Supplements and Herbs to Support Joint Health
Millions of Americans report joint concerns each year. Between 2010 and 2012, a staggering 52.5 million adults experienced joint issues, and those numbers are expected to continue rising.1 With so many people concerned about joint health, it isn’t surprising that joint care supplements are increasingly available.
Nourishing your joints may be one of the most important things you can do to stay flexible and mobile as you age to support healthy joints and active lifestyles. But with so many joint health supplements out there, how do you know which to choose?
Let’s review some of the most common joint-supporting nutrients and herbs, and the research behind how they work.
Learn more about how to support healthy bones and joints with Swanson's own in-house licensed nutritionist Britta Sather:
1. Glucosamine for Joint Health
Glucosamine is a compound that helps keep cartilage healthy. It’s one of the primary building blocks found in cartilage, and it plays a role in building tendons, ligaments and the thick synovial fluid that surrounds joints.2 Since cartilage is one of the primary structures that provide cushioning for your bones at the joints throughout your body, it makes sense that supporting the health of your cartilage is important for overall joint vitality.3
Glucosamine supplements are available in several forms, including glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetyl-glucosamine. Most clinical studies have focused on the sulfate form of glucosamine, which is typically formulated from shellfish. For people with shellfish allergies, glucosamine hydrochloride may be a better option, but be sure to read the product label to check ingredients and warnings before taking a glucosamine supplement if you have a shellfish allergy.
Glucosamine is often supplemented at 1,500 mg daily, 500 mg three times per day or 750 mg twice per day when combined with 500 mg of turmeric root twice daily. Learn more about how turmeric can contribute to joint health in Turmeric vs. Ginger for Joint Health. Always follow the instructions on your product labels.2
How Does Glucosamine Help Joints?
As we age, cartilage can weaken and break down, which may affect how joints function and feel.3 Clinical evidence has shown that certain glucosamine supplements may help slow the effects of aging on cartilage within our joints and support joint mobility and flexibility.2
According to the Mayo Clinic, enough evidence exists to encourage people who are concerned about joint health to consider trying a glucosamine supplement.4
Explore glucosamine benefits in-depth by reading Glucosamine Benefits for Joint Health & Beyond.
Glucosamine Supplements to Try
Swanson Premium Glucosamine Sulfate 2KC1
Take care of your joints every day with Swanson Glucosamine Sulfate. A compound derived from shellfish, glucosamine sulfate delivers key structural components for the shock-absorbing cartilage that cushions joints for comfortable movement.
Swanson Ultra Glucosamine – Shellfish Free
Swanson's vegetarian, shellfish-free glucosamine features glucosamine hydrochloride, a state-of-the-art formulation derived from corn. It’s the only supplemental glucosamine that comes from a non-shellfish source, which is an essential consideration for anyone with seafood allergies.
2. Chondroitin Supplements for Joints
Like glucosamine, chondroitin is a major building block of cartilage that naturally occurs in connective tissues throughout the body.5 It’s a critical component in the formation of cartilage, and since healthy cartilage is vital to joint health, nourishing the cartilage in our joints may help provide some comfort for aging joints.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are often taken together in a combination supplement for joint health, and the two substances play similar, vital roles in joint maintenance. Some experts say chondroitin may not be absorbed as efficiently by the body as glucosamine because chondroitin molecules are larger than glucosamine.6 While glucosamine is absorbed at 90-98% by the body, chondroitin is only absorbed at a rate of up to 13%, meaning less of it may reach cartilage cells.5
Regardless, chondroitin remains one of the most popular joint-supporting supplements, with around 20% of Americans taking this supplement annually.7
When combined with glucosamine, chondroitin is often supplemented at 400 mg, two to three times per day.2 When taken alone, some studies have used 1,200 to 1,800 mg of chondroitin once per day or divided that daily amount into two to three doses, but since the ideal dosage is unknown, always follow the directions on your product label.5
How Does Chondroitin Support Joints?
Like glucosamine, chondroitin is a building block of cartilage. Chondroitin is a water-loving molecule, and therefore helps draw fluid into the joints, supporting the cushioning qualities of cartilage. A clinical study of 800 mg daily of chondroitin sulfate supplementation found a significant reduction in cartilage loss.8
Chondroitin Supplements to Try
Swanson Premium Chondroitin Sulfate
Give your joints the nutritional tools to keep them functioning smoothly with Swanson Chondroitin Sulfate. A constituent of the cartilage that cushions each joint, chondroitin sulfate is one of the world's most popular supplemental nutrients for joint health maintenance.
