Joint pain is a common symptom of many physical ailments, often showing up as one of the primary arthritis symptoms. It’s typically treated with exercise and pain ...
Joint pain is a common symptom of many physical ailments, often showing up as one of the primary arthritis symptoms. It’s typically treated with exercise and pain medication, but many people also turn to supplements in an attempt to accelerate recovery.
Can supplements for joint pain truly ease your situation? Let’s find out below.
What Is Joint Pain?
Joint pain is one of the primary symptoms of all types of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, etc.), as well as many autoimmune diseases, muscle or tendon inflammation, and fatigue.
It affects the bones and connective tissue around your joints, which may include ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. It’s typically accompanied by joint stiffness and, in many cases, can be a symptom of progressively deteriorating joint health.
What You Should Know About Supplements
Supplements are products designed to increase the intake of specific nutrients that may be missing or insufficient in your regular diet. In some cases, their active ingredients may help ease the symptoms of certain illnesses or help with recovery.
It’s important to note that supplements are never a substitute for medicine—while it’s increasingly common for doctors to prescribe them, they can only serve a supplementary role in therapy, just like in nutrition.
15 Best Supplements for Joint Pain Relief
Unfortunately, not every supplement has its marketed effects. To help you avoid these substances offering no real beneficial effect, we’ve listed 15 supplements that have been proven to have a positive effect on joint pain in general.
1. Turmeric (Curcumin)
A spice that has been used for centuries in traditional Indian and Chinese medicines, turmeric contains curcumin as an active ingredient.
Curcumin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in the treatment of arthritis, particularly when combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
2. Fish Oil (Omega-3s)
Fish oil, containing Omega-3s, is a supplement that’s popularly believed to have nearly universal positive properties. While its real benefits are often disputed, there are clinical trials showing that fish oil may indeed have positive effects on pain resulting from knee osteoarthritis, especially in lower doses.
3. Glucosamine/Chondroitin
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are components of cartilage, naturally found within the human body. It’s believed that their consumption may reinforce your joint cartilage, impeding its deterioration.
Although glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have shown minimal benefits when taken separately, there seems to be, interestingly enough, real benefit to them being taken in combination.
4. Collagen
As a protein naturally found in bones, cartilage, muscles, tendons, and skin, collagen keeps these tissues strong and healthy. As such, collagen supplements can help ease joint pain and other arthritis symptoms. A 2018 meta-analysis confirms this belief.
5. Fisetin
A flavonol contained in many fruits and vegetables, fisetin is believed to have a strong anti-aging effect on the whole organism. As for joint pain, it appears that fisetin specifically targets the enzyme Sirtuin 6, which can reduce inflammation and alleviate cartilage deterioration.
6. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Also found in fruits and vegetables, as well as grains and animal protein, this compound can help your body generate new connective tissue. This is highly useful in joint pain recovery, especially after injuries, and has been shown to have a positive effect.
7. Boswellia (Indian Frankincense)
Another ingredient popular in traditional Asian medicines, Boswellia contains acids that interfere with cell-level functions that cause pain and inflammation. This makes Boswellia an effective painkiller and anti-inflammation agent for arthritis and other conditions causing joint pain.
8. Flaxseed
Flaxseed supplements come in the form of oil or ground seeds and contain essential fatty acids that have been shown to contain significant anti-inflammatory properties. While limited in effect, this makes flaxseed supplements a useful addition to joint supplements.
9. SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)
A compound naturally produced by your liver, SAMe in supplement form may have healing properties comparable to NSAIDs, according to a 2002 meta-research. This means that it’s a highly effective anti-inflammation and pain-relieving agent, potentially also helpful in repairing cartilage damage.
10. Borage Oil (Gamma-Linolenic Acid)
Another natural anti-inflammation agent, borage oil holds a high concentration of gamma-linolenic acid, a fatty acid that has been shown to have a positive effect on the suppression of inflammation and joint tissue recovery.
11. Cat’s Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa)
A South American vine named after the distinct shape of its thorns, cat’s claw contains compounds called tannins and sterols, which may have a positive effect on swelling and inflammation. A 2001 research specifically tested on knee osteoarthritis patients has apparently confirmed this claim.
12. Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU)
These vegetable extracts made from a combination of avocado fruit and seeds and soybean oil help protect synovial cells, the special cells lining your joints with a key role in the growth of new connective tissue.
According to studies, they’re also useful in preventing cartilage degradation.
13. Tart Cherry Juice
The antioxidants in tart cherry juice have been shown to be beneficial on overall mobility, pain level, and quality of life for patients affected with osteoarthritis. The research suggests that a daily glass of tart juice is sufficient for a positive long-term effect.
14. Vitamin D
Considering that vitamin D deficiency has been commonly associated with joint pain, it’s been suggested that vitamin D supplements might help ease the symptoms. The evidence agrees, suggesting an improvement in pain and inflammation levels.
15. Vitamin E
Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties make it an effective immune system boost, but a 2018 research suggests that it may also have a preventative role against the progression of osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration, making it helpful in treating chronic conditions.
What Are the Benefits of Using Supplements to Reduce Joint Pain?
While they’re not a replacement for physical therapy and medication, supplements present a natural way to accelerate recovery and provide relief for some acute symptoms, such as pain or inflammation.
The exact benefits of supplements vary depending on your condition and the supplements you’re taking. For example, some of the supplements listed above might primarily help with inflammation, stiffness, and swelling, while others have analgetic properties and will directly act as painkillers.
To get the most benefits out of your supplement routine and create an effective combination, make sure to consult with your physician.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Using Supplements for Joint Pain?
Just like with medicines, there are risks associated with taking supplements.
Here are some adverse effects that may happen from using supplements:
Other Methods of Relieving Joint Pain
In case you feel that there are better alternatives to supplements for your joint pain, or you simply believe that you shouldn’t stick to a single remedial method, there are a few other things you can do to help relieve your joint pain.
Wrapping Up
When used well and while staying mindful of their potential drawbacks, supplements for joint pain can be a major help when it comes to overall recovery efforts. Still, there is no reason why you should strictly limit your relief efforts to supplements.
Thermo Recovery Wear’s semiconductor-embedded recovery sleeves and braces, made from black diamond fabric, are specially designed to help with acute and chronic joint conditions by improving topical circulation. More importantly, they can reduce joint pain by more than 62%, all at a highly affordable price.
Check out our catalog right now, and help yourself get rid of joint pain safely, quickly, and naturally!
