By Previnex®
Aging is one of the leading causes of joint health conditions and joint pain. As we get older, arthritis symptoms can begin and even worsen. So, as you age, it’s important to properly support your joints, particularly through low-impact exercise, diet, and joint health supplements.
What Is the Best Joint Health Supplement for the Elderly?
The best joint health supplement may vary depending on what conditions or symptoms you are trying to relieve. Among older adults, the most common joint health condition is osteoarthritis, which causes the cartilage in joints to break down over time. The most common types are hand, hip, neck, back, and knee osteoarthritis. So, if you are hoping to relieve arthritis pain, here are some things to consider when choosing a supplement as a senior:
- Specific ingredients that support joint health like glucosamine, chondroitin supplements, MSM, and NEM®
- Potential interactions with any existing medications
- Dosage
- Whether or not the supplement is third-party tested
Popular Ingredients in Joint Health Supplements
Research suggests some key ingredients to look for in joint health supplements are glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, NEM®, collagen, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Glucosamine is a naturally occurring chemical found in your cartilage, and it can also be found in supplement form from shellfish.
- Chondroitin sulfate is also a molecule found in your cartilage, and its primary function is to give and maintain the elasticity in your cartilage.
- MSM—methylsulfonylmethane—is most effective when used in combination with glucosamine and is shown to improve knee conditions.
- NEM® stands for natural eggshell membrane. It is the clinically studied version of the eggshell membrane. It is proven to be 5x more effective than glucosamine and chondroitin, reduces joint pain and stiffness, and improves flexibility.
- Collagen makes up 30% of your body’s protein and is the primary building block of your skin, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and all other connective tissues. As you age, your collagen production decreases and loses quality, so taking a collagen supplement can help strengthen it.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that can be gained only from eating fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) or supplements. These are key for reducing inflammation.
Is There a Joint Supplement that Actually Works?
If you are looking for joint pain relief, the good news is that many joint supplements can work! The ingredients we’ve already discussed are available as supplements, as well as ingredients that are present in supplement blends. One of the best supplements that has ingredients that have been clinically studied for pain and inflammation is Previnex Joint Health PLUS®. It blends NEM® and Boswellin®. Boswellin® is a clinically proven anti-inflammatory and pain reliever that supports your joints, and NEM® is clinically proven to reduce joint pain and stiffness and improve flexibility in as little as 7 days. It also protects cartilage from breakdown during exercise. One clinical trial on NEM® showed that 500mg of NEM® taken once daily significantly reduced joint pain both immediately—within 7 days—and continuously—over 30 days. This high-quality, third-party-tested supplement is great for supporting overall joint health!
What Is the Best Over-the-Counter Supplement for Joint Pain?
Joint health supplements that are available over the counter are glucosamine, chondroitin, curcumin/turmeric, MSM, fish oil/Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, collagen, and more!
When it comes to deciding which is best, most medical sources tip their hat to glucosamine as the best over-the-counter supplement for joint pain and joint health. It is recommended that glucosamine be paired with chondroitin for the best results, given that both glucosamine and chondroitin are components of cartilage. Glucosamine can help lubricate joints and prevent cartilage breakdown, and studies show that regular consumption of glucosamine can reduce inflammation levels and thus lower your risk of chronic conditions. Other studies suggest that glucosamine can slow or even prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Do Any Supplements Really Help With Joint Pain?
Some joint health supplements that help with pain are:
- Vitamin D - especially if you struggle with a Vitamin D deficiency, you may experience muscle and joint pain or even rheumatoid arthritis. Taking a Vitamin D supplement regulates calcium in the body! One study showed that seniors over the age of 50 who have Vitamin D deficiency were more likely to struggle with hip and knee joint pain.
- Omega-3 fatty acids - since these decrease inflammation, they can, in turn, decrease pain.
- Turmeric/Curcumin - this is another powerful anti-inflammatory, and one systematic review of eight clinical trials showed that there is evidence to suggest that turmeric reduces pain and inflammation in the case of joint health issues like osteoarthritis. Another study shows that curcumin may even be a beneficial long-term treatment option for those with osteoarthritis (which is the most common joint health issue in seniors).
Lifestyle Changes for Joint Pain
Two things that you can do to mitigate joint pain and improve joint health are to eat an anti-inflammatory diet and introduce low-impact exercise into your routine. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet means eating fatty fish, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts), healthy fats like avocados and olive oil, turmeric, and bone broth (which contains glucosamine and chondroitin). Low-impact exercises like biking, swimming, walking, yoga, Pilates, and strength training are great options! These help keep your body moving, keep your joints lubricated, and support healthy blood flow while reducing impact and strain on your joints.
Previnex: Dietary Supplements Created with Joint Pain in Mind
Finding a high-quality joint health supplement as a senior is important to keep your joints healthy longer! From decreasing joint stiffness and pain to improving cartilage strength, supporting your overall joint health is imperative, especially as a senior. Add a clinically effective, third-party tested supplement like Previnex Joint Health PLUS® to your health regimen! Grab your bottle today.
