Joint Supplements - How to Keep Your Joints Healthy

Our body is made up of many different parts and a major part are our joints. Joints allow for movement in our body. If a joint is not functioning well or is injured, you may find that your range of motion is limited or there may be pain.

In order to keep joints healthy, it is essential that you take the right supplements in order to ensure your body functions at its best.

The question is, what are the best joint pain supplements to enhance joint health?

What is a joint

A joint is the connection where two or more bones in the body are joined together. It is also known as a particular surface. These joints allow humans to move throughout its range of motion and also allows for different types of movements with different types of degrees without any boundaries. In order to make movement happen, muscles need to contract joints to certain desired directions

Many of these joints are cushioned by cartilage to allow the bones to glide over one another smoothly and easily. Synovia, a type of membrane, secretes synovial fluid to help reduce friction and protect bones from rubbing against each other.

Healthy joints allow you to walk, run and do things you love to do in comfort. Simply put, healthy joints allow you to move around freely without having to deal with chronic joint pains!

Any injury to the joints can potentially cause a lot of pain and this can interfere with one’s movement. One of the highest complaints is about knee pain, followed by shoulder and hip pain.

Joint pain can affect any part of your body and as you get older, painful joints become increasingly common.

Glucosamine

A common word associated with joints is glucosamine. Glucosamines is found naturally in the body and plays a very important role in producing glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans which act as building blocks of many parts of your joints.

Studies have found that the presence of glucosamine helps to slow down the breakdown of cartilage as it also rebuilds it.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is often taken along with glucosamine in treating osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that occurs when cartilage wears down over time. It is believed that chondroitin is the best supplement for joint pain as it helps to reduce pain and increase joint mobility.

This, in turn, results in less need for painkillers.

Joint pain supplements

There are many supplements that are said to treat joint paints. Among them are:

• Vitamin D

This pro steroid hormone is capable of healing joint pain as it helps absorb calcium, which Is vital for building strong bones. Adequate vitamin D helps to cure aching joint and is also known to help patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 

• Estrogen

Estrogen is said to be the best defense against knee osteoarthritis. The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis can cause severe damage to joints.

Estrogen is vital for musculoskeletal health, which includes joint health. Estrogen helps postmenopausal women with low counts. This is because, at this age, older women may complain about joint pain and stiffness as their primary menopausal symptoms. However, estrogen therapy is specifically not given for joint pain unless the woman is suffering from low estrogen levels.

• Turmeric

Turmeric is a natural supplement that can be used for treating joint pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Its pain-relieving effects are because of a chemical compound in turmeric known as curcumin. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory effects.

Although there is limited research on turmeric for joint pain, a study found that turmeric is a natural supplement for arthritis capable of curing joint pain more than a placebo and taking ibuprofen.

Collagen

While glucosamine and chondroitin are proven to be the best supplements to treat joint pain, some of us are not aware that collagen also contributes to supporting healthy joints.

Collagen is the building blocks of the body. It is where you can find an abundance of protein that can help provide support and elasticity to connective tissue such as cartilage, tendons, bones and ligaments.

Not only that, collagen restores cartilage growth. Cartilage functions as a cushion to cover the end of joint bones.

Due to the age factor or vigorous movements, cartilage tends to wear off. This results in bones rubbing against each other, causing pain.

Collagen provides support for the growth and repair of cartilage tissue as well as relieves joint inflammation and pain.

What supplements help rebuild cartilage?

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are components of normal cartilage. These are nutritional supplements that can be bought over the counter at health stores and pharmacies.

Read the label before buying any supplement and always consult your doctor if there are any doubts. For supplements for joint pain and stiffness, if the ingredient list shows glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride or glucosamine sulfate 2KCL, it may be an inferior substance.

The sulfate may help in building more cartilage. Unfortunately, some supplements that are sold as glucosamine sulfate are merely other forms of glucosamine, with or without a sulfate added.

What can you take to lubricate your joints?

The best way to ensure your joints are well lubricated is always via your diet. Always ensure that you get enough healthy fats through your food.

The same omega-3 that curbs inflammation in your blood vessels can also calm it down in your joints. Healthy fats can be obtained from salmon, trout olive oil, nuts and avocados. These are also high in the DHA form of omega-3.

