial of any of these products themselves. The evidence sits under the ingredients. For osteoarthritis of the hand, hip or knee, a meta-analysis of 69 placebo-controlled trials of 20 supplements found glucosamine and chondroitin either ineffective or giving small pain effects that the authors call arguably clinically unimportant, with evidence quality ranging from very low to high. In 7 randomized trials with 393 people who had osteoarthritis of the jaw joint, glucosamine probably did not cut pain by a clinically important amount at 6 months, a 7 mm difference on the pain scale (95% CI 2.09 to 11.95), despite reaching statistical significance. The EU register lists the claim that the hyaluronic acid in Schiff Move Free helps lubricate and support joints as non-authorized. It also refused the joint claims it holds for glucosamine and chondroitin, and none of the 16 glucosamine claims in the register is authorized. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been linked to more bleeding in people taking warfarin, and calcium has an upper limit of 2,000 to 2,500 mg a day for adults, food and supplements together.

How much is actually in it

• Per 100 g, the Schiff Tiger's Milk bar in USDA data holds 387 calories, 16.8 g protein, 36.4 g sugars, 429 mg calcium, 10.3 mg iron and 336 mg magnesium, a fortified candy-bar profile. — USDA SR Legacy food SCHIFF,TIGER'S MILK BAR (FDC 167946, category Sweets) Evidence E source
  Per 100 g: energy 387 calories, protein 16.8 g, fat 14.29 g, saturated 2.073 g, carbohydrate 56.46 g, sugars 36.4 g, fiber 2.3 g, calcium 429 mg, iron 10.28 mg, magnesium 336 mg, phosphorus 560 mg, thiamin 1.47 mg, vitamin B6 1.68 mg, vitamin B12 4.2 ug, vitamin D 0

What a real portion looks like

• One 35 g Tiger's Milk bar works out to about 135 calories, 5.9 g protein, 12.7 g sugars and 150 mg calcium, roughly 12% of the 1,300 mg calcium Daily Value. — USDA SR Legacy portion 1 bar = 35 g, FDC 167946 Evidence E source
  Per 1.2 oz (35 g) bar: 135.5 calories, protein 5.9 g, sugars 12.7 g, fat 5.0 g, calcium 150 mg, iron 3.6 mg, magnesium 118 mg

What your body absorbs

• According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, calcium citrate depends less on stomach acid than calcium carbonate and can be taken without food, though calcium supplements in general are absorbed better when taken with food. — adults using calcium supplements Evidence E source
  Citrate less dependent on stomach acid and can be taken without food; absorption of calcium supplements greater with food
• In a meta-analysis of 4 randomized trials with 227 bariatric surgery patients, calcium citrate and calcium carbonate gave the same serum calcium and PTH over time, with citrate ahead only after a single dose. — 227 patients after bariatric surgery in 4 randomized trials (n = 227) Evidence A source
  Serum calcium WMD 0.03 mg/dl (95% CI -0.04 to 0.11); PTH WMD 0 pg/ml (-2.81 to 2.82); single dose PTH WMD -1.17 (-2.04 to -0.29) favoring citrate
• In 150 adults after gastric bypass or sleeve surgery, calcium citrate was absorbed slightly better than carbonate over 8 hours, with peak serum calcium 9.8 against 9.5 mg/dL. — 150 adults about 10 months after RYGB, sleeve gastrectomy or one-anastomosis gastric bypass, 8-hour crossover test (n = 150) Evidence B source
  AUC0-8h 76.1 vs 74.7 mg/dL h (P = .001); Cmax 9.8 vs 9.5 mg/dL (P < .001); urinary calcium 83.7 vs 68.6

