Looking to soothe achey joints or keep on top of your joint health? Check out our guide on the best supplements for joints and learn how they can help.
Joint pain is an incredibly common ailment that affects many people in the UK. It’s typically seen in the knees, hands, elbows and shoulders of older people and frequently it’s due to an underlying joint condition such as arthritis.
When faced with pain, most often people will turn to over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or anti-inflammatory drugs, but there is currently lots of research being done into joint supplements and their effectiveness in treating joint problems, alongside keeping them healthy overall.
If you’re considering adding joint supplements or vitamins into your diet but are unsure about what you should be looking for, we’ve got you covered. Our experts have rounded up the best supplements for joint problems and their effectiveness at treating particular joint conditions such as arthritis.
Turmeric is a very popular joint supplement as it’s been proven to have pain-relieving effects due to the fact it contains a compound called curcumin which works as an anti-inflammatory. Current trials have suggested that it may be as effective as ibuprofen when it comes to managing joint pain.
This is also known as S-adenosylmethionine and it’s naturally produced by your liver from an amino acid called methionine. SAM-e can be quite effective as a joint supplement as it contains anti-inflammatory properties, can stimulate cartilage growth and also affects neurotransmitters such as serotonin to reduce your pain perception.
Boswellia serrate is sometimes referred to as Indian frankincense and it contains chemicals which are anti-inflammatory and it may have some pain-relieving properties too. There are currently studies being conducted on whether Boswellia serrate can help to prevent cartilage loss and hinder the autoimmune process.
4. GlucosamineGlucosamine naturally occurs in the body and is widely considered to be one of the best supplements for joints. It’s been widely studied and has been proven to help keep joints healthy and may have an anti-inflammatory effect too. When taken oven long periods of time, it may also prevent cartilage breakdown and slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
It’s worth noting that there are two types of Glucosamine: glucosamine hydroxide which studies show doesn’t seem to work too well in treating joint pain and glucosamine sulphate which has proven to be quite effective. If you’re looking for vitamin for joints, aim for the glucosamine sulphate option as most doctors will suggest avoiding glucosamine hydroxide.
Chondroitin is usually used in tandem with Glucosamine to treat osteoarthritis. It’s been found that it can reduce pain and increase joint mobility, alongside reducing the overall need for painkillers. Current studies have shown that it can help with joint pain and stiffness in those suffering from osteoarthritis with 53% of those taking it experiencing a 20% greater relief from their knee pain.
It may also help to prevent cartilage breakdown but there needs to be more in-depth studies done in this area.
6. Fish oilFish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid which both contain anti-inflammatory properties. Joint supplements containing fish oil may help with joint pain relating to rheumatoid arthritis.
This is an extract from soybean and avocado oils and they’re one of the best supplements for joints as they can help to prevent cartilage breakdown and may even repair cartilage too. A three-year long study was carried out where it was shown that long-term consumption of avocado-soybean unsaponifiables significantly reduced the progression of hip osteoarthritis when compared to placebos.
Also called harpagophytum, devil’s claw is an herbal supplement that contains a chemical called harpogoside which is an anti-inflammatory. There is currently research being carried out on its effectiveness at treating osteoarthritis.
If you’re experiencing joint pain, any unusual popping or cracking noises or stiffness, see your doctor straight away. Your healthcare provider will be able to find the root of the cause of your joint problems and prescribe appropriate treatment and dosages based on your ailment.
Want to find out more about how to relieve joint pain? Read our top tips, next.
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