With one in four American adults suffering from joint pain (and over 70% of elderly people) and professional athletes in all kind of sports advertising relief-promising supplements of all kind, we're here to help you not only find the best nutritional supplements to alleviate your arthritis pain and get you back on track but also lifestyle changes you might implement to prevent or cure chronic joint pain and inflammation in general.

First and foremost, it's important to note that supplements alone won't solve your joint pain problems. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and avoiding high-impact activities are also crucial for improving joint health. However, certain supplementscan definitely help to reduce inflammation and support joint health. Still, we strongly advice to implement necessary changes in your daily routine before grabbing any medication or supplements or at least combine both into a holistic joint health supplements strategy.

Treating joint pain without swallowing pills

Before we jump into joint supplements there are some things you should do first, and that depends on what type of joint pain you're dealing with. The first thing we need to do is identify what type of joint pain we're talking about. For example, if you've just had a new injury, make sure to rest the affected joint and give it a break from any strenuous activity. This will help reduce inflammation and give your joint a chance to heal. Next, try applying either a cold or warm compress to the affected joint swelling or area. Depending on your personal preference and the type of joint pain you're experiencing, one of these options might work better for you. Cold compresses can help reduce swelling and inflammation while reducing pain, while warm compresses can help improve blood flow and promote relaxation. That's the first aid you look for when bailing skateboarding, getting tapped in a grappling tournament etc.

However, if the joint pain is a long term issue, and is currently stiff, resting it more isn't really going to do you much good, so you're going to need to start with simple mobility exercises to get things moving again. Some good examples can befound here on the UK National Health Services website.

Lifestyle changes and habits that support joint health

If you eat right, you sleep right. That doesn't only mean not eating too heavy before bed but also reducing inflammation over the long run. Therefore,consider following an anti-inflammatory diet! This includes the usual suspects when it comes to healthy dieting: Vegetables and fruits especially! By focusing on nutrient-dense, whole foods, you can help promote joint health. Getting enough sleep is another key factor in reducing inflammation. When you're well-rested, your body has a better chance to repair itself and reduce inflammation naturally. Enough deep sleep hours also dramatically can reduce inflammation and your stress levels!

Stress again can be a major contributor to inflammation. To combat this, try practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. These practices can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm, which helps you fall asleep instantly! Another factor to consider is smoking and alcohol consumption. Both of these habits can increase inflammation in the body, not only directly but also by affecting your sleep negatively.

Finally, don't forget to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts extra pressure on the joints, which can exacerbate your other chronic pain too. By staying active and eating a healthy diet, you're doing your body a big favor and helping to relieve joint pain and ease your joint discomfort. Don't forget to drink enough water to flush out toxins from your body and stay hydrated throughout the day!

Creams before pills

Before throwing pills down your throat to treat joint pain, attack the problem from the outside first! Try using topical creams and ointments to helpalleviate joint pain and reduce inflammation. These can be applied directly to the joint and can provide fast relief. If you need a little extra help treating severe joint pain, consider working with a physical therapist. They can help you with arthritis symptoms and improve joint mobility, strength, and range of motion through targeted exercises and stretches.

If you're still feeling some discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can be a game-changer to relieve pain too. These medications can help alleviate joint pain and reduce inflammation, making it easier to go about your day without discomfort. However, it shouldn't be a long term alternative to healthier supplements since all medication comes with downsides attached the longer you rely on it.

If you want to prevent problems with your joints to occur in the future, it's time to consider including joint-beneficial ingredients into your diet or directly taking a supplement that includes many of these substances in a few pills every day.

The most important ingredients in joint supplements

Before talking brands, let's first have a look at some of their most powerful ingredients and how they contribute towards flexible, healthy joints!

Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most commonly used supplements for reducing joint pain. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance that helps to build and repair cartilage, while chondroitin is a component of cartilage that provides cushioning and shock absorption. Together, they work to reduce joint pain and improve joint function. While the evidence for their effectiveness is mixed, many people have reported positive results. Another known joint booster to consider is omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil and other sources. Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory and can help to reduce joint pain and stiffness. They also have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease.

Turmeric has gained popularity in recent years for its anti-inflammatory properties. It contains a compound called curcumin, which has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in people with arthritis.

This also goes for ginger which is a root that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various ailments, including treating joint pain too. It contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds can help reduce inflammation and joint pain. Ginger can be consumed as a tea or added to dishes as a spice.

