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Exploring the Pain Relief Benefits of Joint Supplements

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Pills and tablets on a yellow table representing pain relief benefits of joint supplements
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In this SiR article, I explore some of the driving factors of joint pain and how joint supplements can benefit you.

Inflammation and Pain

Inflammation is one of the most common drivers of joint pain. Joint inflammation is often closely linked to conditions such as arthritis, where connective tissues get damaged and pain is experienced as a result.

This often happens when the immune system isn’t working right. The immune system, which is supposed to protect us, triggers inflammatory chemicals. The ensuing inflammation attacks joint tissues and can lead to:

  • Swelling
  • Excess joint fluid
  • Cartilage and bone damage
  • Muscle loss

Nerves in joints get activated causing pain. Other nerves in the body can also get triggered by inflammatory molecules, leading to pain.1

The good news is that joint supplements can significantly help in this area. By addressing some of the root issues of painful joint conditions – such as inflammation – joint supplements can directly relieve your pain and protect your joints from degrading over time.

Some of the best joint supplements for this purpose are:

  • Boswellia Serrata. Also known as Indian Frankincense, Boswellia is a gum resin extracted from a tree which has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, protecting your joints from pain and wear and tear.2
  • Curcumin. This is a potent anti-inflammatory component of the Indian spice turmeric that is shown to relieve pain as effectively as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in some cases.3
  • Omega-3s. The most important omega-3 fatty acids include EPA and DHA. These compounds may augment the beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of other supplement ingredients mentioned above, further contributing to a reduction in joint pain.4

Joint Lubrication & Hydration

Another way joint pain can be aggravated is through dry joints. This happens when synovial fluid, which lubricates and hydrates your joints, is at low levels. A decline in synovial fluid can happen with age and contributes to conditions such as osteoarthritis and stiff joints.5

The good news is that some supplements may support the production and quality of your synovial fluid. For example, chondroitin is a vital part of your joint tissue that draws water to cartilage, a spongy tissue that cushions your joints. In doing so, chondroitin may support joint flexibility and mobility, resulting in less pain when you move.6

Another studied joint supplement for this purpose is hyaluronic acid (HA). It is often injected directly into the joint, but it can also be taken orally for osteoarthritis relief and joint pain. HA is a direct component of your synovial fluid, and supplementation may lead to you being able to move with less pain, or no pain at all—depending on how well your joints react to it.7

Cartilage Wear and Tear

Cartilage degradation is something that happens in many people as they get older. Factors such as increased inflammation, reduced collagen production, and constant wear and tear from demanding physical activities all contribute to this deterioration. As a result, you may start noticing more and more joint pain as you age.

  • The good news is that this process can be somewhat slowed down, or in some cases, blocked with correct lifestyle modifications, one of which includes joint supplements.

Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and type-II collagen are excellent joint supplement ingredients for relieving joint pain caused by wear and tear. These ingredients inhibit the breakdown of cartilage, as well as giving your body building blocks for repairing and building new connective tissues.

Joint Mobility

Loss of joint mobility is one of the first symptoms of arthritis. This decreased ability to move, bend, and flex not only restricts your quality of life, but it also leads to increased pain when you try to do the things you once could do effortlessly.

Luckily, joint supplements can help here, too. Ginger, Bromelain, Boswellia Serrata, MSM, and Cissus Quadrangularis are all potent anti-inflammatory supplements that can reduce swelling in and around your joints. As a result, you may find you’re able to move freely without experiencing pain.

Final Notes

As I often do, I want to emphasize the importance of choosing a high-quality joint supplement. These benefits may only appear with supplements that use science-backed ingredients, in optimal dosages. You’d be surprised how many manufacturers fail to meet either or both of these criteria.

Make sure the product is produced in cGMP or FDA-approved facility—this helps to indicate you’re dealing with a safe and clean product.

Avoid joint supplements that use proprietary blends. This is when they hide ingredient dosages, only showing you their combined (total) amount.

It’s possible to find effective joint supplements that are budget-friendly. However, in most cases, you’ll need to fork out a premium price is you want the best option that will give you concrete, long-term results.

Further Reading

References

  1. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/understanding-pain/causes-of-inflammatory-joint-pain ↩︎
  2. Yu G, Xiang W, Zhang T, Zeng L, Yang K, Li J. Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020 Jul 17;20(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6. PMID: 32680575; PMCID: PMC7368679. ↩︎
  3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229921001163 ↩︎
  4. Goldberg RJ, Katz J. A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain. 2007 May;129(1-2):210-23. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.01.020. Epub 2007 Mar 1. PMID: 17335973. ↩︎
  5. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Effects_of_Ageing_on_Joints ↩︎
  6. Brito R, Costa D, Dias C, Cruz P, Barros P. Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements for Osteoarthritis: A Critical Review. Cureus. 2023 Jun 9;15(6):e40192. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40192. PMID: 37431333; PMCID: PMC10329866. ↩︎
  7. 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. ↩︎

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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.