What it does to your health

• Across 69 placebo-controlled trials of 20 osteoarthritis supplements, widely used glucosamine and chondroitin were either ineffective or showed small and arguably clinically unimportant effects. — patients with hand, hip or knee osteoarthritis in 69 randomized placebo-controlled trials (n = 69 trials) Evidence A source
  Glucosamine, chondroitin: statistically significant but clinically unclear pain effect; chondroitin structure ES -0.30 (-0.42 to -0.17); no long-term clinically important effect for any supplement
• In 7 randomized trials of jaw joint osteoarthritis, glucosamine did not cut pain by a clinically important amount, with a 7 mm difference on a 100 mm scale at 6 months. — 393 participants with temporomandibular disorders in 7 RCTs, 87% women (n = 393) Evidence A source
  Pain at 6 months MD -7.02 mm (95% CI -11.95 to -2.09), moderate certainty; at 3 months or less MD -1.58 mm (-5.98 to 2.83)

Safety, limits and interactions

• In a 71-year-old man on warfarin, INR rose from 2.3 to 3.9 after he tripled his glucosamine-chondroitin dose. The authors found 20 FDA and 21 WHO reports of raised INR or bleeding with glucosamine and warfarin. — warfarin-treated patients also taking glucosamine or glucosamine-chondroitin (n = 1 case report plus 20 FDA MedWatch and 21 WHO reports) Evidence D source
  INR rose from 2.3 to 3.9 then 4.7 after the supplement dose was raised, back to 2.6 after stopping; 20 MedWatch reports of altered coagulation; 21 WHO reports of raised INR, 17 resolved on stopping
• Calcium carbonate supplements can block levothyroxine absorption, and the drug label tells patients to keep the two at least 4 hours apart. — people taking levothyroxine and calcium carbonate Evidence E source
  Separate doses by 4 hours
• Pooling 13 placebo-controlled trials in osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate did not raise the odds of any type of adverse event. — patients with osteoarthritis in randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials (n = 13 trials in meta-analysis) Evidence A source
  No increased odds of any adverse event type vs placebo for glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate

What people believe that the data does not support

• The EU refused to authorize the claim that the hyaluronic acid in Schiff Move Free helps lubricate and support joints. — EU Register on nutrition and health claims, substance Hyaluronic Acid Evidence E source
  Status Non-authorized
• The EU also refused the claim that glucosamine protects joint cartilage and improves range of motion, and none of its 16 glucosamine claims is authorized. — EU Register on nutrition and health claims, substance Glucosamine Evidence E source
  Status Non-authorized; 0 of 16 glucosamine claims authorized
• The EU refused the claim that chondroitin supports joint mobility and keeps joints supple and flexible. — EU Register on nutrition and health claims, substance Chondroitin Evidence E source
  Status Non-authorized

Who this works differently for

• NIH ODS puts the upper limit for calcium at 2,000 to 2,500 mg a day for adults. It says higher supplemental calcium might raise the risk of kidney stones, and that the limits rest on WHI data linking 1,000 mg a day of supplemental calcium for 7 years to more stones. — United States tolerable upper intake levels set by the Food and Nutrition Board, food and supplements together Evidence E source
  UL 2,500 mg a day at 19 to 50 years (including pregnancy and lactation), 2,000 mg at 51 and older, 3,000 mg at 9 to 18, 2,500 mg at 1 to 8; higher supplemental calcium might raise kidney stone risk; hypercalcemia can cause renal insufficiency, constipation, arrhythmias
• NCCIH says glucosamine may raise blood sugar in some people, that glucosamine and chondroitin have been linked to a higher risk of bleeding in people taking warfarin, and that little is known about their safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. — people taking glucosamine and chondroitin; people on warfarin; people with diabetes; pregnant or breastfeeding women Evidence E source
  Glucosamine may raise blood glucose in some people; glucosamine and chondroitin linked to more bleeding on warfarin; little known in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Shrimp shells are a major source of supplement glucosamine. In a double-blind challenge in 15 shrimp-allergic adults, all tolerated 1,500 mg of shrimp-derived glucosamine with no immediate or delayed reaction. — subjects with a history of shrimp allergy, positive skin tests to shrimp and ImmunoCAP class two or greater (n = 15) Evidence B source
  All 15 tolerated 1,500 mg of shrimp-derived or synthetic glucosamine with no immediate or delayed reaction within 24 h
• In 24 adults with hypoparathyroidism, one month of calcium citrate caused less constipation than calcium carbonate and lowered urinary oxalate, while serum calcium stayed the same. — 24 adults with postsurgical chronic hypoparathyroidism, 1 month per arm, crossover (n = 24) Evidence B source
  Oxalate/creatinine -2.46 vs +7.42 mmol/mol (p = 0.029); less constipation with citrate (p = 0.047); serum calcium not different
• Calcium carbonate causes more gas, bloating and constipation than calcium citrate, especially in older adults with less stomach acid. — calcium supplement users, especially older adults Evidence E source
  More gastrointestinal side effects with carbonate

