Joint supplements have powerful anti-inflammatory capabilities that address the root causes of joint pain.
Unlike aspirin and NSAIDs they are easy on the stomach and studies indicate they are safe to take every day.
In the list below our expert panel brings together what they consider the most important benefits of joint supplements.
18 Benefits Of Joint Supplements
Joint supplements contain anti-inflammatories that provide an array of benefits both obvious and subtle. The following are the most important of those benefits.
1: Joint supplements reduce arthritis pain.
Arthritis is one of the most common degenerative diseases there are. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 50 million adults have arthritis (1). That is a staggering number that is only going to get worse as the population continues to age. Joint supplements address many of the aspects of arthritis that cause discomfort and pain.
2: Joint supplements fight inflammation.
Inflammation is a natural part of the body’s immune response. However, when chronic conditions like arthritis are involved, the body does not know when to turn the inflammatory response off. As a result, the person ends up in constant pain from the inflammation (2). Joint supplements that include compounds that produce anti-inflammatory benefits such as glucosamine or boswellia and chondroitin can provide much-needed relief.
3: Joint supplements are safer than NSAIDs.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do a good job providing temporary relief from joint pain. The problem is, taking them for long periods of time puts your heart, kidneys and digestive tract at risk. Studies have shown that long-term use of NSAIDs can increase blood pressure, the risk of heart attacks and strokes and the development of gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers (3).
4: Joint supplements improve mobility.
By reducing inflammation, alleviating pain and discomfort, and promoting healthy bones and cartilage, joint supplements have the potential to improve mobility in most people. Joint stiffness is a major byproduct of arthritis and can lead people to cut back on their physical activities. Joint supplements can help reverse that trend.
5: Joint supplements can reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a devastating autoimmune disease that attacks the joints. It can be extremely painful as well as disfiguring. As of this writing, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment focuses on addressing the symptoms and managing inflammation. In addition to lifestyle and dietary changes that may help, joint supplements have demonstrated an ability to relieve some of the pain and symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis (4).
6: Joint supplements may help you reclaim your active social life.
As joint pain becomes progressively worse, most people cut back on activities. First to go is usually exercise. Over time they may also stop going out to dinner, make fewer trips to the park and eventually, fewer trips to see loved ones. There is no positive spin you can put on that type of forced isolation. Joint supplements may help reverse the trend and help people reclaim their social life.
7: Joint supplements are affordable.
Even the most expensive joint supplements are extremely affordable when compared to prescription painkillers, physical therapy, and frequent doctor visits. Most wind up costing less than a dollar a day, which is quite a value when you consider how much they can improve a person’s quality of life.
8: Joint supplements may slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
Both glucosamine and chondroitin, along with collagen, have shown promise in clinical trials when it comes to slowing the progression of osteoarthritis, though not all research agrees (5). The current research points to joint supplements being potentially important alternatives to other medications that display greater levels of toxicity.
9: Joint supplements work for people of all ages.
Anyone of any age who is suffering from joint pain may benefit to some degree from joint supplements, though those with more severe disease seem to benefit the most. Whether you have injured your knee playing sports at school or are dealing with chronic arthritis pain, joint supplements may answer the call for help.
10: Joint supplements often contain collagen, which is good for your bones.
Collagen is one of the building blocks of strong bones (6). Many joint supplements include collagen as a complementary ingredient to glucosamine and chondroitin. The collagen in these supplements helps ensure that the bones forming your joints are not a weak link in the musculoskeletal frame and that they do not contribute to joint pain.
11: Joint supplements can help athletes recover from injuries.
Most people associate joint supplements with older folks wrestling with the pain of arthritis. Older folks are not the only ones dealing with stiff, painful joints, however. Athletes push themselves physically all the time and often pay the price with sore muscles and painful joints. Joint supplements are a safe and effective way for athletes to seek relief.
12: Joint supplements may help relieve back pain.
We say ‘may’ because there has not been sufficient clinical research to prove or disprove the claim. Nonetheless, there is anecdotal and some scientific (7) evidence that turmeric (contained in some joint supplements) may indeed help alleviate back pain stemming from sciatica.
13: Joint supplements do not require a prescription.
Most medications today require a prescription, but that is not the case with joint supplements. They can be obtained quickly and legally through myriad online shops, health food stores, supermarkets, and over the counter at most pharmacies. You will not have to worry about seeing the doctor every time you run out.
14: Joint supplements help you regain flexibility.
Inflammation not only causes pain, but it also limits movement and mobility. Chondroitin, a common ingredient in joint supplements, has demonstrated an ability to improve joint function and range of motion. It does this by bolstering the integrity of joint cartilage. This, in turn, reduces the amount of friction that occurs when you try to move (8). The result is greater flexibility, but according to a previous test tube study, only at high doses. More research is needed.
15: Joint supplements may enable you to take a pass on painkillers.
Joint pain is one of the most insidious types of pain. It is at its worst when you are trying to move about and conduct the business of your life. Many people rely on painkillers to deal with joint pain, but prescription painkillers are expensive, laden with side effects, and many are highly addictive (9). Joint supplements may help you avoid painkillers.
16: Joint supplements are non-addictive.
As we just mentioned, prescription painkillers may be effective, but that effectiveness can take a serious toll, including the possibility of addiction (10). Joint supplements, on the other hand, are completely free of narcotics and pose no threat of addiction. You can take them multiple times a day and never have to worry about them ruining your life the way opioids can.
17: Joint supplements help prevent loss of cartilage.
As we saw a bit earlier, glucosamine and chondroitin in joint supplements can help restore mobility by bolstering the integrity of cartilage. In doing so, it not only reduces the friction produced by damaged cartilage, but it can also halt, (or significantly slow), the process of cartilage loss (11) associated with arthritis.
18: Joint supplements improve your quality of life.
The net result of all the above benefits is that joint supplements may significantly improve a person’s quality of life. By alleviating pain, improving mobility, and providing a non-addictive alternative to painkillers, joint supplements prove their immense value on a daily basis. If you are looking for an affordable, safe, and effective way to obtain joint pain relief, this is it.
Conclusion
If left untreated joint pain can be an unrelenting burden that undermines a person’s quality of life. Fortunately, joint supplements exist that can alleviate pain and stiffness and allow a person to resume many of their normal activities. If you have questions about whether joint supplements are right for you ask your doctor.