Another herbal extract is called boswellia and is derived from the Boswellia serrata tree. It contains compounds called boswellic acids, which can reduce inflammation and pain. Studies suggest it may be effective at relieving pain and improving mobility in people with osteoarthritis.

Many peoples first choice is a natural supplement that pretty much everyone in the western world should supplement daily anyways: Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient that plays a vital role in bone health. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a potential natural remedy for joint pain. Studies have shown that Vitamin D may help reduce disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, it's important to note that excessive doses of Vitamin D can be harmful, so stick to the recommended doses on the packaging. Furthermore, the debate on Vitamin D for joint health is still going on and there's recent studies finding it little beneficial.

Already available in most households, green tea is a popular beverage that has been consumed for centuries in many cultures and during the last 20 years became very prominent in Western countries to the point where it's the most consumed tea in many. It contains polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds can help reduce inflammation and protect the body against damage caused by free radicals. Drinking green tea regularly can be a simple and effective way to reduce joint pain.

Supplements for joint health

Though not always the best way to get these and other beneficial substances into your system (bio-availability of most will be optimized by sticking to natural food) but definitely the easier way to stick to your daily dosage without skipping servings due to "no time" or whatever excuse pops your head when its time to get dirty in the kitchen preparing smoothies and Co. is simply buying a commercial supplement for joint pain that often contains dozens of helpful ingredients at more or less the perfect doses.

One thing important to mention here before I'm naming any brand names: I tried three different joint supplements, all manufactured by different producers, but I'm still naming five here because you might be way older than me or lead a very different lifestyle which indeed could mean what worked best for me won't be first choice for you. So be aware this rating is quite subjective and partly stems from real-hand experience with inflammation and chronic joint pain from MMA and Jiu-Jitsu tournaments for over ten years.

1. FlexAgain: Without doubt the best overall supplement for all kind of joint pain issues and for prophylaxis!It is the first one of three supplements me and my competition team tried for two months each and what can I say? It really made our joint pain go away and enabled us to enroll in some grappling tournaments we would have missed without it for sure! Getting arm-bard in a tournament never feels good but still being able to play the piano afterwards and recovering twice as fast thanks to FlexAgain makes it less painful for sure!

Even when it comes to their marketing, FlexAgain is refreshingly honest and open. Unlike other brands, they do not claim to have a magical pill or even a truly unique blend. On their homepage they only provide the facts about their formula, and what it contains and why. And their strategy makes perfect sense: The supplement is designed to provide as many effective ingredients as possible to increase the chances of success. There is no filler in the product, and it is made up of 4 capsules per day.

FlexAgain
FlexAgain FlexAgain

FlexAgain includes Omega 3, Vit D, Vit K2, Ginger and Blue Galangal Extract, Bromelain, Curcumin extract, Resveratrol, Methylsulfonylmethane, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin. The product has been developed with the idea that "if science changes, so will the blend". This means the producer stays up-to-date with science and changes the formula according to state-of-the-art research in academics.
The creators of the product are the first users of it - at least that's what they state on their website. Honestly, there's not a lot in it that could seriously harm your health anyways, even in higher doses: The formula contains the recommended amount of Omega 3 and Vitamin D, which are essential for joint health. Anti-inflammatory properties include Ginger and Blue Galangal Extract (also support pain relief in OA patients), Bromelain and Curcumin extract, Resveratrol, Methylsulfonylmethane, Glucosamine and Chondroitin. All have been shown to be effective in combination for increasing joint health.

2. Relief Factor: Does exactly what its name suggests!Relief Factor has gained significant popularity in the US joint pain pill market due to its extensive marketing campaigns. Although the product is effective, its marketing claims tend to overstate its benefits. Relief Factor is a combination of turmeric, resveratrol, and omega-3 fatty acids and serves as a good all-in-one option for those seeking a simple supplement. However, we do not recommend taking the recommended two pills as the dosages of the ingredients in the formula are not optimized. Instead, taking three pills would be more beneficial, although it would increase the already high cost of the supplement.

The ingredients in Relief Factor are good, but there are some caveats. The ideal minimum dosage of omega-3 is 1100mg, while resveratrol should be dosed at 100mg. Turmeric supplements, when not in their refined curcumin form, should be around 1000mg or higher to be effective. However, the dosages in Relief Factor fall short, with only 900mg of omega-3, 70mg of resveratrol, and 667mg of turmeric, which is approximately two-thirds of the most studied dosages. This might not be enough for grown up men suffering from joint pain in most cases though ideal for some women and kids.

