Understanding the Benefits of Supplements for Joint Inflammation

Joint inflammation can be the enemy of movement and an enjoyable life, but it doesn’t have to be.

Supplements designed to relieve inflammation offer a relief by reducing swelling, alleviating pain, and restoring mobility.

In this Supplements in Review article, I explain benefits of supplements for joint inflammation and help you regain a pain-free life.

What is Joint Inflammation?

Joint inflammation is a condition where our immune system produces chemicals that affect joint tissue. The condition is closely linked to arthritis, although it can also be caused by injuries.

Arthritis-linked joint inflammation is not just an occasional ache or pain; it’s chronic. It affects millions of people worldwide by limiting their mobility and causing pain.

The most common symptoms of joint inflammation all affect the joints, and include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Heat
• Pain

These symptoms can affect only one joint or be widespread. They typically go away if the cause of inflammation is injury. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, though, these symptoms may get worse.

There are ways you can minimize the risk of arthritis symptoms getting worse. And possibly reduce the progression of joint inflammation as you age. One of the ways is by taking natural joint supplements that combat inflammation and protect joint tissue.

Key Supplements That Reduce Joint Inflammation

The following supplements target different aspects of the inflammatory process, lessening pain and improving joint function.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory fatty acids. Most of us know omega-3s from fish oil supplements, but they can also be found in plant sources like algae, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. Omega-3s have a modulating effect on eicosanoids and cytokines, which are molecules that aggravate joint inflammation.¹

• Curcumin: Curcumin is the active component of the Indian spice turmeric. Curcumin is used in supplements for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is shown to block the Nf-KB pathway and inhibit COX-2 enzyme, both of which are key players in the body’s inflammatory processes.^{2 3} Some studies suggest curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects might rival those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).⁴

• Ginger: You may have used ginger before to treat nausea and stomach sickness. But did you know that ginger also has anti-inflammatory effects? It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, molecules that are involved in inflammation. Ginger’s effects can in some cases be similar to those of anti-inflammatory drugs.^{5 6}

• Bromelain: bromelain is a pineapple enzyme with analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties. It is best known for acting as a nasal decongestant, but it may also relieve symptoms of arthritis.⁷

The Joint Lubrication Factor

Some supplements don’t target joint inflammation directly, but they can contribute to a lessening of inflammation in other ways. Let me explain…

Synovial fluid, which is found in your joints, plays an important factor in keeping your joints healthy, absorbing shocks, and moving smoothly.

The problem is, our synovial fluid production can go down with age. This leads to increased friction when moving. The result is increased inflammation of joint tissues.

Some joint supplements, like hyaluronic acid, quercetin, glucosamine, and chondroitin, may support synovial fluid viscosity and production. This indirectly reduces joint inflammation and discomfort when moving. ^{8 9 10}

Further Reading:

• How Joint Supplements Aid Mobility
• Joint Supplement Benefits for Arthritis
• Can Joint Supplements Benefit Athletes?
• Uncovering the Benefits of Natural Joint Supplements
• Boosting Your Sports Performance with Joint Supplements
• Pain Relief Benefits of Joint Supplements
• Boosting Joint Health Improvement Through Supplements
• Benefits of Supplements for Bone Health
• Strengthening Joints with Natural Supplements

References

1. Philip C. Calder; Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochem Soc Trans 15 October 2017; 45 (5): 1105–1115. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160474 ↩︎
2. Buhrmann C, Mobasheri A, Busch F, Aldinger C, Stahlmann R, Montaseri A, Shakibaei M. Curcumin modulates nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)-mediated inflammation in human tenocytes in vitro: role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. J Biol Chem. 2011 Aug 12;286(32):28556-66. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.256180. Epub 2011 Jun 13. PMID: 21669872; PMCID: PMC3151097. ↩︎
3. Goel A, Boland CR, Chauhan DP. Specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by dietary curcumin in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Cancer Lett. 2001 Oct 30;172(2):111-8. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3835(01)00655-3. PMID: 11566484. ↩︎
4. Paultre K, Cade W, Hernandez D, Reynolds J, Greif D, Best TM. Therapeutic effects of turmeric or curcumin extract on pain and function for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Jan 13;7(1):e000935. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000935. PMID: 33500785; PMCID: PMC7812094. ↩︎
5. Ballester P, Cerdá B, Arcusa R, Marhuenda J, Yamedjeu K, Zafrilla P. Effect of Ginger on Inflammatory Diseases. Molecules. 2022 Oct 25;27(21):7223. doi: 10.3390/molecules27217223. PMID: 36364048; PMCID: PMC9654013. ↩︎
6. Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG. Ginger–an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions. J Med Food. 2005 Summer;8(2):125-32. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2005.8.125. PMID: 16117603. ↩︎
7. Brien S, Lewith G, Walker A, Hicks SM, Middleton D. Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Studies. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2004 Dec;1(3):251-257. doi: 10.1093/ecam/neh035. Epub 2004 Oct 6. PMID: 15841258; PMCID: PMC538506. ↩︎
8. Vincent HK, Percival SS, Conrad BP, Seay AN, Montero C, Vincent KR. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Viscosupplementation on Synovial Fluid Inflammation in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study. Open Orthop J. 2013 Sep 20;7:378-84. doi: 10.2174/1874325001307010378. PMID: 24093052; PMCID: PMC3788189. ↩︎
9. 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. ↩︎
10. Matsuno H, Nakamura H, Katayama K, Hayashi S, Kano S, Yudoh K, Kiso Y. Effects of an oral administration of glucosamine-chondroitin-quercetin glucoside on the synovial fluid properties in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2009 Feb;73(2):288-92. doi: 10.1271/bbb.80418. Epub 2009 Feb 7. PMID: 19202302. ↩︎