What is still unknown

• A meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials found oral hyaluronic acid improved skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkle depth, but the trials were small and inconsistent. — adults in 7 randomized placebo-controlled trials of oral hyaluronic acid (n = 7 RCTs) Evidence A source
  Significant improvement in hydration, elasticity, wrinkle depth (standardized mean differences); firmness, wrinkle volume, TEWL not significant

The bottom line

A refused EU claim means the evidence did not reach the bar when it was assessed. For oral hyaluronic acid on the skin, a meta-analysis of 7 randomized placebo-controlled trials found statistically significant gains in hydration, elasticity and wrinkle depth, and the authors say the trials were small and inconsistent and larger ones are needed. Those trials say nothing about joints. Pooling 13 placebo-controlled trials in osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate did not raise the odds of any type of adverse event, with the caveat that those were sulfate forms and some studies were industry funded. For calcium, the form matters more than the brand. According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, calcium citrate depends less on stomach acid and can be taken without food, and calcium supplements in general are absorbed better with a meal. After bariatric surgery, a meta-analysis of 4 randomized trials with 227 patients found citrate lowered parathyroid hormone more than carbonate after a single dose, with no difference over time. In an 8-hour test in 150 adults after gastric bypass or sleeve surgery, citrate reached a peak blood calcium of 9.8 mg/dL against 9.5 for carbonate, a small gap from one clinic and one dose. Who should be careful. NCCIH says glucosamine and chondroitin have been linked to a higher risk of bleeding in people taking warfarin. In one published case a 71-year-old man on warfarin saw his INR rise from 2.3 to 3.9 after he tripled his glucosamine-chondroitin dose. The authors also found 20 FDA and 21 WHO reports of raised INR or bleeding with the pair. Such reports show an association, not how often it happens. NCCIH also says glucosamine may raise blood sugar in some people, without giving a size, and that little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Shrimp shells are a major source of supplement glucosamine. In one double-blind challenge, 15 shrimp-allergic adults tolerated 1,500 mg of shrimp-derived glucosamine with no reaction, but that is one small trial of products from specific makers, not a clearance for every label. For calcium, NIH ODS puts the upper limit at 2,500 mg a day from 19 to 50 and 2,000 mg from 51, counting food and supplements together, and says higher supplemental calcium might raise the risk of kidney stones. That limit rests on WHI data linking 1,000 mg a day of supplemental calcium for 7 years to more stones, and ODS notes that two later systematic reviews found no such link. Calcium carbonate can also block the absorption of levothyroxine, and the drug label tells patients to keep the two at least 4 hours apart. The same fact sheet says carbonate causes more gas, bloating and constipation than citrate, especially in older adults with less stomach acid, without giving a size. In 24 adults with hypoparathyroidism after surgery, one month of citrate caused less constipation than carbonate (p = 0.047), and blood calcium was no different between them. The Tiger's Milk bar is a sweet with added nutrients. USDA lists it at 387 calories, 36.4 g sugars, 429 mg calcium and 10.3 mg iron per 3.5 oz (100 g), from one record published in 2019 on an older analysis, and the recipe may have changed since. Scaled to a 1.2 oz (35 g) bar, that is about 135 calories, 12.7 g sugars, 5.9 g protein and 150 mg calcium, roughly 12% of the 1,300 mg Daily Value, a calculation from the 100 g figures rather than a weighed bar.

