Turmeric Vs. Glucosamine for Joint Pain

Turmeric and glucosamine are two of the most common ingredients/supplements to help support joint pain. When it comes to choosing a joint health supplement, it’s important to know how stand-alone supplemental ingredients like turmeric and glucosamine can help.

Is Turmeric Better than Glucosamine for Joints?

While turmeric and glucosamine are two of the best ingredients to support your joints and are often included in vitamins for joint pain and stiffness, it’s important to look at both and see which may be the most effective.

What Are The Benefits of Turmeric for Joints?

Turmeric is most commonly known as a spice, comes from Curcuma longa, is part of the ginger family, and is common in Indian food. The main active component in turmeric is curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. In one systematic review of eight clinical trials, it was concluded that there is evidence to suggest turmeric can help reduce joint pain and inflammation in those with joint health issues (such as osteoarthritis). The authors concluded that it is most effective when taken every day for 8-12 weeks and that curcumin extracts might even be as effective as taking certain NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, aspirin.

At the base level—and thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties—curcumin has been shown to benefit inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, pain, and kidneys. Given these properties, one review concludes that curcumin may be a safe and long-term treatment option for people with osteoarthritis. Another clinical trial studied the effects of curcumin on patients suffering specifically from osteoarthritis of the knee. This study found that the group taking a 40mg capsule of nano curcumin every 12 hours experienced a significant decrease in pain and stiffness after six weeks.

When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, one study compared a group of patients taking diclofenac (NSAID) to a group taking 500mg of curcumin. The curcumin group saw significant improvements in joint tenderness and swelling, whereas the other group(s) showed less improvement.

What Are The Benefits of Glucosamine For Joints?

Glucosamine is a natural chemical compound found in the cartilage of your body, but it can also be found in supplement form (when it’s harvested from the shells of shellfish or made in a lab—if you have a shellfish allergy, it’s important to check the source of the compound, and may be best to choose a vegan supplement). Glucosamine sulfate may provide pain relief, specifically for those with osteoarthritis of the knee, so much so that it’s available as a medicinal substance (not a supplement) in the UK and other parts of Europe! Additionally, some research suggests that glucosamine hydrochloride might reduce pain in those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Studies show that regular consumption of glucosamine supplements leads to reduced levels of inflammation, which can also lower your risk of some chronic conditions. Additionally, early studies suggest that glucosamine can help slow or even prevent the progression of osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) in postmenopausal women.

Since glucosamine already exists in the cartilage in your body, one of its main roles is to support the healthy development of articular cartilage—the type of cartilage that covers your bones where they meet to form joints. Articular cartilage also minimizes the amount of friction, allowing your bones to move properly. Additionally, glucosamine also promotes the creation of chemicals in your body, such as collagen.

Can I Take Turmeric and Glucosamine at the Same Time for Joint Pain?

Ultimately, both turmeric and glucosamine are helpful and effective when it comes to supporting joint health! But you may be wondering: can I take glucosamine and turmeric together? Is it SAFE to take glucosamine and turmeric together?

The short answer is yes! Turmeric and glucosamine pair quite well together. These two supplements work synergistically with one another, meaning their combined power and impact are greater and more beneficial than each one alone. Turmeric is powerful as an anti-inflammatory, and glucosamine/chondroitin acts as biological signals to stimulate your joints as they repair.

It’s important to note that while these two supplements tend to work well together, some supplements can interact with one another in a harmful way. When it comes to taking these supplements together, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider. He or she will be able to provide the most comprehensive recommendations for doses, etc.

What Is the Best Supplement for Painful Joints?

While turmeric and glucosamine are two of the most popular joint health supplements, there are many other supplements and vitamins for joint pain and stiffness. Here are some of the most popular choices for promoting joint health and dealing with chronic joint pain:

Previnex Joint Health PLUS®

Previnex Joint Health PLUS® is a clinically effective, high-quality joint health supplement. It combines Boswellin® and NEM® (natural eggshell membrane). NEM® consists of naturally occurring glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid and is clinically proven to reduce joint pain, reduce joint stiffness, and improve joint flexibility in 7-10 days. Boswellin® is a clinically studied form of Boswellia serratta, which acts as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory.

