Joint Supplements for Active Seniors With Osteoarthritis

Keeping active is important for our health and mental well-being at any stage of life. However, this becomes even more crucial as you get older.

Regular exercise is directly linked to reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. In addition, it improves your balance, strength, and stability, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.¹

Above all, staying active can be a great way to socialize, spend time in nature, and improve your overall quality of life.

But there are conditions, such as osteoarthritis, which can make exercising painful and difficult.

Thankfully, there are ways you can combat this. One of them is by taking joint supplements. Not all supplements are made the same—some are complete waste of money—which is why it’s important to pick the right ones if you want to improve your joint health and fitness levels as a senior.

This SiR guide look into why joint supplements could help your osteoarthritis symptoms, and which ones are actually shown to work. You can either take one of these supplements individually, or you can look for pre-made joint supplements with multiple ingredients for a deeper approach to improving joint function.

Why Should Active Seniors Take Joint Supplements for Osteoarthritis Relief?

Osteoarthritis can stop you from staying active as a senior. The loss of cartilage, loss of mobility, and increasing joint pain are symptoms of OA that make it difficult to move free.

Imagine being able to get up in the morning and go for a run without any pain, enjoying fresh air and your surroundings. Joint supplements are not a miracle cure, but they can help you with keeping an active physical condition.

The main reason you should take joint supplements as an active senior with osteoarthritis is the improvement in joint mobility and pain-free movement. This is the most important benefit of quality joint supplements that will help you stay active and enjoy life without physical limitations for years to come.

Joint supplements also protect your joint tissue from inflammation and wear and tear of regular exercise. They support joint lubrication which enhances fluid movement and absorbs shocks. As such, joint supplements can give you a deep osteoarthritis relief.

There are many joint supplements out there. It’s important to look for ones that have a solid track record in scientific studies for joint pain, mobility, and long-term function. Below, I highlight the ones I recommend based on the supporting evidence.

1. Boswellia Serrata

Boswellia Serrata is a tree native to India and the Middle Eastern region. When people talk about Boswellia for osteoarthritis, they mean the resin that is found underneath the tree bark.

This resin contains active compounds called Boswellic Acids. These have been shown to reduce symptoms of arthritis like inflammation, stiffness, and pain. One study found a reduction in knee pain from Boswellia supplementation.²

Boswellia is one of the most potent natural remedies for joint discomfort, including for active seniors.

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are compounds essential for human health and play a key role in osteoarthritis management. The three main ones found in our diet include ALA (Alpha-linoleic acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid).

While ALA is typically found in plant sources like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts and has poor absorption (little of it gets used by your body), EPA and DHA are mainly found in fish oil and algae (the latter is the original source of omega-3s in all marine ecosystems).

Omega-3s may contribute to keeping you active as a senior with OA by reducing inflammation and joint pain.³

3. MSM

MSM (short for methylsulfonylmethane) is a sulfur-containing compound naturally found in your body. It is known for improving joint flexibility and reducing pain when moving.

One of the ways MSM works is by increasing antioxidant activity in your body, which reduces damage to joint tissues and protects long-term joint health. Thanks to its positive effects on joint health, MSM has been shown to improve knee quality of life, which is especially important for active seniors.⁴

4. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule found in your eyes, skin, and joint fluid, contributing to lubrication and shock protection of joints. HA is sometimes injected directly into the affected joint, which can significantly relieve joint pain and stiffness. ⁵

However, oral hyaluronic acid has also been shown to work for combating osteoarthritis symptoms. It may lessen both pain and inflammation. Coupled with its lubricating properties, this makes HA an especially beneficial supplement for active seniors.

5. Glucosamine+Chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin are, again, two naturally occuring compounds in our joints. They are two of the most popular joint supplement thanks to their safety and potential effectiveness at improving stiffness, joint pain, and loss of joint function, among other osteoarthritis symptoms.⁶

While glucosamine and chondroitin have a lot of mixed evidence behind them, many people—including active seniors—report significant improvements from the consistent use of these supplements.

6. Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple. It is most commonly supplemented for its anti-inflammatory effects, particularly for sinusitis (sinus inflammation and stuffy nose). However, it is also shown to work for joint pain and arthritis symptoms. Studies show it may significantly reduce stiffness and other symptoms of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee.⁷

7. Turmeric

Turmeric is an Indian spice with the active compound curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Alongside MSM, omega-3s, and Boswellia Serrata, turmeric might be the most potent natural analgesic and remedy for osteoarthritis in active seniors. In fact, studies show turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, might be as effective as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – if not more.⁸

Further Reading:

• Tailoring Joint Supplement Regimens for Advanced Osteoarthritis Management
• Exploring Joint Supplements for Effective Osteoarthritis Relief
• Exploring Supplements Role in Osteoarthritis Relief
• Exploring the Impact of Joint Supplements on Senior Osteoarthritis Relief
• Exploring Natural Joint Supplements for Osteoarthritis Relief

References

1. https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/health-conditions/obesity/stay-active-you-get-older-quick-tips#:~:text=Physical%20activity%20is%20especially%20important,prevent%20injuries%20and%20stay%20independent ↩︎
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711304701890?via%3Dihub ↩︎
3. Zivkovic AM, Telis N, German JB, Hammock BD. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids aid in the modulation of inflammation and metabolic health. Calif Agric (Berkeley). 2011 Jul;65(3):106-111. doi: 10.3733/ca.v065n03p106. PMID: 24860193; PMCID: PMC4030645. ↩︎
4. 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. ↩︎
5. 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. ↩︎
6. Zhu X, Sang L, Wu D, Rong J, Jiang L. Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Orthop Surg Res. 2018 Jul 6;13(1):170. doi: 10.1186/s13018-018-0871-5. PMID: 29980200; PMCID: PMC6035477. ↩︎
7. Pothacharoen P, Chaiwongsa R, Chanmee T, Insuan O, Wongwichai T, Janchai P, Vaithanomsat P. Bromelain Extract Exerts Antiarthritic Effects via Chondroprotection and the Suppression of TNF-α-Induced NF-κB and MAPK Signaling. Plants (Basel). 2021 Oct 23;10(11):2273. doi: 10.3390/plants10112273. PMID: 34834636; PMCID: PMC8625807. ↩︎
8. 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. ↩︎