Do Any Joint Supplements Really Work?
As you get older, joint pain and stiffness become more common. This is due to the natural wear and tear that our joints suffer over the years. While there are many treatments available, such as physical therapy, medications, or even surgery, some people opt to try joint supplements as a way of managing their pain.
However, there are new supplements that come out every year that claim to help with joint health. There is skepticism around how effective these supplements really are, whether they can actually help reduce joint pain.
In this blog post, we will go over the joint supplements that actually have scientific evidence to back up their claims.
Individual Supplements That Are Actually Proven To Help
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in our bodies, functioning to provide cushioning and lubrication for our tissues, particularly the joints. However, individuals suffering from osteoarthritis experience a decrease in hyaluronic acid levels. This reduction causes a lack of cushioning and lubrication between the joints, leading to discomfort and pain.
Glucosamine
When you age, the levels of support your cartilage offers your bones and joints dwindles. Taking glucosamine on a regular basis may help counteract this effect and improve joint health. Not only could glucosamine help stall the deterioration of the cartilage, but it may also help rebuild some of the lost cartilage.
MSM
As we age, our bodies are also more prone to inflammation. Whether it's from the weather, an injury or exercise, inflammation can worsen joint pain. MSM also known as Methylsulfonylmethane helps reduce that inflammation to give relief from joint pain and stiffness.
Chondroitin
When it comes to chondroitin, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of your cartilage. This is achieved by its ability to absorb fluid, particularly water, into your connective tissue. Furthermore, chondroitin may have the potential to inhibit enzymes that cause cartilage breakdown.
Plus, it also provides your body with the necessary components to produce new cartilage. It's a comprehensive approach to supporting your cartilage health.
Collagen
Collagen has been another supplement that has been study in regards to joint health. In most studies, the studies have been more so positive than negative. Here's how. When you supplement with collagen can play a key role in maintaining the health of your cartilage and bones, which are crucial for joint function.
As you age, collagen levels decrease, potentially leading to joint disorders like osteoarthritis and bone conditions like osteoporosis. Collagen supplements can help manage these symptoms, reducing joint pain and slowing bone breakdown.
Moreover, collagen is important for muscle health. It can boost muscle mass, particularly in those experiencing age-related muscle loss, which in turn provides better support for your joints, enhancing overall joint health.
Antioxidant Supplementation
For your joint health, antioxidants can be real game-changers. They tackle free radicals - unstable molecules that can harm cells and tissues in your body, including those in your joints. By neutralizing these free radicals, antioxidants shield your joints from potential damage, contributing to overall joint health.
What Is The Best Overall Joint Supplement?
Individually shopping for all of these joint health supplements and getting the best ones could be a hassle. So, if you want to simplify your process, there are joint support supplements that contain all of the above ingredients. The best one being Joint Vibrance. Let's dive into why.
Ingredients Are Sourced Properly and Third Party Tested
At Vibrant Health, we take pride in getting the very best ingredients into our supplements. We do this by using a very intense process to source ingredients, and then third party testing those ingredients in order to ensure quality.
No Proprietary Blends
When looking for supplements, you want to make sure they don't contain proprietary blends. This means that the full list of ingredients and dosages is not revealed, so you don't know how much of each ingredient you are getting. At Vibrant Health, we want to make sure our customers get exactly what they pay for, so all of our supplements contain the exact amount of each ingredient listed.
Contains All The Ingredients We Discussed Above
As you could see above, Joint Vibrance contains all of the supplements we mentioned above. However, within the ingredient list they are worded slightly differently. Let's go over the ingredients.
Cartilage Builders
Type 1 (bovine) Hydrolyzed Collagen (8,600 mg): This form of collagen, derived from cows, is a key component in the makeup of your joints and tendons. It plays a significant role in maintaining the structure and strength of these tissues. By supplementing with Type 1 collagen, you're supporting your body's natural ability to repair and renew these vital structures.
Type 2 (avian) Hydrolyzed Collagen (2,000 mg): Type 2 collagen, sourced from poultry, is primarily found in your cartilage, the protective layer in your joints. Supplementing with Type 2 collagen helps maintain cartilage health, which is vital for smooth and pain-free joint movement.
Glucosamine Hydrochloride 98% (1,500 mg): Another name for Glucosamine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride is a natural compound found in cartilage.
