Linda is our resident health and wellness editor. As a long time health and nutrition enthusiast, she spends her time researching scientific studies and keeping up with the latest health and wellness trends to provide top nutrition tips.
Studies have shown that just under half of all adults in the UK suffer from joint pain, making it one of the most prevalent medical conditions among British people1. For most, the unbearable pain poses a big challenge to their everyday lives.
Below we will explore some of the causes of joint pain, common symptoms and which natural supplements you should take to treat them.
What is joint pain?
Joints play an essential role in the functional movement of our bodies. They connect all of our bones to one another, therefore, the provide skeletal support and allow our bodies to move2. We rely on our joints to help us with all movements, which means that any injury that comes to them will cause a great deal of pain and greatly impede on one’s quality of life3.
Joint pain is defined as mild or severe pain, inflammation, or discomfort to the joints, however, it can also affect ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bones or muscles4. Numerous health conditions can be responsible for causing pain in the joints, including rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, osteoarthritis, sprains, and more5.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain in the joints during movement and/or rest: joint pain is commonly felt in the knees, elbows, ankles, lower back, hips and neck.
- Swelling in and around the joints
- Redness
- Warmth and tenderness around the joints
- Joint stiffness when performing movements6
In the search to find safer alternative treatments for joint pain, scientists and doctors around the globe have started to study how certain supplements can help with chronic pain, and which ones are the most effective.
Choosing the right supplement for joint pain
With so much choice on the market, finding the right supplements can be challenging. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine which ingredients are the most effective at relieving joint pain, swelling and stiffness. There have been more studies on turmeric than any other ingredient in this space, and evidence suggests that some of the best supplements for treating joint pain symptoms in order of ecctiveness are are8:
Turmeric curcumin (MOST RECOMMENDED): Turmeric curcumin helps to alter the body's inflammation process, which makes it one of the most effective natural treatments for joint pain. Studies have shown that the main active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, helps patients manage joint pain symptoms, including stiffness and inflammation9.
Vitamin C & Vitamin D: Vitamin C & D have been proven to improve bone health, muscle function and to encourage encouraging collagen formation (to strengthen joints). We can't stress how important it is your formula has these.
Glucosamine sulfate: Glucosamine, a natural component of cartilage, can help prevent inflammation and the breakdown of cartilage. As a supplement, it comes in two forms: glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Although, studies have demonstrated that glucosamine sulfate provides better results than glucosamine hydrochloride, although the jury is still out on how effective this ingredient is at all10,11.
Collagen: Collagen supplements support the maintenance of cartilage. Research shows that collagen helps to relieve symptoms associated with joint disorders, including reducing joint pain and inflammation12.
Benefits Of Turmeric Curcumin
- Relieves joint pain and aids mobility
- Helps to fight chronic illnesses, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and tendonitis
- Enhances immune health
- Improves the body’s inflammatory response
- Lowers the risk of brain and heart disease
- Increases the body’s antioxidant capacity6
Why It's Crucial That Turmeric Supplements Include Vitamin C and D
Although many brands emphasize the importance of including black pepper extract (or BioPerine) in their turmeric supplements, it is also equally important to look for a product that includes vitamins C and D in their formula. Vitamin C and vitamin D have long been hailed for their many health benefits, but what most consumers don’t know is that these vitamins are essential for bone, cartilage, joint and muscle health.
Studies have shown that vitamin D can help to improve overall body tissue health by boosting muscle health and function, improve bone health and even reduce the risk of dangerous falls by helping us to improve balance.
Despite being known for its immune benefits, Vitamin C is also a key vitamin when it comes to improving joint and bone health. Vitamin C can help us to maintain healthy bones by encouraging collagen formation, which can help to protect against osteoporosis. It has also been shown to help to take down inflammation, which helps to alleviate painful symptoms of arthritis.
There are numerous supplements you can take for joint pain, however, the only real way to reap the benefits from them is to choose the right one. Keep reading to see our picks for the top 5 best joint pain supplements on the market.
What should I look for?
Considering all of the attributes listed above, we’ve compiled a list of the three essential criteria you should look for when choosing your turmeric curcumin supplement.
One of the most important things to look out for when choosing a supplement is that it’s recommended by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals are more likely to align themselves with products that are made with high-quality ingredients that truly work.
It’s crucial that the supplement you buy contains Turmeric curcumin. Glucosamine and collagen maybe also be useful, but turmeric has been studied extensively by scientists and doctors. All three of these ingredients have shown promising results in helping to manage symptoms related to joint pain and it has been determined that they are safe to consume, but turmeric is the top priority.
It goes without saying, but it’s essential that the supplement you take is produced using high-quality, natural ingredients. Make sure that the supplement you buy doesn’t have any additives or additional unnecessary ingredients.
When buying a joint pain supplement, you need to ensure that the ingredients are delivered in potent doses. Look for a product with at least 500mg of organic turmeric per capsule (or 1000mg of organic turmeric per serving) and 5mg of black pepper or BioPerine. Black pepper is an essential in any turmeric supplement as it helps our bodies absorb the curcumin into the bloodstream (improves absorption up to 2000%)16,17.
Make sure that the product you buy has a clear money-back guarantee on all product purchases. This is a tell-tale sign that a company knows they’re selling you a great product, so they aren’t afraid to offer you a sort of “insurance” on it.
What should I avoid?
Beware of online reviews (especially on Amazon)
Before purchasing any product, one of the first things we do when researching it is check its online reviews. Unfortunately, these are not always a trustworthy way to measure the quality and effectiveness of a product. Companies often pay for reviews on popular online retailers, like Amazon, to try and trick their way to a five star rating. While you should definitely consult these reviews before purchasing, do your own research as well.
Poor quality ingredients and low potency.
Watch out for supplements that add unnecessary ingredients or synthetic additives.
How we evaluated the top 5
Studies have shown that there are several natural remedies which can help patients better cope with the symptoms of joint pain. Over the last few years, joint pain supplements have surged in popularity as more people try to manage pain, inflammation and stiffness using natural treatments as opposed to strong drugs. While this means there are many more supplements to choose from, it also makes it more challenging to find the right one for you.
We researched the top rated joint pain products on the internet to find the best ones available on the market and rounded up our top picks for you below.
