What Are the Best Supplements for Joint Pain?
For people with pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness in joints, arthritis can be the cause. Arthritis means inflammation in joints. The joint inflammation can cause discomfort and take a toll on daily routine. A survey showed that around 58.5 million US adults (23.7%) have arthritis or other rheumatic conditions.
The market is brimming with numerous supplements that claim to work magically on arthritis treatment. But it is crucial to know which supplement you can go for because, just like medication, supplements can have severe adverse effects. If you want to know about the best supplements for pain and inflammation in joints, continue to read this blog.
Remember to confer with a doctor before you decide on something for your joint pain. You can use a pharmacy discount card to buy supplements and prescribed medication to save money.
Top 5 Best Supplements for Joint Pain
Here is a list of supplements that may offer arthritis symptom relief.
1. Glucosamine
Glucosamine is one of the most common supplements for arthritis. It helps people with osteoarthritis pain and guard their cartilage against further damage. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that protects the joint.
The National Institutes of Health remarked that glucosamine has shown effective results in moderate and severe arthritis but is not helpful for mild arthritis pain. Glucosamine plays a vital role in the formation of glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins. These proteins are essential for building numerous joint parts like ligaments, tendons, synovial fluid, and cartilage. Consuming glucosamine, on the healthcare profession’s advice, can slow down cartilage deterioration and even help rebuild it.
Along with benefits, you must know if glucosamine is safe for you or not. People can experience mild, infrequent side effects of glucosamine- stomach upsets, diarrhea, headache, constipation, and rashes.
A diabetic person should be cautious while taking glucosamine because it may increase your blood sugar level. In this case, healthcare professionals will make necessary adjustments to your treatment.
2. Chondroitin
Chondroitin is another dietary supplement that works wonders. Just like glucosamine, chondroitin is naturally present in healthy cartilage. It prevents cartilage breakdown and fastens its repair mechanism.
Chondroitin is a well-known treatment for osteoarthritis. Doctors often give it along with glucosamine supplements. Various studies stated that chondroitin effectively decreases pain, enhances joint mobility, and reduces painkillers intake. The supplement consists anti-inflammatory properties and shows cartilage-protecting effects through different mechanisms.
A comprehensive study- the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), analyzed glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin as a combination and separately, with an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and inactive treatment (placebo) in people with knee osteoarthritis. Glucosamine showed improvement in symptoms but was not much better than a placebo. Another international trial in 2016 showed the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin was effective as the NSAID celecoxib at lessening pain, stiffness, and swelling in knee osteoarthritis.
You can go to a pharmacy near you and can buy chondroitin capsules. This supplement usually comes as a combo with glucosamine sulfate.
3. Fish Oil capsule
Fish contain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, which work nicely for rheumatoid arthritis compared to osteoarthritis. It is because inflammation is the leading cause of rheumatoid arthritis, and fish oil’s potent anti-inflammatory properties help fight and improve its symptoms.
Regularly consuming fish oil capsules can help reduce the use of painkillers, which aids in avoiding the side effects they can experience. Besides this, Omega-3s are good for health diseases and dementia.
People who prefer plant-based sources like flax, chia, hemp seeds, and walnuts for omega-3s should know that these sources are low on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA). The omega-3s in plant sources are α‐linolenic acid (ALA). However, the omega-3s in fish are EPA and DHA. These two omega-3s have more significant health benefits than ALA. Therefore always check EPA and DHA content while buying fish oil supplements.
4. SAM-e
S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) is a natural chemical compound present in the body. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which protect cartilage and alleviate pain. It stimulates collagen and proteoglycans production, which act as building blocks for cartilage.
SAM-e is usually safe but can have mild side effects like nausea, restlessness, headaches, a dry mouth, and stomach upsets. If you’re on anticoagulants, you must check with a doctor before taking SAM-e. It may enhance the risk of bleeding.
The doctor suggests a 1,200 mg daily dose. It doesn’t show immediate effects; you must be patient while taking this supplement.
5. Curcumin
Curcumin, an active compound, is present in turmeric. Turmeric is a yellow-hued spice present in every Indian kitchen. It has potent anti-inflammatory properties, which help to block the inflammation-promoting enzyme like the COX-2 inhibitor drug celecoxib.
A study concluded that a 1,500 mg daily dose of curcumin extract was more effective on people with knee OA than 1,200 mg ibuprofen daily, without gastrointestinal side effects. Additionally, curcumin consumption helps to relieve.
This supplement also appears to relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain. But there is one issue with this supplement. Our body finds it challenging to absorb curcumin. There are several ways to increase supplement absorption when taking it as a supplement, like combining curcumin supplements with black pepper, consuming with Quercetin, etc.
Besides these supplements, you can take vitamins like vitamins A, C, and E, and vitamins D and K. Still; no study stated that vitamin consumption relieves arthritis symptoms. However, vitamin D is crucial for bone health, and vitamin K requires in cartilage structure.
6. Supplement Risk
Most supplements have a natural label but can still cause some side effects. They sometimes interact with the prescribed medication and can worsen your condition. For instance, the consumption of high-dose fish oil capsules can cause blood thinning and have chances to interact with anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Conclusion
These supplements are undoubtedly the best for pain and joint inflammation. But don’t start taking any supplements on your own. If you want to try them, you can use them as complementary to arthritis drugs, not as a substitute. Also, share your medical condition with the healthcare professional, if any, so that they can help you choose the right supplement for you. Don’t worry about expenses; you can use a best prescription discount card like WiseRx cards to buy supplements and prescribed medication and get a heavy discount.
FAQ’s
1. How to relieve arthritis knee pain?
A: To alleviate arthritis knee pain, you can try exercises like gentle stretching, low-impact activities (swimming, biking), applying ice or heat packs, using knee braces, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
2. Are there supplements that promote joint health in the long term?
A: Yes, glucosamine and chondroitin are popular supplements for supporting joint health and may help slow the progression of joint-related issues.
3. Is it safe to combine different joint pain supplements?
A: While some combinations may be safe, checking with a healthcare professional before mixing multiple joint pain supplements to avoid potential interactions or adverse effects is best.
4. Are there any natural remedies for joint pain relief?
A: Yes, natural remedies like ginger, green tea, Epsom salt baths, and acupuncture have shown promise in reducing joint pain and inflammation.
5. Can diet play a role in managing joint pain?
A: Certain foods with anti-inflammatory properties help to relieve joint pain. You can have salmon, nuts, berries, lentils, beans, etc.