Chondroitin Sulfate A 90% (bovine) (1,000 mg): Also discussed above, Chondroitin is a significant component of cartilage. It cooperates with the 1500 mg of glucosamine in maintaining joint health, and with 1,000 mg of it in our supplement,
it is extremely effective in aiding your cartilage in retaining water, sustaining its elasticity, and contributing to overall joint comfort and mobility.
Antioxidants/Flexibility Factors
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) Powder (1,000 mg): With MSM, a known inflammation and pain reducer, you could experience relief from joint stiffness. The 1,000 mg dosage in our supplement ensures you get the right amount to help lessen inflammation and enhance joint flexibility.
Calcium Fructoborate 2.5% Providing 3 mg Boron: This compound, providing boron, contributes to the overall health of your bones and joints. With this, you're taking a proactive step in maintaining the structural integrity of your joints and enhancing their flexibility.
Hyaluronic Acid 95% (120 mg): Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in your body, playing a significant role in cushioning your joints. With a potent 95% concentration, this supplement can help replenish levels in your body, ensuring your joints remain well-lubricated and flexible.
ApresFlex® Boswellia Serrata Ext. (100 mg): This extract from the Boswellia serrata tree has been used for centuries for its anti-inflammatory properties. In our supplement, it works to reduce joint inflammation and pain, promoting increased joint flexibility.
Bromelain 2400 GDU/g (from Pineapple Stem) (100 mg): Extracted from pineapple
stems, Bromelain is known to aid in reducing inflammation and swelling, particularly in the joints. This supplement can further enhance joint flexibility and comfort.
Turmeric Curcuma Longa Rhizome Ext. (20% Curcuminoids) (CurcuWIN™M) (100 mg): With its high curcuminoid content, this Turmeric extract is an effective anti-inflammatory. It helps reduce joint inflammation, promoting better mobility and flexibility.
Grape Seed 95% Polyphenols/40% OPCs Standardized Extract (25 mg): Packed with antioxidants, this Grape Seed extract works to combat free radicals that may harm your joint tissues. This protective action supports your overall joint health and flexibility.
Silica (from Horsetail Stem Extract) (3 mg): Silica, sourced from Horsetail Stem Extract, is vital for the health of your connective tissues, including those in your joints. By supplementing with Silica, you're supporting the strength and flexibility of these crucial tissues.
Are There Any Methods That Help Increase Joint Health Naturally As Well?
Supplements could help a ton, but you could also put in the work in other aspects as well. Below we will go over a few methods you could utilize to further the supplementation.
Maintain A Healthy Weight To Reduce Stress On Joints
The first thing you could do is try and get your weight down to a healthy level. By reducing your overall weight, you are taking stress off of your joints and also keeping away excess body fat that could cause inflammation.
This is easier said than done because of the fact that joint pain makes it hard to exercise. Luckily for you, just eating a diet with a calorie deficit could help you get to a healthier weight.
Stretching & Exercise To Increase Joint Flexibility
If you could manage light exercise, you should definitely go for it. Doing things like riding a stationary bike, doing yoga, and simply walking are a good start. It may be hard at first, but it will get easier with time as you build more muscle and your joints strengthen.
Doing different kinds of stretches will also help alleviate some of the pain and stiffness you may be feeling.
Eating a Non-Inflammatory Diet
Inflammation and joint pain can be likened to a "rusty hinge on a gate." Just as a rusty hinge can make a gate difficult to open and close, causing it to creak and groan with every movement, inflammation causes joints to become stiff and painful, impeding their normal function.
An anti-inflammatory diet could help lessen the inflammation, which in return could help reduce some of the pain and stiffness you are experiencing. Here are some things you could eat that are considered anti-inflammatory:
- Berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries)
- Fatty Fish (like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines)
- Broccoli
- Avocados
- Green Tea
- Peppers (bell and chili peppers)
- & More
Stay Hydrated
When it comes to our bodies, men contain 60% water and women around 55%. This means if we're not staying hydrated our bodies will pay for it. This is true specifically when it comes to joints.
Staying hydrated keeps your joints lubricated and ready to move. When you are low on water, your joints become dry and stiff causing pain to remain or worsen.
Get Sleep
Similarly to water, sleep is important for almost every aspect of the body. When you get good sleep it allows your body to recover. If you're doing all the right things for your joints, if you pair it with good sleep, you will be able to maximize the effects.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you figure out which supplement are effective when it comes to joint health.
If you're interested in our all in one joint health supplement (Joint Vibrance), click here to check it out.
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