Swanson Premium Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Help keep your joints in top working order with Swanson Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These unique nutritional compounds deliver the raw materials to help maintain cartilage that cushions our joints for comfortable movement.
Swanson Ultra Albion Chelated Magnesium & Calcium 2:1
Albion Chelated Magnesium & Calcium 2:1 reverses the traditional ratio, delivering adequate supplemental levels of each mineral along with vitamins D3 and K2 to ensure optimum absorption.
3. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) for Joint Health
MSM is a sulfur compound found naturally in our bodies. In nature, MSM is present in small amounts in vegetables, fruits and grains.9 Sulfur is crucial for repairing connective tissues, which is one area in which it may provide benefits for joint health.10 It’s also involved in the metabolism of certain foods and helps your body absorb nutrients. MSM supports collagen and keratin and may play a role in supporting immune response to stressors, in addition to supporting muscles during workouts and helping to defend against oxidative stress created during exercise.11,12
Although people take MSM supplements for a variety of reasons, from promoting hair health to exercise recovery, it’s most often taken to help support joint health, promote flexibility and preserve collagen.13 Numerous clinical studies have been conducted on MSM for joints with promising results.12,13
MSM is commonly supplemented in doses between 500 mg and 6,000 mg per day, with a great safety record. Follow the directions on your product label for best results.
How Does MSM Work?
MSM supplements are a highly absorbable form of organic sulfur that may support joints by helping your body form healthy connective tissue and encouraging comfort and vitality of joints, tendons and ligaments. MSM is also an antioxidant and may help keep joints healthy by assisting immune response to stressors.
Read MSM Benefits: Joint Health & Beyond to get the full scoop on how MSM may benefit your health.
MSM Supplements to Try
Swanson Ultra MSM
Support healthy cartilage, tendons, ligaments and skin easily with the help of Swanson TruFlex® MSM. This unique formula is an organic form of the essential mineral sulfur and is biologically active for easy assimilation.
Swanson Premium MSM Powder
Take care of your vital joint tissues with Swanson MSM. A biologically active form of the essential mineral sulfur, MSM delivers basic nourishment for the tissues that keep your joints working smoothly. It's also great for maintaining healthy hair, skin and nails.
4. Collagen for Joint Support
Collagen is a protein and a natural part of cartilage, bone and other tissues.14 It’s found in skin, muscles and tendons and it’s the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom.15
There are many different types of collagen and collagen supplements, but type II collagen is the major type of collagen in cartilage, imparting strength and the ability to compress to the cartilage within our joints so they can absorb shocks.15
Supplemental collagen is derived from bovine, chicken or fish sources, and many also feature key amino acids like glycine, proline and lysine. Collagen type II has been used safely in studies in doses of 2.5 mg and up to 40 mg for 42 days. The appropriate dose for each person depends on age, health and other conditions.14,16 Be sure to follow the directions on your product labels and check with your doctor to make sure collagen supplements are right for you.
How Does Collagen Help Joints?
Collagen supplements are believed to work by triggering substances in the body that help comfort joints, although research has not proven exactly how that process may work.14 Collagen also contains chondroitin and glucosamine, both of which may benefit joint health.14 It may support the fluids, functioning and integrity of the cartilage within joints, thus promoting joint health.
Undenatured type II collagen works specifically with the immune system to help support your joint health. Clinical studies have supported the use of this ingredient at 40 mg per day to support joint health, function and comfort.17
Collagen Supplements to Try
Swanson Ultra UC-II Standardized Collagen
Keep your joints working comfortably with the patented nutrition of UC-II Standardized Collagen. Awarded four U.S. patents for use in promoting joint health, UC-II is the only type II collagen supplement that's undenatured, retaining its original molecular structure.
Swanson Collagen Hydrolysate Powder
This high quality, highly bioavailable bovine protein provides collagen types I & III in a dissolving powder. With no fillers, flavors, colors or additives of any kind, this easy-to-use mix makes it easier than ever to add key amino acids that are essential to maintaining healthy connective tissue like glycine, proline and lysine.
5. Turmeric for Healthy Joints
Turmeric is a spice made from the dried and ground root of the turmeric plant (from the same family as ginger). It's been used as an herbal tonic for thousands of years, and many of the benefits of turmeric are attributed to a phytochemical within it known as curcumin.
Curcumin is an extremely potent antioxidant carotenoid pigment with potential uses for many areas of health, including memory, digestion, circulation and joint health.18,19 As a nutrient for joint health, turmeric may have comforting qualities and support healthy joint function.
