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Exploring Supplements’ Role in Osteoarthritis Relief

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where joint tissues start breaking down, leading to pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function over time.1

Millions of people have OA. The condition can severely limit your quality of life if left unchecked.

While there is no known way to reverse osteoarthritis, there are ways to reduce or even minimize symptoms like pain and stiffness.

Medical treatments tend to begin at late stages of OA. They include aggressive doses of painkillers and topical creams. Many people prefer natural supplements which have a lower risk of side effects.

In this Supplements in Review article, I explore the question of how does osteoarthritis relief benefit from joint supplements.

Pain Relief

One of the hallmark symptoms of osteoarthritis is joint pain, especially when moving. Another common symptom is stiffness after a period of inactivity.

Hw can joint supplements help here? The answer: by blocking inflammatory molecules like NF-kB and COX-2 which aggravate pain.

Some of the common pain relief joint supplements include:

  • Boswellia Serrata. Also known as Indian Frankincense, it blocks the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase that promotes inflammation.2 In doing so, it contributes to pain reduction.
  • Chondroitin. It helps to hydrate and lubricate joint tissue, providing shock absorption. It works to lessen joint stiffness and pain when moving.3
  • Omega-3s. These include EPA and DHA, most often from fish oil but also found in algae and other plant sources. Most people consume too much omega-6 fatty acids and too little omega-3s, which may contribute to increased inflammation. By supplementing omega-3s you may see a reduction in joint inflammation, swelling, and pain.4

Inflammation Reduction

By reducing inflammation, joint supplements don’t just lessen pain. They also reduce stiffness. Moving and exercising should feel smoother without aches.

In addition, you may see greater flexibility. All of this is the result of alleviating chronic inflammation, which otherwise wreaks havoc on the joints.

Joint swelling is also common with osteoarthritis. Joint supplements reduce this symptom, as well, through their anti-inflammatory effects. Some of the most studied ones for this purpose include:

  • Curcumin. A potent anti-inflammatory molecule from the turmeric spice. Studies suggest it may even rival pharmaceutical drugs.5 6
  • MSM. A sulfur-like compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Many users report less pain and joint swelling, among other benefits.7

Joint Lubrication

Osteoarthritis can worsen from friction in joints. This friction sometimes might come from low-quality of synovial fluid which nourishes and lubricates joints, or lack thereof.

Supplements can help here by drawing more water to cartilage, as well as supporting the production and quality of synovial fluid. You might notice less pain and smoother movement as a result.

  • One of the most effective joint supplements for this purpose is hyaluronic acid (HA). It is a molecule that is found in joint fluid and contributes to shock absorption.

While it’s commonly known for being used in injections for joint pain and function, HA is also shown to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis when taken orally.8

Cartilage Support

Tackling pain and inflammation are key steps to stopping osteoarthritis from limiting your quality of life.

However, it’s just as important, or arguably even more important, to deal with the loss of joint tissue, which worsens osteoarthritis in the first place.

Joint supplements can help by providing building blocks and materials needed for maintaining cartilage.

  • The two most well known ones are glucosamine and chondroitin. They are not proven to work. However, some studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis as well as fight cartilage loss.9

Further Reading:

References

  1. Sen R, Hurley JA. Osteoarthritis. [Updated 2023 Feb 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. ↩︎
  2. Siemoneit U, Pergola C, Jazzar B, Northoff H, Skarke C, Jauch J, Werz O. On the interference of boswellic acids with 5-lipoxygenase: mechanistic studies in vitro and pharmacological relevance. Eur J Pharmacol. 2009 Mar 15;606(1-3):246-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.01.044. Epub 2009 Feb 5. PMID: 19374837. ↩︎
  3. Singh JA, Noorbaloochi S, MacDonald R, Maxwell LJ. Chondroitin for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 28;1(1):CD005614. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005614.pub2. PMID: 25629804; PMCID: PMC4881293. ↩︎
  4. DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe J. The Importance of Maintaining a Low Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio for Reducing the Risk of Autoimmune Diseases, Asthma, and Allergies. Mo Med. 2021 Sep-Oct;118(5):453-459. PMID: 34658440; PMCID: PMC8504498. ↩︎
  5. Kuptniratsaikul V, Dajpratham P, Taechaarpornkul W, Buntragulpoontawee M, Lukkanapichonchut P, Chootip C, Saengsuwan J, Tantayakom K, Laongpech S. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter study. Clin Interv Aging. 2014 Mar 20;9:451-8. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S58535. PMID: 24672232; PMCID: PMC3964021. ↩︎
  6. Hsiao AF, Lien YC, Tzeng IS, Liu CT, Chou SH, Horng YS. The efficacy of high- and low-dose curcumin in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2021 Dec;63:102775. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102775. Epub 2021 Sep 16. PMID: 34537344. ↩︎
  7. Toguchi A, Noguchi N, Kanno T, Yamada A. Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Knee Quality of Life in Participants with Mild Knee Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2023 Jun 30;15(13):2995. doi: 10.3390/nu15132995. PMID: 37447322; PMCID: PMC10346176. ↩︎
  8. Oe M, Tashiro T, Yoshida H, Nishiyama H, Masuda Y, Maruyama K, Koikeda T, Maruya R, Fukui N. Oral hyaluronan relieves knee pain: a review. Nutr J. 2016 Jan 27;15:11. doi: 10.1186/s12937-016-0128-2. PMID: 26818459; PMCID: PMC4729158. ↩︎
  9. Vo NX, Le NNH, Chu TDP, Pham HL, Dinh KXA, Che UTT, Ngo TTT, Bui TT. Effectiveness and Safety of Glucosamine in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Pharmacy (Basel). 2023 Jul 14;11(4):117. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy11040117. PMID: 37489348; PMCID: PMC10366893. ↩︎

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned anywhere on Supplements in Review are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.