Arthritis supplements are an excellent way to naturally relieve the pain and inflammation of the wearing down of cartilage in joints.
Many supplements are on the market, but it can be hard to know which is right for you.
This blog post discusses some of the best supplements available today, including their benefits and side effects.
We also include a list of supplements with links so you can find out more information before buying them!
Supplements for arthritis include
Several natural products have been researched for arthritis. These include glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e, and curcumin. These can help relieve pain and stiffness.
Some of these remedies can help with arthritis. For example, the pain and swelling may go down, and the joints might become less stiff. These are some of the most popular supplements used to treat arthritis and how they work.
1. Boswellia
Osteoarthritis is a common inflammatory joint disease. Unfortunately, there is no appropriate treatment for it. Boswellia serrata was considered a drug that might be good for this condition because it seems to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties and can reduce pain.
In this analysis, data from people who were given Boswellia or its extract was collected. These people had osteoarthritis. The study looked at how many points they got on a chart for pain and stiffness and how it affects their lives.
Seven trials were done with 545 people to see if Boswellia and its extracts can help people with pain. Compared to the control group, Boswellia and its extract may be able to relieve pain.
[source: Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7368679/
2. Glucosamine and chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two common arthritis supplements. They are part of cartilage which is the substance that provides a cushion in the joints.
Many studies have researched these supplements. However, the research has been mixed because the trials used different designs, and the subjects were given different types of supplements.
A large study done by the National Institutes of Health called the GAIT trial compared glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, with an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to treat arthritis.
The glucosamine improved symptoms of pain and function. However, a 2016 international test found that the glucosamine and chondroitin combo is as effective as the NSAID celecoxib.
Glucosamine can help at reducing pain, stiffness, and swelling in knee OA.
Different studies have found different results on which form of the supplement is best. Some find glucosamine sulfate to be more effective. Some find that glucosamine hydrochloride is better. One study that compared the two forms went head to head. It showed they offered equivalent pain relief.
[source: Chondroitin for osteoarthritis]
3. Devil’s claw
Devil’s claw, also called harpagophytum, has a chemical called harpogoside. It has effects that help to reduce pain and inflammation.
Devil’s claw may help with joint pain from osteoarthritis. In one study, it worked as well as a drug called diacerein. But more studies are needed to make sure it is safe and effective for the condition.
[source: Harpagophytum procumbens in the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis]
4. Fish oil
The polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids in fish have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
A study in 2017 found that omega 3 supplements can help reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in people with arthritis. Omega 3s also protect against heart disease and dementia.
The omega-3s in plant-based sources such as flax and chia seeds are different from fish oil. Fish oil has long-chain omega 3s, so you should take at least 1g of EPA and DHA each day. You can also get these from an algae supplement if you are vegan.
[source: Marine Oil Supplements for Arthritis Pain]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5295086/
5. MSM Methylsulfonylmethane
MSM can help people who have joint pain. It is a common ingredient in supplements.
People with osteoarthritis had less pain and better function when they took MSM than when they took a placebo.
[source: Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of the knee]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3141601/
6. SAM-e
SAM-e is a natural product in the body. It helps to have less pain, makes your cartilage strong, and can also help if you have arthritis. In one study, people with arthritis were given SAM-e or ibuprofen, or celecoxib. They found that SAM-e works as well as the other drugs without their side effects.
SAM-e is useful for people who also have depression. It has a mild to moderate effect on depression, but it will take some time (around three weeks) before you see the full effects. The best dose of SAM-e is 1,200 mg per day.
[source: S-Adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC387830/
7. Turmeric (Curcumin)
Curcumin is a substance found in turmeric. It blocks an enzyme that causes inflammation. This substance is also found in drugs that can treat inflammation, like celecoxib.
More than 300 people with knee arthritis were studied. It is found that a 1,500 mg daily dose of curcumin extract is as effective as 1,200 mg per day of ibuprofen. Curcumin extract also relieves RA swelling and tenderness.
One downside to curcumin is that it is hard for the body to absorb. Some supplements come in an oil base, which can help absorption. Black pepper also helps absorption, but taking too much can be dangerous and may change how other medications work.
[source: Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin]
8. Vitamin K, D
Vitamin A, C, and E are antioxidants. They can help people with arthritis. But at this time, there is no proof that they make the pain go away or make it better. You can still eat these vitamins because they are healthy for you anyway.
Researchers found that people with more sun exposure and higher vitamin D levels had better knee cartilage than people who get less sun and have lower levels of vitamin D.
[source: Serum levels of vitamin D]
Vitamin D is good for your bones, and Vitamin K is good for your cartilage (and bone) structure. If you do not have enough of these vitamins in your body, supplements may help make it better, and the pain goes away.
People have been studying if vitamin K can prevent osteoarthritis. It looks like it could be effective, but more studies are needed. Make sure that you get enough vitamin K by eating the right foods or taking supplements.
[source: The Relationship between Vitamin K and Osteoarthritis]
How can you tell if you have arthritis?
| Symptom of Osteoarthritis | Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis | Symptoms of Infectious Arthritis |
|---|---|---|
| Stiffness when you wake up or after you’ve been sitting for a while | Joint pain | Chills |
| Tenderness — the area is sore when you touch it | Swelling | Joint Inflammation |
| Lack of movement — the joint won’t complete its full range of motion | Tenderness | Tenderness |
| Grating — you might feel things rubbing together inside the joint | Morning stiffness for at least half an hour | Sharp pain related to an infection or injury |
| Bone spurs — lumps of bone form around the joint | More than 1 joint affected, especially in your hands, feet, and wrists | |
| Same joints on both sides of the body are affected |
How much supplements to take for arthritis?
Supplements are generally safe when you take them as directed and under your doctor’s supervision. However, they can also interact with other medicines. For example, high-dose fish oil supplements can thin the blood and interact with anticoagulant medication such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Sometimes you can take too much of a vitamin. Vitamins are either water-soluble or fat-soluble. If you take too many water-soluble vitamins, your body will flush them out. But fat-soluble vitamins build up in your body and can be harmful if taken in large amounts, so make sure to ask your doctor how much is safe.
If you want to try supplements, use them as an extra. This will not replace your medications that are proven to help with arthritis.
Before you try any new supplement, always check with your doctor to ensure it is the best one for you. Make sure that you are not taking too much of it. Also, talk to your pharmacist about possible interactions with other medications.
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— Christian Tanobey