You may also lubricate your joints simply by moving. Working out and simple exercises pumps more lubrication into your joints and releases more water into your lubricating fluid. The water helps to spread lubricating fluid over your cartilage surfaces more easily.

First thing in the morning, move your joints through their full range covering the cartilage nooks and crannies with fluid. This also eases any pain and makes life easier for movement throughout the day.

Of course, if all else fails, there are supplements with a combination of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin which may help. They increase lubrication and decrease inflammation, and thus, pain.

A typical dose of glucosamine is 500mg, three times a day. Definitely ask your doctor what is recommended for you as the require dosage varies from person to person.

Risks of taking glucosamine

Glucosamine is, on the whole, a fairly safe supplement. Side effects are generally mild. However, overdosing may cause a few side effects.

Watch out for an upset stomach, heartburn, drowsiness, constipation and headaches as they may be signs of an overdose.

Glucosamine may affect blood sugar and insulin levels. However, studies done before has come up with varied results. Therefore, you should talk to your physician before taking this supplement.

It may also interfere with some medication such as warfarin (Coumadin) and reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs.

Also, if you are allergic to shellfish, you may want to stay away from glucosamine derived from it.

Vitamins for joints

There are certain vitamins that help to lubricate joints more than others. Some people definitely use supplements to help manage joint pain due to the breakdown of cartilage.

Glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 are the top three go to supplements.

However, if there are additional vitamins that you can consume for better options. It may come in liquid or capsule forms.

You can try Nature's Farm JointPro or Nature’s Farm Multi Flex Liquid Glucosamine Plus for all its natural goodness and essential nutrients. The Multi-Flex, in particular, is a fast-absorbing joint health formula with patented and research-proven ingredients.

It also tastes peachy in liquid form and allows for a wide range of smooth and effortless movements. Customer reviews have praised this supplement after taking it for some time as it improved their joints movements, especially in the knees.

Conclusion

Nutrients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen and vitamins help in managing joint pain and in keeping joints healthy. If diet is unable to provide the necessary dosage of these nutrients, you can try taking supplements instead. Keep your joints healthy and keep your pain free, full range of movements by taking the right supplements, eating the right diet, moving and doing simple exercises. Live your pain free life starting today!

REFERENCES

Glucosamine Sulfate (Online) Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/glucosamine-sulfate-uses-and-risks [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Why are joints so important? (Online) Available at: https://www.wahpetondailynews.com/health/why-are-joints-so-important/article_58f20ca0-243c-11e2-bc06-0019bb2963f4.html [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Joint Pain (Online) Available at: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/joint-pain [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Understanding Cartilage, Joints, and the Aging Process (Online) Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/understanding-aging-and-joints [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Healthy Joints Matter (Online) Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/kids/healthy-joints [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Glucosamine (Online) Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/glucosamine/ Accessed 12 August 2020]

Chondroitin (Online) Available at: https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-chondroitin [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Chondroitin (Online) Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/chondroitin/. [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Glucosamine Sulfate (Online) Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/glucosamine-sulfate-uses-and-risks [Accessed 12 August 2020] 

Supplements for Arthritis and Joint Pain (Online) Available at: https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/arthritis-guide [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Can Vitamin D Help Relieve Your Rheumatoid Arthritis? (Online) Available at: https://www.keckmedicine.org/could-more-vitamin-d-help-relieve-your-rheumatoid-arthritis/#:~:text=Upping%20your%20vitamin%20D%20intake,adults%20and%20rickets%20in%20children. [Accessed 12 August 2020]

Turmeric and Curcumin for Arthritis: Does It Actually Help Relieve Pain? (Online) Available at: https://creakyjoints.org/alternative-medicine/turmeric-curcumin-for-arthritis/#:~:text=And%20a%20recent%20analysis%20of,much%20more%20research%20is%20needed. [Accessed 12 August 2020]

4 Surprising Benefits of Collagen for Joint and Bone Health (Online) Available at:  https://www.brandsworld.com.my/en/article-listing/4-surprising-benefits-of-collagen-for-joint-and-bone-health.html#:~:text=Collagen%20stimulates%20cartilage%20growth&text=As%20a%20result%2C%20tendons%20and,relieve%20joint%20inflammation%20and%20pain. [Accessed 12 August 2020]