Sources

1. sch-r8-01 · USDA SR Legacy food, dataset
   SCHIFF,TIGER'S MILK BAR (FDC 167946, sr_legacy): Energy 387 kcal; Protein 16.8 g; Total lipid (fat) 14.29 g; Fatty acids, total saturated 2.073 g; Carbohydrate 56.46 g; Sugars 36.4 g; Fiber 2.3 g; Calcium 429 mg; Iron 10.28 mg; Magnesium 336 mg; Phosphorus 560 mg; Thiamin 1.47 mg; Vitamin B-6 1.68 mg; Vitamin B-12 4.2 ug; Vitamin D 0 ug per 100 g
   USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (2019-04-01), FDC 167946 · checked 2026-09-30
2. sch-r8-02 · USDA SR Legacy food, dataset
   SCHIFF,TIGER'S MILK BAR (FDC 167946): portion 1 bar = 35 g; per 100 g Energy 387 kcal, Protein 16.8 g, Sugars 36.4 g, Total lipid 14.29 g, Calcium 429 mg, Iron 10.28 mg, Magnesium 336 mg
   USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (2019-04-01), FDC 167946 · checked 2026-09-30
3. sch-r8-03 · agency fact sheet
   Calcium citrate is less dependent on stomach acid for absorption than calcium carbonate, so it can be taken without food [1]. In general, however, absorption of calcium supplements is greater when they are taken with food, regardless of whether the user’s gastric acid is low [3].
   NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Calcium fact sheet for health professionals · checked 2026-09-30
4. sch-r8-04 · meta-analysis of RCTs
   In conclusion, a single dose of calcium citrate is superior to calcium carbonate in reducing PTH levels in patients undergoing bariatric surgery, but no difference was observed over time between the formulations.
   Obes Surg, 2026 · checked 2026-09-30
5. sch-r8-05 · randomized crossover trial
   Ca citrate also demonstrated superior relative bioavailability, as evidenced by a higher AUC0-8h of 76.1 mg/dL·h versus 74.7 mg/dL·h for carbonate (P = .001) and a Cmax of 9.8 mg/dL compared to 9.5 mg/dL for carbonate (P < .001).
   Surg Obes Relat Dis, 2025 · checked 2026-09-30
6. sch-r8-09 · meta-analysis of RCTs
   Some supplements with a limited number of studies and participants suggested large treatment effects, while widely used supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin were either ineffective or showed small and arguably clinically unimportant treatment effects.
   Br J Sports Med, 2018 · checked 2026-09-30
7. sch-r8-11 · meta-analysis of RCTs
   In patients with TMJ OA, compared with placebo, glucosamine may not result in a clinically important reduction in pain at ≤3 months (MD -1.58 mm; 95% CI -5.98 to 2.83; low certainty) and probably does not provide a clinically important reduction at 6 months despite statistical significance (MD -7.02 mm; 95% CI -11.95 to -2.09; moderate certainty).
   Front Dent Med, 2026 · checked 2026-09-30
8. hf2-sch-4 · case report with pharmacovigilance review
   The patient then increased his dosage of glucosamine to 1500 mg and chondroitin to 1200 mg twice/day; his INR previous to this change was 2.3. Approximately 3 weeks later, his INR increased to 3.9. ... Using the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch database, 20 reports of glucosamine or glucosamine-chondroitin sulfate use with warfarin associated with altered coagulation (manifested by increased INR, or increased bleeding or bruising) were identified. ... The World Health Organization (WHO) adverse drug reactions database documented 21 spontaneous reports of increased INR associated with glucosamine use, 17 of which resolved when glucosamine was stopped.
   Pharmacotherapy, 2008 · checked 2026-10-08
9. sch-r8-07 · agency fact sheet
   Calcium carbonate supplements can interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, and others), a thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer [104-106]. The FDA-approved label for this medication instructs patients who are taking calcium carbonate supplements to avoid taking levothyroxine within 4 hours of taking the supplement [107].
   NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Calcium fact sheet for health professionals · checked 2026-09-30
10. sch-r8-10 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Glucosamine sulfate (GS), chondroitin sulfate (CS) and avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU; Piascledine®) were not associated with increased odds for any type of AEs compared with placebo.
    Drugs Aging, 2019 · checked 2026-09-30
11. sch-r8-13 · EU health claim register
    POL-HC-7274 Hyaluronic Acid The Hyaluronic Acid in Schiff® Move Free® helps lubricate and support joints. Non-authorised
    EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-7274, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-09-30
12. sch-r8-14 · EU health claim register
    POL-HC-6222 Glucosamine Glucosamine contributes to the protection of joint cartilage exposed to excessive motion or loading and helps to improve the range of motion in joints -/- Non-authorised
    EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-6222, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-09-30
13. sch-r8-15 · EU health claim register
    POL-HC-6922 Chondroitin - Helps to supports the mobility of the joints; - helps keep joints supple and flexible; - an important component of the joint metabolism. Non-authorised
    EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-6922, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-09-30
14. hf2-sch-1 · fact sheet, expert body position
    Higher intakes of supplemental calcium might increase the risk of kidney stones. According to some research, calcium supplements have the potential to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Higher calcium intakes might also increase the risk of prostate cancer. The tolerable upper intake level for calcium ranges from 2,000 mg to 2,500 mg for adults and from 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg for infants, children, and adolescents, depending on age. ... The ULs for calcium established by the FNB are listed in Table 3. They are based on observational evidence from the WHI showing a link between higher intakes of supplemental calcium (1,000 mg/day for 7 years) and a greater risk of kidney stones [97,98]. However, two subsequent systematic reviews of the evidence from 10 studies in more than 8,000 adults with osteoporosis who took 120 to 1,500 mg supplemental calcium daily for 3 days to 3 years [99] and 11 RCTs in 51,419 adults 50 years and older who took 1,000 to 1,600 mg calcium with or without vitamin D for 2 to 7 years [39] found no such association.
    NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Calcium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals · checked 2026-10-08
15. hf2-sch-2 · agency fact sheet
    However, glucosamine may cause increases in blood glucose (sugar) levels in some people, and glucosamine and chondroitin have been associated with an increased risk of bleeding in people who are taking the anticoagulant warfarin. Little is known about the safety of using glucosamine and chondroitin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
    NCCIH, Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis: What You Need To Know (last updated October 2023) · checked 2026-10-08
16. hf2-sch-3 · randomized controlled trial
    There is concern that shrimp-allergic individuals may react to glucosamine-containing products as shrimp shells are a major source of glucosamine used for human consumption. ... Fifteen subjects with positive skin tests to shrimp and an ImmunoCAP class level of two or greater were selected for a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) using glucosamine-chondroitin tablets containing 1,500 mg of synthetically produced (control) or shrimp-derived glucosamine. ... All subjects tolerated 1,500 mg of both shrimp-derived or synthetic glucosamine without incident of an immediate hypersensitivity response.
    Clin Exp Allergy, 2006 · checked 2026-10-08
17. sch-r8-06 · randomized crossover trial
    However, Ca-Cit was associated with a significant reduction in the oxalate/creatinine ratio compared with CaCO3 (-2.46 mmol/mol [SD 11.93] versus 7.42 mmol/mol [SD 17.63], p = 0.029). Serum calcium and phosphorus concentration was not different between the two calcium preparations. Ca-Cit was associated with less constipation (p = 0.047).
    J Bone Miner Res, 2022 · checked 2026-09-30
18. sch-r8-08 · agency fact sheet
    Calcium carbonate appears to cause more of these side effects than calcium citrate, especially in older adults who have lower levels of stomach acid [1].
    NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Calcium fact sheet for health professionals · checked 2026-09-30
19. sch-r8-12 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    The meta-analysis revealed statistically significant improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle depth following oral HA supplementation. ... However, the study's limited sample size and heterogeneity among included studies call for larger, more robust trials to confirm these findings and further explore the effects of oral HA on skin health.
    J Drugs Dermatol, 2025 · checked 2026-09-30