Many people experience persistent joint discomfort in their shoulders, elbows, hands, knees, and other places. Osteoarthritis, the most prevalent kind of arthritis, is typically to blame for this.
It is estimated that roughly 22.7% of Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis of some kind.
However, despite the great frequency of the condition, management for arthritis is confined to masking its symptoms, such as stiffness and inflammation. This is precisely why many individuals seek comfort from alternative treatments like joint pain pills.
Joint discomfort is typically treated first with painkillers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen.
Hundreds of supplements are also available, but which ones are effective at treating joint pain? Here are 9 of the top choices and what the available research has to say about them.
1. Turmeric
Among the most commonly used nutrients for relieving pain, especially osteoarthritis-related joint discomfort, is turmeric.
Its anti-inflammatory properties are ascribed to curcumin, a chemical component found in turmeric. It appears that curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties.
Although there is little data on turmeric for arthritis, an analysis of studies indicated that it reduces joint pain feelings more effectively than a placebo and could be on par with ibuprofen.
Typically, 500 mg of turmeric is taken twice to four times each day.
2. Fish Oil
Docosahexaenoic acid, as well as eicosapentaenoic acid, two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, have anti-inflammatory properties.
According to a reliable source of clinical study, consuming fish oil supplements helps people with rheumatoid arthritis feel better by easing their symptoms like joint discomfort. But the symptoms of osteoarthritis don’t appear to be lessened.
The typical daily intake of fish oil is between 300 and 1,000 mg.
3. Glucosamine
Natural cartilage, which shields bones against rubbing against one another and causing discomfort and inflammation, contains glucosamine. Additionally, it might lessen the likelihood of cartilage degradation brought on by arthritis.
Glucosamine, one of the supplements for osteoarthritis that has been the subject of the most research, is a common ingredient in products intended to relieve joint pain. However, there are still a few uncertainties regarding its effectiveness notwithstanding this research.
Glucosamine hydrochloride or glucosamine sulphate are the two forms of glucosamine that are typically found in supplements (see also “What Are The Best Energy Supplements?“).
According to a meta-analysis, glucosamine hydrochloride-containing medications don’t significantly reduce osteoarthritis-related joint discomfort.
A different study demonstrates that glucosamine sulphate does help with these symptoms, making it a potential superior treatment than glucosamine hydrochloride.
The advancement of osteoarthritis may be slowed down when glucosamine sulphate is consumed over an extended period of time.
According to studies, when used for as long as three years, it slows down the shrinking of the joints, a sign that the condition is getting worse.
1,500 mgs of glucosamine sulphate are commonly taken once daily. If this makes your stomach uncomfortable, consider taking it in three concentrations of 500 mg apiece.
4. Chondroitin
Chondroitin, like glucosamine, is a component of cartilage. Additionally, it might halt osteoarthritis-related cartilage deterioration.
Chondroitin has been shown in numerous clinical studies to help persons with osteoarthritis have less stiffness and pain in their joints (see also “How To Lubricate Stiff Joints?“). A 20 percent or more reduction in knee discomfort is reported by about 53% of patients who take chondroitin.
When taken regularly, chondroitin sulphate may potentially halt the progression of osteoarthritis. When taken for up to two years, according to studies, it delays the shrinking of the joint space.
Chondroitin and glucosamine are frequently combined in joint supplements. However, it’s still not obvious whether taking a combo supplement is any more beneficial than taking just one of them separately.
Usually, 400 to 800 mg of chondroitin are given twice or three times a day.
5. SAMe
S-adenosyl-L-methionine is a nutrient frequently used to treat osteoarthritis and depressive symptoms. SAMe is created by your liver from the amino acid methionine. It aids in the development and repair of cartilage, among other things.
SAMe, when given as a supplement, can aid with osteoarthritis-related joint pain symptoms. It might be equally efficient as celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory medicine (Celebrex).
After just a month of treatment, celecoxib alleviated symptoms more so than SAMe in one trial from 2004. However, the second month showed that the treatments were equivalent.
SAMe is typically taken three times a day in amounts of between 200 and 400 mg.
6. Boswellia
Boswellia acids, a class of chemicals included in this extract, have anti-inflammatory properties.
According to clinical trials, boswellia extracts reduce osteoarthritis patients’ pain feelings more effectively than a placebo.
Boswellia has been used in studies to treat joint pain at doses that vary from 100 mg daily to 333 mg.
7. ASUs
Unsaponifiables from avocado plus soybean oils are referred to as avocado-soybean extracts, and they may be able to stop cartilage from degrading. Additionally, cartilage repair may benefit.
Clinical research demonstrates that ASUs reduce osteoarthritis patients’ pain symptoms more effectively than a placebo.
ASU is typically taken daily at a dose of 300 mg.
8. Devil’s Claw
A substance called harpagoside, sometimes known as devil’s claw or harpagophytum, has anti-inflammatory properties.
Taking devil’s claw may ease osteoarthritis-related joint discomfort. According to one study, devil’s claw performed similarly to the anti-inflammatory medication diacerein.
More high-quality trials are required, however there isn’t much information on this substance for osteoarthritis.
Devil’s claw has been studied with doses ranging from 600 – 800 mg administered three times a day.
9. Methylsulfonylmethane
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is yet another typical component of supplements that are supposed to relieve joint discomfort.
In one study, MSM reduced pain and increased functioning in osteoarthritis patients when compared to a placebo.
MSM dosages typically vary from 1,500 – 6,000 mg each day, occasionally split into two doses.
Final Thoughts
The sheer amount of supplements on the market makes picking one for joint discomfort difficult. These items frequently have many components. Remember that a longer ingredient list doesn’t necessitate a better product in all cases.
In some instances, additional components have no known advantages for joint health. Others might include glucosamine and chondroitin, which are both healthy compounds.
However, there is little evidence to suggest that taking supplements with many compounds is more helpful than taking a supplement with a single ingredient.
Additionally, several of these products contain insufficient amounts of one or more components to be effective.
Before selecting a supplement, discuss the other medications you’re taking with your pharmacist or doctor so they can look for possible interactions. Certain drugs, such as blood thinners, can interfere with several joint health supplements.
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