By Previnex®
It can feel overwhelming trying to treat arthritis and ease some of the pain. From joint pain supplements to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), there are plenty of products with anti-inflammatory properties. Read along as we compare and contrast some of the most popular to help you make an informed decision.
An Introduction to Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is one of the leading causes of joint pain. There are several types of arthritis, such as:
- Osteoarthritis - this is the most common type, most often seen in older adults. It occurs when the cartilage around joints breaks down, causing bones to rub together.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - this is an autoimmune disease causing the immune system to attack joint tissue. Over time, this causes increased loss of joint function.
- Gout - this occurs most commonly in the big toe and is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals.
A few ways to remedy the joint pain that comes with arthritis are to:
- Stay active, particularly with low-impact exercises
- Use hot and cold therapies to mitigate joint stiffness and pain, improve overall mobility, and reduce inflammation
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet
- Take high-quality supplements such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Turmeric, and MSM (all covered below), and increase Vitamin D, C, and E intake.
What Is the Best Joint Supplement for Arthritis Symptoms?
There is a wide variety of joint health supplements on the market. However, there are three in particular that stand out when it comes to supporting arthritis and knee osteoarthritis: Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM.
Glucosamine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
While glucosamine is found naturally in the cartilage in your body, it is also available as a supplement. The primary role of glucosamine is to support the healthy development of articular cartilage. It is harvested from shellfish shells or synthetically made in a laboratory. The most common forms of glucosamine are glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine. It’s most commonly used to treat pain caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Chondroitin
Much like glucosamine, chondroitin is a molecule found in the cartilage throughout your body, and its primary role is to give your cartilage elasticity. It is primarily used to treat pain from osteoarthritis—particularly osteoarthritis of the knee—and can improve joint function and reduce swelling and stiffness. Most often and for the best results, chondroitin and glucosamine are taken together.
MSM
Scientifically called methylsulfonylmethane, MSM is a sulfur-rich supplement that can be used to support healthy bones and joints. Similarly to chondroitin, MSM is rendered most effective when used in combination with glucosamine. In one study, MSM was shown to improve knee conditions and systemic health conditions in healthy participants who experienced mild knee pain.
Scientific Evidence
In one combined analysis of 29 studies, it was shown that knee pain was reduced by taking glucosamine or chondroitin but not combining the two. In another critical review of studies surrounding the effectiveness of chondroitin for joint health, it was found that you should only use high-quality chondroitin sulfate products, and one of the most effective ways to reap the benefits of chondroitin is to pair it with glucosamine. There have been studies proving the effectiveness of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM together.
What Is the Strongest Anti-Inflammatory for Arthritis Joint Pain?
Anti-inflammatory supplements are effective and widely available, much like pharmaceutical medications. A few of the strongest supplements for joint pain, inflammation, and arthritis are turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids, and green tea extract.
Turmeric
It’s not just a spice to jazz up your dinner but is also a one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory dietary supplements. This is thanks to its main active component, curcumin. In a systematic review of 8 clinical trials, researchers found that there was evidence to suggest turmeric can help reduce joint pain and inflammation, especially in those suffering from osteoarthritis and other arthritis conditions. Curcumin has even been proven to be just as or more effective than certain NSAIDs like ibuprofen or diclofenac. Additionally, research has found that curcumin may be a safe, long-term treatment option specifically for those with osteoarthritis.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These are healthy fats that can be gained both from your diet and from supplements (our bodies do not produce them on their own). In your diet, omega-3 fatty acids are found in high-quality fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, and sardines. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids:
- EPA - found in fish
- DHA - found in fish
- ALA - found in plans
EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are most helpful in treating joint pain and arthritis. Since our bodies are not able to produce all the necessary omega-3 fatty acids, it’s imperative to eat omega-rich foods or take a high-quality omega-3 supplement. One study on the effect of Omega-3 fatty acids on rheumatoid arthritis found that omega-3s may aid in disease activity, helping to mitigate the autoimmune response.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea is non-oxidized and contains potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties that can help alleviate pain progression and physical dysfunction, especially in those with osteoarthritis and sarcopenia. While more research is needed to determine the benefits of green tea extract on the joints, it is trending in a positive direction that green tea extract is shown to be helpful in supporting joint health.
What Is Better for Arthritis: Glucosamine or Fish Oil?
Glucosamine and fish oil are both powerful supplements when it comes to supporting joint health. But is one a better natural supplement for arthritis?
