Unveiling the Benefits of Joint Supplements for Bone Health

Our bones and joints are the secret heroes of every step and movement.

While keeping your bones healthy is crucial at any age, it is especially important as you get older, when the risk of bone and joint problems increases.

Joint supplements are not only pain relievers. They also support your overall bone health. How exactly they do this, I explain in this Supplements in Review article.

Read on to discover how joint supplements can bolster your bone strength, joint function, and help you move free.

1. They Increase Bone Density

Vitamin D receptors are found in almost all cells in your body. Vitamin D, also known as “sunshine” nutrient, is actually a secosteroid hormone that regulates many health processes. It’s essential for strong immune system and for regulating inflammation in your body, which affects your bones and joints, too.

Vitamin D boost bone health primarily by increasing calcium absorption from food and supplements. It works together with calcium, vitamin K2, and other nutrients to inhibit bone loss and osteoporosis. Vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory effects also help to protect your bones and joints from degradation over time.¹

2. They Help to Develop and Renew Cartilage

Cartilage is a spongy tissue found on your bones. It naturally helps with smooth movement of two bones, preventing friction and pain. However, our cartilage can wear down as we age, which can start to impact your bones.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are two naturally occurring substances found in your cartilage. They are often supplemented for their purported ability to enhance, hydrate, and repair cartilage, thus reducing the friction between your bones. This is in addition to their pain-relieving properties.² They are however not yet proven to work.

Benefits of joint supplements such as these two are not fully confirmed in human studies yet, but their safety and affordable prices make them a popular option among people who want to maximize their joint and bone health.

3. They May Lower Risk of Hip Fractures

Some joint supplements, such as fish oil contain EPA and DPA molecules, also known as omega-3s, which are important for bone metabolism.

Studies show that EPA and DHA supplementation may lead to increased bone mineral density, reduced risk of hip fracture, and positively affect bone turnover markers in humans.³

4. They May Slow Down Osteoporosis Progression

Curcumin is a compound extracted from the Indian spice turmeric; it is commonly found in joint supplements due to its potent benefits, including:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-cancer
• Anti-inflammatory

Research suggests that curcumin may maintain bone health and strength in various osteoporosis contexts. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to protect from wear and tear of your bones.⁴

5. They Provide Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Another commonly used joint supplement ingredient that can benefit your bone health is MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). This naturally occuring sulfur compound is crucial for making collagen which plays a part in maintaining the structure and integrity of your bones and joints.

MSM also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that contribute to the overall health of your musculoskeletal system.⁵

6. They May Promote Bone Growth and Overall Bone & Joint Health

Another commonly used joint supplement ingredient that may benefit your bone health is hyaluronic acid. This ingredient is a vital part of your synovial fluid, which is found in joints and is used for lubrication and hydration, among other vital functions.

Properly hydrated joints are important for reducing friction between bones when moving, helping to prevent wear and tear. In addition, hyaluronic acid is suggested to promote the growth of new cells and tissues important for cartilage and bones.^{6 7}

Hyaluronic acid also may reduce joint inflammation and pain from injury or tissue breakdown.

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
• Strengthening Joints With Natural Supplements
• Understanding the Benefits of Supplements for Joint Inflammation

References

1. Laird E, Ward M, McSorley E, Strain JJ, Wallace J. Vitamin D and bone health: potential mechanisms. Nutrients. 2010 Jul;2(7):693-724. doi: 10.3390/nu2070693. Epub 2010 Jul 5. PMID: 22254049; PMCID: PMC3257679. ↩︎
2. 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. ↩︎
3. Dou Y, Wang Y, Chen Z, Yu X, Ma D. Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on bone health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food Sci Nutr. 2021 Nov 29;10(1):145-154. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.2655. PMID: 35035917; PMCID: PMC8751426. ↩︎
4. Yang S, Sun Y, Kapilevich L, Zhang X, Huang Y. Protective effects of curcumin against osteoporosis and its molecular mechanisms: a recent review in preclinical trials. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Sep 18;14:1249418. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1249418. PMID: 37790808; PMCID: PMC10544586. ↩︎
5. https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/msm/ ↩︎
6. Hwang HS, Lee CS. Recent Progress in Hyaluronic-Acid-Based Hydrogels for Bone Tissue Engineering. Gels. 2023 Jul 21;9(7):588. doi: 10.3390/gels9070588. PMID: 37504467; PMCID: PMC10379028. ↩︎
7. Stancíková M, Svík K, Istok R, Rovenský J, Velebný V. The effects of hyaluronan on bone resorption and bone mineral density in a rat model of estrogen deficiency-induced osteopenia. Int J Tissue React. 2004;26(1-2):9-16. PMID: 15573687. ↩︎