THORNE Joint Support Nutrients

THORNE Joint Support Nutrients uses a combination of glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Meriva®, and other nutrients and botanicals to help support joint integrity and mobility. It is a comprehensive joint support formula that supplies 1,500mg of glucosamine sulfate as well as curcumin.

Nature Made Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex with MSM

This supplement is popularly known as Triple Flex® plus D3. It contains 1,500mg of glucosamine, 800mg of chondroitin, and 750mg of MSM. It also includes 50mcg (2000 IU) of Vitamin D3 to support your bones and muscles.

DEVA™ Vegan Glucosamine

This is a great option for those of you with a shellfish allergy. DEVA™ vegan glucosamine is derived from corn, and all other ingredients are derived from non-animal sources. This supplement provides 1,500mg of Glucosamine HCL.

Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme® Joint Health

This is a concentrated, full-spectrum formula of turmeric, containing all compounds found in a whole turmeric root—it uses turmerones and polysaccharides in addition to the curcuminoids. Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme® also uses black pepper and lecithin to help your body absorb the beneficial properties. Additionally, it uses devil’s claw, boswellia, ginger root, and quercetin.

Effectiveness of Turmeric

Thanks to curcumin, turmeric has significant anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it has been proven more effective than leading NSAIDs like ibuprofen. In a review of 10 studies, it was concluded that—at least in those struggling with osteoarthritis of the knee—turmeric was shown to improve both pain and joint function. In the studies that compared the use of turmeric to a placebo group, in using turmeric, there was an improvement in outcome scores and a significant reduction in rescue therapy usage (i.e., using acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other pain relievers).

Effectiveness of Glucosamine

Two notable studies have been published on the effectiveness of glucosamine (and chondroitin): the GAIT trial and the MOVES trial. The MOVES trial, in particular, compared the use of glucosamine to the use of the NSAID celecoxib in patients with significant knee osteoarthritis. Ultimately, it found that using a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin was comparably effective with celecoxib—without any side effects—proving glucosamine to be effective in supporting joint health.

Combined Supplements: Glucosamine and Turmeric Blends

Since glucosamine and turmeric work synergistically, it may be beneficial to take them together or even to take a blend. A few of the top-rated glucosamine-turmeric blends are:

The most important thing to remember when it comes to combining glucosamine and turmeric is to consult your healthcare provider to go over any and all supplements currently in your health regimen. Some supplements, vitamins, and herbs can negatively interact with one another, so just ensure you’re doing what’s best for your health!

What Is Better than Glucosamine for Joints?

While glucosamine is beneficial for joint health, there are other supplements and vitamins to take in combination with or in addition to glucosamine.

Benefits of Chondroitin

Much like glucosamine, chondroitin is a naturally occurring molecule in the body, particularly in cartilage. It helps keep cartilage healthy by absorbing water and other fluids into the connective tissue around your joints. It also provides building blocks for your body to create new cartilage and can block any enzymes that break down cartilage. In a 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. Ultimately, research on whether or not chondroitin is effective on its own is still ongoing.

Other Vitamins and Minerals

When it comes to supporting your joint health, there are many vitamins and minerals you can glean from diet and lifestyle in addition to supplementation:

Vitamin D - This helps increase your body’s bone mass, prevent bone loss, and help your body absorb calcium (which keeps your bones strong).
Vitamin K - This helps activate proteins in the body that prevent your bones from weakening.
Calcium - This strengthens and hardens your bones, and as long as your diet is balanced, you should be able to get all the calcium you need through your food!

Conclusion

The best ways to support your joint health are to:

Take a high-quality joint health supplement.
Add turmeric and glucosamine chondroitin to your vitamin and supplement regimen.
Eat a balanced diet!

As we’ve previously mentioned, it’s imperative to connect with your healthcare provider to ensure you are doing what’s best for your body and decreasing the risk of supplements interacting with one another and thus doing more harm than good. Supplements are not a one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s beneficial to have an individualized treatment plan when it comes to supplements for arthritis and joint pain.

As you look for additional ways to support joint health or manage inflammatory joint pain, grab a bottle of Joint Health PLUS®! It’s rich in key nutrients that your joints need to be happy and healthy.

Which Is Better For Joint Pain: Turmeric Or Glucosamine?