People taking turmeric or curcumin supplements for joint health have taken 500 mg, two to four times per day for between six weeks and three months.19 Read your product label and check with your doctor if you aren’t sure about the best turmeric dosage for you.
How Does Turmeric Support Joint Health?
Turmeric may have comforting qualities for joints and it provides antioxidant support.19 Since turmeric is fat-soluble instead of water-soluble, it’s best to consume turmeric with a meal that contains some fat or oil, or to seek highly bioavailable turmeric supplements. You may want to try turmeric supplements combined with black pepper, which may help with absorption, or Swanson Ultra Turmeric Phytosome, which is a potent form of turmeric studied for its joint health benefits.19,20
Explore curcumin and turmeric in depth in the article Turmeric vs Curcumin: What is the Difference?
Turmeric Supplements to Try
Swanson Ultra Turmeric Phytosome
Turmeric Phytosome with Meriva represents the pinnacle of turmeric science. Meriva delivers active herbal components enveloped by phospholipids in a patented molecular complex. Preliminary research shows that Meriva is absorbed up to 10 times better than standard, non-complexed turmeric.
Swanson Premium Turmeric & Black Pepper
Swanson's capsules feature a potent 600 mg of turmeric fortified with black pepper to ensure optimal bioavailability. Since ancient times, India’s Ayurvedic herbalists have used turmeric as a cardiovascular and liver health tonic and to promote joint comfort and mobility.
Swanson Ultra High Absorption TheracurminTM
TheracurminTM is a proprietary turmeric preparation featuring finely milled turmeric in a colloidal suspension with glycerin and gum ghatti, which is a complex polysaccharide derived from the sap of the ghatti tree. This formula offers dramatically enhanced bioavailability to increase curcumin levels in the blood. Human trials show that TheracurminTM is more than 27 times more bioavailable than standard curcumin.
6. Vitamin D for Joint Health
You may know vitamin D as the "sunshine vitamin" since our bodies make it when our skin is exposed to the sun. This essential nutrient is well-known for helping support many areas of health, including healthy bones and teeth, brain and cardiovascular health, muscle health and even supporting immune function.21 But does vitamin D support joint health?
The answer to that isn’t so simple. Studies have repeatedly found low levels of vitamin D in people with joint concerns, which means there may be a link between vitamin D and joint health.21 And some researchers believe low vitamin D levels may complicate joint issues.21 While vitamin D deficiency may be associated with joint issues, there's no conclusive evidence that vitamin D supplementation provides specific joint health benefits for those with adequate vitamin D levels.
But if you consider the fact that most Americans consume less than the recommended amounts of vitamin D, and combine that knowledge with an awareness of the large number of people in the US who have joint health concerns, the potential link between vitamin D and joint health shouldn’t be ignored.1,22,23
And it isn't only Americans who should consider increasing their vitamin D intake, as some studies have shown that the great majority of adults globally have sub-optimal levels of vitamin D, a finding that, for example, has led the Swiss Federal Food Safety & Veterinary Office to recommend that all adults aged over 65 in that country add a vitamin D supplement of 800 IU (20 mcg) to their daily health routine.
According to recommendations by the US Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), healthy adults between 19 and 70 years of age should get 600 IU of vitamin D each day, while adults over 71 should get 800 IU each day.24 This added amount is because our bodies become less efficient at producing vitamin D as we age. Although we can get vitamin D from food sources, sometimes this can be difficult. However, recommended daily intake levels can easily be achieved with vitamin D supplements.
How Does Vitamin D Support Joint Health?
The potential benefits of vitamin D for joint health may be related to the vital role vitamin D plays in calcium and phosphorus absorption, including its roles in the release of calcium from the intestines and the active transport of phosphorus.25
Phosphorus works together with calcium to help build bones. Low levels of phosphorus alongside low levels of calcium and vitamin D for long periods of time may lead to weakness or softness of bones, which might contribute to muscle and joint concerns.26
To learn more about the benefits of vitamin D and foods containing vitamin D, read Say Hello to the Sunshine Vitamin: Top Foods High in Vitamin D.
Vitamin D Supplements to Try
Swanson Premium Vitamin D3 Highest Potency
Supports healthy bones, immune wellness, cardiovascular wellness and promotes calcium absorption in the body. This supplement provides a potent does of 5,000 IU per serving.
