By Joe Vitiello
We all get older. And achier. Living with joint pain is, well, a pain in the behind, or knees, or back, or – you get it. And though we’re stuck with the aging process, must we be stuck with the achy joints that accompany it? Well, we don’t think so, and that’s why we searched the web to find the best joint supplements most recommended by experts and listed them here for you. But we do have a bit of bad news, because if you’re someone that prefers to blame your aches and pains on the weather and not your age, we have some research that is going to rain on your parade.
Research shows that the feeling in your bones when rainy weather is on the way is more likely a simple coincidence and not proof of the old wives’ tale linking dreary conditions to achy joints. We know it’s hard to believe this, especially if you’re a person who “feels” the rain coming in your bones, but this study is no joke: Researchers from Harvard Medical School pored through data from 11 million primary care visits in the United States and cross-referenced them with weather statistics from thousands of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stations. The study found no relationship between rainfall and a prevalence of joint or back pain.
We’re pretty sure all of us have wanted to upgrade parts of our bodies at some point, and it turns out there’s data to back it up. A study reveals that seven in 10 people say they experience pain or discomfort during everyday activities. That’s according to a recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, which found that nearly 70 percent of Americans wish they could replace one of their body parts with a new one that works better. Surprisingly, joint pain seems to be affecting a younger generation. Millennials are actually more likely to cite pain during daily activities than baby boomers (76% vs. 59%), indicating that working remotely over the past two years may be a contributing factor.
If you weren’t feeling achy before, you may be now. But we’re not trying to be a pain, we want to alleviate your aches and pains, so below is our list of the top five best joint supplements, according to experts. Of course, we want to hear from you. Comment below and let us know which supplement keeps your joints greased up and functioning well!
The List: Best Supplements for Joint Health, According to Experts
These two supplements were far and away the most recommended on experts’ lists. And because they are so often found as a pair in joint supplements, we’ve decided to lump them together. This allows us to squeeze an extra supplement on this list, which we’re sure your joints will thank us for.
“Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most commonly used supplements for arthritis. They’re components of cartilage—the substance that cushions the joints,” writes Arthritis Foundation. Though they advise that “research on these supplements has been mixed, in part because studies have used varying designs and supplement types. A large National Institutes of Health study called the GAIT trial compared glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, with an NSAID and inactive treatment (placebo) in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Glucosamine improved symptoms like pain and function, but not much better than a placebo. Yet a 2016 international trial found the combination to be as effective as the NSAID celecoxib at reducing pain, stiffness and swelling in knee OA.”
MBG Health explains, “glucosamine and chondroitin are structural components of cartilage that our bodies produce naturally, but they can also be consumed in supplement form to provide extra cushioning in the joints. Taken together, they’ve been shown to significantly improve joint comfort and function and decrease stiffness over six months in clinical studies.”
“Glucosamine and Chondroitin are the most recommended options in the market and for a good reason. Both are already a natural part of your bones and joints, so they tend to relieve any stiffness, pain, or inflammation in the joints when supplied externally,” writes St. Paul Rheumatology.
Though there are mixed reviews on the effectiveness of these two supplements, it’s worth attempting them to see if they alleviate joint pain. As always, consult a medical professional before starting any supplement.
