What is the best supplement for joints and bones?

Suffer with constant joint pain? You may already be self-medicating with pain killers and anti-inflammatories, but there are also a number of natural supplements that can help to alleviate the pain.

Wondering which ones actually work and if you should take them?

We asked our pharmacist, Dan, to list 9 of the best joint supplements, and what the existing research says about them.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a sugar naturally produced by the body, and one of the building blocks of cartilage — the tough tissue that cushions joints and protects the bones from rubbing against each other. This is what causes joint pain and inflammation; a symptom of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine supplements are thought to relieve the pain and to prevent or slow the breakdown of cartilage, that usually occurs with osteoarthritis.

Swisse Ultiboost Glucosamine Sulfate 

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Blackmores Glucosamine Sulfate 1500 One-A-Day 

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Goodcombo Glucosamine 180 Tablets

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Chondroitin

Like glucosamine, chondroitin is also is also a natural substance found in the body. It’s believed to help draw water and nutrients into the cartilage, keeping it spongy and healthy. Several studies have found that chondroitin reduces joint pain and stiffness, as well as prevent cartilage breakdown from osteoarthritis.

Deep Heat Joint Health Chondroitin 

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Ethical Nutrients Active Joint Support 30 Capsules

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Thompson's Glucosamine Chondroitin with Boron 

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Turmeric/Curcumin

Turmeric is one of the most commonly used supplements for treating pain, including joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. It contains the chemical compound curcumin — a hard-working anti-inflammatory and and anti-rheumatic, that helps to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness related to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Fish Oil/Omega 3

Fish oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, both of which are anti-inflammatories that help alleviate pain and inflammation in a similar way to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Current research suggests omega-3 fats are helpful for people with inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, but not for osteoarthritis, where pain is caused by the breakdown in cartilage.

Goodcombo Omega-3Soft Gel Capsules

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Ethical Nutrients Omega-3 Fruit Punch 

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Calcium/Vitamin D

Vitamin D, along with calcium (you need vitamin D to help your body absorb calcium from your diet) helps to build bones and keep bones strong and healthy. If your body is deficient in vitamin D it makes it hard to absorb calcium, which in turn makes your bones weak. Weak bones can lead to osteoporosis, the loss of bone density, which can cause painful fractures.

Whilst taking vitamin D won’t help to alleviate pain, it does however, help to strengthen the bones, so it reduces the risk of developing OA.

Swisse Ultiboost Calcium + Vitamin D 150 Tablets

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Ostelin Vitamin D & Calcium 250 Tablets

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Trust Calcium + Vitamin D 60 Tablets

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Magnesium

Magnesium is an important mineral for the overall function of the body. It’s essential for proper muscle function, and is known to reduce inflammation in the body. It works as a muscle relaxant, relieving pain caused by tight, sore and cramped muscles. It’s usually recommended as a treatment for back pain and cramps.

IMUNI Magnesium Citrate Powder 100g

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Faulding Magnesium Forte 400mg 150 Capsules

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Cymbiotika Magnesium L-Threonate 30x15mL

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Lyprinol/Green Lipped Mussel

Much like fish oil supplements, green-lipped mussel supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory and joint-protecting properties. Evidence suggests that it might be of some use to people with osteoarthritis when taken along with paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It’s not, however effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

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Pycnogenol

Derived from French native pine bark, pycnogenol contains several bioflavonoids that have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Evidence suggests that taking this particular supplement may result in an improvement in the symptoms of osteoarthritis, thus providing relief for joint inflammation, discomfort and oxidative stress for those who differ with osteoarthritis.

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Silica

Much like calcium, silica is one of the essential minerals our body needs to promote optimum bone health. Silica is renowned for its bone-building and bone-protecting properties. It can improve bone density, bone flexibility and if you suffer with any bone degeneration diseases and conditions like osteoporosis, silica helps with the healing and repair process.

Silica also promotes collagen, the structural protein in skin, tendons, and bones. The amount of collagen in your body decreases as you get older, so you are more at risk of developing degenerative joint disorders such as osteoarthritis. Collagen also provides support for the growth and repair of cartilage tissue, as well as relief for joint inflammation and pain.

BioCeuticals Silica Liquid 500mL

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Silicea ULTRA One A Day Soft Capsules 30 Pack

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Blackmores Collagen Joint Renew 120g

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What is the most effective joint supplement?

When it comes to treating arthritis pain and improving joint function omega 3 fatty acids [1], turmeric [2] and resveratrol [3] are typically deemed to be the most effective ingredients for natural rheumatoid arthritis pain. As such we'd typically recommend supplements for arthritis that contain all three.

What are the top 3 supplements I recommend for bone & joint health?

These are five of the best vitamins to take regularly to promote good joint health..
Fish Oil. The omega-3 fatty acid contained in fish oil pills is often associated with a healthy heart and glowing skin. ... .
Calcium. ... .
Vitamin D. ... .
Glucosamine. ... .
Chondroitin..

What vitamin makes your joints stronger?

Vitamin D. In general terms, vitamin D supports the joints as it helps the body absorb calcium. This is key to the health and development of the bones (and therefore the joints) and, as such, it is important the body is able to make the most of it.

What is the best supplement for joint and muscle health?

Chondroitin and glucosamine are two natural substances within your cartilage, which tends to decrease around your joints as you age. Supplements containing these components have been found to reduce pain caused by cartilage loss, with chondroitin improving function and glucosamine improving stiffness.