As we’ve already dug into, glucosamine is found naturally in your body and is available as a supplement to help support repairing and building healthy cartilage. In supplement form, it can help alleviate the pain of some joint health conditions, like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil, on the other hand, is naturally an anti-inflammatory and can help improve joint function. The difference really comes down to what each supplement is used for—glucosamine for preventing cartilage breakdown and fish oil for reducing inflammation.
Pros and Cons
Glucosamine Pros
- Occurs naturally in the body
- Helps build and protect cartilage
Glucosamine Cons
While glucosamine is deemed safe, there are possible side effects that can occur depending on other medical conditions, medications, etc.:
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Allergic reaction (to those with shellfish allergies)
Also, given that glucosamine is derived from shellfish, trusting the source can be an issue.
Fish Oil Pros
- Lowered cholesterol and triglycerides
- Anti-inflammatory
- It may increase bone mineral density
Fish Oil Cons
Much like glucosamine, fish oil is deemed to be safe, but some mild side effects may include:
- A fishy aftertaste
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Rash
Like sourcing glucosamine, the source and species of fish used in manufacturing fish oil can vary. It’s best to look for anchovy, sardine, and mackerel species sourced in the wild.
Clinical Studies
In one study of 23 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, it was found that both swollen joint count and tender joint count decreased. For glucosamine, a multinational study done in 2016 called the MOVES trial found that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements is as effective at relieving osteoarthritis of the knee as celecoxib (an NSAID) without any side effects! All this to say, clinical research has and is continuing to emerge, proving the benefits of fish oil and glucosamine for overall joint health.
What Are the Best Things to Take for Arthritis?
In addition to supplements like fish oil and glucosamine, there are three vitamins for joint pain and stiffness that can help support your overall joint health: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help support your immune system and fight molecules that cause joint inflammation. It also serves as a cofactor in collagen, which makes up 30% of your body’s protein and is the primary building block of skin, muscles, bones, tendons, and all other connective tissue in your body. Vitamin C plays a role in fighting infection that leads to inflammation, and in one small study, Vitamin C was found to reduce overall levels of inflammatory markers. Vitamin C can be found in supplement form, but there are also many foods rich in vitamin C, such as acerola cherries, chili peppers, guavas, sweet yellow peppers, black currants, cantaloupe, kale, kiwis, broccoli, lemons, brussel sprouts, strawberries, and oranges.
Vitamin D
Since Vitamin D helps to regulate calcium in the body, being deficient or lacking in the vitamin can cause muscle and joint pain, including rheumatoid arthritis. In one review of studies, it was proven that people with rheumatoid arthritis were more deficient in Vitamin D than those without rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D is most recommended for those who have rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions to help alleviate joint pain. You can increase Vitamin D intake by taking a high-quality supplement, getting more sunshine, and eating foods fortified with Vitamin D, such as milk, some yogurt, etc.
Vitamin E
As a group of eight fat-soluble compounds, Vitamin E is one of the fat soluble vitamins most known for its antioxidant effects, protecting your cells from damage. It also supports your immune system and your body at the cellular level. In a meta-analysis of nine publications, it was found that Vitamin E was effective in treating sensitive joints, joint discomfort, and stiffness in those with rheumatoid arthritis. It also found that Vitamin E has the ability to restore the intestinal barrier and improve the gastrointestinal tract, which can actually be linked to the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. You can get Vitamin E from a high-quality supplement or in plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables—things like sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, pumpkin, red bell pepper, mangoes, and avocados.
If taking vitamin E in supplement form, look for d-alpha tocopherol (natural vitamin E) instead of dl-alpha tocopherol (synthetic vitamin E).
Conclusion On Supplements And Arthritis Pain
When it comes to managing your arthritis, it’s important to support your body with supplements specifically designed for joint health. Adding things like glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and Vitamins C, D, and E can help mitigate and decrease the inflammation and pain you feel from arthritis and other joint pain conditions. The diet also plays a big role in managing inflammation and pain relief in the body! As always, consult your healthcare professional before you add anything to your healthcare regimen to mitigate the risk of interaction, and make sure to look into the ingredients in your supplements to ensure they’re thoughtfully derived from a high-quality source.
If you’re looking for a joint health supplement that combines high-quality ingredients that are clinically proven to protect and improve joint pain, check out Joint Health PLUS®. It combines NEM® (natural eggshell membrane, which has naturally occurring glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid) and Boswellin®, which can help reduce joint pain and stiffness and improve flexibility in 7-10 days. Additionally, NEM® is clinically proven to be 5x more beneficial than glucosamine and chondroitin alone or in combination. Boswellin® is a powerful, completely natural, and clinically proven anti-inflammatory! If you’re ready to experience relief from joint pain, add Joint Health PLUS® to your supplement regimen today.