Relief Factor is best suited for those who want an all-in-one supplement for omega-3 and other joint health ingredients and can afford its cost. We rate Relief Factor as pretty good, but we must note that it lacks some additional ingredients and underdoses some of the key components. This decision was likely made to keep the formulation down to two capsules, which is more convenient for users. However, taking this approach does not result in the most effective formula. While the ingredients in Relief Factor are good, users should be aware that they may have to take a bit more and incur additional costs if they want to optimize their joint health.

3. Nordic Oils Omega: The king of fish oil supplements!Nordic Naturals Omega-3 is a quality supplement made from fish oil that exists of exactly that: Omega-3 fish oil and that's it. While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, it is reasonably priced and offers good value for its high potency and purity, although it's debatable whether the small difference in quality justifies paying up to 30% more. The lemon flavor is a nice touch that helps to mask the unpleasant taste of fish oil supplements, which many customers complained about still tasting and smelling like hours after the intake.

The high levels of DHA and EPA in Nordic Naturals Omega-3 make it a good option for those looking to maintain healthy joints, as well as those seeking overall health benefits such as improved mood, cognitive function, and brain development. While some customers have experienced issues with leaky capsules or an unpleasant taste (question here is: what else could they possibly add to fish oil to make it taste better?), these complaints are relatively rare. Overall, Nordic Naturals Omega-3 is a solid choice for anyone looking to supplement their diet with omega-3 essential fatty acids, not only but especially when suffering from joint related health issues.

4. Nuzena Joint Support: Best low budget alternative for people who can't take omegaNuzena Joint Support is definitely the best low budget option for anyone suffering from joint pain without having the necessary bucks to pay for high quality supplements. Considering the 35 Dollar price tag for a month of supply, we couldn't find too much to criticize when it comes to their formula. While we would have preferred more Glumoline, Glucosamine Hydrochloride over Glucosamine Sulfate, Nuzena still provides a good amount of Curcumin (from Turmeric) at 1200mg, which is on the higher side of effective dosages. Boswellia is also correctly dosed and works effectively as a natural anti-inflammatory.

The biggest missing factor here is Bromelain though as research suggests that it may help the body absorb nutrients and reduce swelling and pain by decreasing inflammation. It has also been examined for its potential to increase athletic performance by decreasing muscle soreness and improving flexibility. Overall, Nuzena Joint Support is a great value for those who are looking for an affordable joint supplement. While it may not be the best option for those who can afford a higher-priced supplement, it still provides effective joint pain relief at a reasonable price and for price-sensitive customers might even be worth trying before grabbing something higher quality.

What Else Can I Do: Sweating for joint health: Which sports should you do?

Though the less sporty readers will roll their eyes hearing it: Regular exercise is not only a proven way to reduce joint pain but probably the safest, too. By strengthening your muscles and joints, you can help reduce pain and increase flexibility. If you don't move enough, sooner or later, chances are you'll suffer from arthritis - a condition that affects the joints in the body, causing inflammation, stiffness, and pain. It can occur at any age, but it is more common among older adults. Professional athletes are not immune to arthritis and may experience joint pain due to overuse, injury, or aging. That being said, it's clearly not a good idea to move too much or lift to heavy, either.

Fortunately, there are exercises that can support your joint health with minor effort. One such exercise is swimming or water aerobics. Water provides buoyancy, which reduces impact on the joints, making it an ideal exercise for people with arthritis. Swimming and water aerobics also provide a cardiovascular workout that can help improve overall health. Another possible practice to support and heal your joints is yoga. Certain yoga poses can help increase flexibility, while also balance, breathing and countless mental aspects. Yoga is also a low-impact exercise that can be done by people of all ages and fitness levels and as you can do it from home or even your office room, there's little excuse not to implement it into your weekly if not daily routine.

Some examples of professional athletes who have suffered from arthritis at some point in their career include:

  • Tiger Woods: The professional golfer has undergone multiple surgeries to address knee and back pain, which are common among golfers due to the repetitive motion of swinging a club.
  • Serena Williams: The tennis star has been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that can cause joint pain and stiffness.
  • Michael Jordan: The basketball legend has undergone multiple surgeries for knee pain throughout his career.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6554716/

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003261.htm

https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-us/192/references

https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/ar2069