Calcium Citrate & Vitamin D
A potent and economical choice for supplementing your calcium and vitamin D intake for bone nourishment and enhanced absorption. This supplement features 315 mg of calcium in each tablet, plus 10 mcg of vitamin D.
7. Calcium and Joint Health
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, and it’s primarily stored in bones and teeth to help them stay strong.27 It also helps muscles contract and expand and plays a role in nervous system health.27
The relationship between calcium and joint health is multifaceted. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing calcium.28 In fact, by about age 30 our bones have reached their peak calcium content and start to lose calcium slowly, but you can help slow those losses by getting enough calcium every day.28 Why does that matter for joint health? Several areas of joint health concern may coincide with bone weakness or changes in bone mass or mineral density.29
One misconception regarding calcium and joint health involves the role of calcium in joint crystals. Experts say that the formation of calcium crystals in joints is not related to calcium intake except in individuals that have rare metabolic concerns that raise levels of calcium in the blood.30
The FNB recommends that adults between 19 and 50 years of age get 1,000 mg of calcium per day. Males 51 to 70 should also aim for 1,000 mg per day, and females aged 51 to 70 need 1,200 mg per day. Male and female adults over 71 years of age should get 1,200 mg of calcium each day.
How Does Calcium Support Joint Health?
Calcium plays a role in keeping bones strong, and healthy bones are important for healthy joints. Cartilage is avascular, meaning it does not have its own blood and nutrient supply. As we move, the synovial fluid from joints is pushed down through the bony channels of subchondral bone where it draws nutrients from the blood supply in the bone and carries those nutrients back to the cartilage. As bone health declines, these bony channels can break down, making the process less efficient.
You can learn about the different types of calcium supplements in the article Your Complete Guide to Calcium Supplements.
Calcium Supplements to Try
Swanson Premium Calcium Citrate
Calcium Citrate is one of the most absorbable and bioavailable forms of supplemental calcium. For those looking for a pure Calcium Citrate without added magnesium, vitamin D or other nutrients, we present these economical 200 mg capsules.
Swanson Ultra Coral Calcium Complex
This unique mineral formula features the ideal 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium, along with 73 trace minerals in a perfect, pH balanced combination made by nature.
The Best Herbs for Joints
There are a few key herbal ingredients that are clinically-backed for helping keep your joints healthy and comfortable. Here are the best of the best:
- Boswellia: A member of the Burseraceae plant family, boswellia has been used for thousands of years by Ayurvedic practitioners in India. Great for supporting restful sleep and immune health, boswellia is arguably most well known for what it can do for your joints. Studies have shown that boswellia is especially useful in promoting joint function and comfort.31
- Heartwood: A thorny tree found in South Asia known as the cutch tree (Acacia catechu) is the source for heartwood. Heartwood is rich in catechins, powerful antioxidant polyphenols found in plants. Research indicates that heartwood is an excellent supporter of joint health, mobility and comfort.32
- Chinese Skullcap: A staple of traditional Chinese herbalism, Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is a must-have for those looking for a little extra joint support. This flowering member of the mint family has been clinically studied for promoting joint comfort, and may be especially beneficial when taken with heartwood.33
- White Mulberry Root: Taken from the root of the mulberry tree (Morus alba) found in Northern China, white mulberry root is a potent source of antioxidant flavonoids and ployphenols. Studies show these antioxidant compounds may boost white mulberry root’s ability to aid joint health, comfort and mobility.32
Get the benefits of all the joint-supporting herbs mentioned above in one convenient capsule with Swanson Ultra Pure Joint, a fast-acting and potent joint health formula featuring patented and scientifically-studied herbal ingredients shown to promote joint comfort in as few as seven days while also supporting joint flexibility and mobility.
Many supplements that support joints are taken together to provide joint nourishment from multiple angles. In addition to our Pure Science Herbals Pure Joint, featuring the best, science-backed herbs for joints all in one formula, other popular joint health combination formulas include MSM and glucosamine, glucosamine and chondroitin and some supplements containing a nourishing trio of MSM, Chondroitin and Glucosamine.
Researchers are continually evaluating new ways to help maintain healthy joints at every age. As new information becomes available, Swanson Health will be here to keep you up-to-date and provide superior formulas for supporting joint health.
About Amy Sunderman, MS, RD
Amy is a registered dietitian, nutritionist and author with more than 20 years of experience in the supplement industry. Amy is passionate about dietary supplements and the health benefits they offer. She enjoys working to find novel nutritional ingredients with strong clinical research behind them to drive innovation and provide health-promoting products to consumers.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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