In a US national survey, about ⅓ of adults reported that they have experienced joint pain within the last 30 days (WebMD). That number is surely higher for those who participate in combat sports.
Joint supplements are becoming an absolute necessity for athletes and others who strain their backs and necks. There are several different types to choose from, meaning if you don’t like one, you can always try another. Even people with serious conditions use and love joint supplements to support pain management routines. It’s time to hop on the train and improve your quality of life!
What are joint supplements?
Every joint supplement is made for the exact same purpose; to aid in pain relief and inflammation. These are great for people with mobility conditions, students with back pain, or even athletes who play contact sports. Some joint supplements may be composed of a singular main ingredient such as turmeric tablets. Others may be a combination of a couple of ingredients, like a mixture of glucosamine and chondroitin. Either way, taking these supplements can be highly beneficial by improving one’s well being.
What are the different types of joint supplements?
There are a lot to choose from! We narrowed down the list to a select few that we believe are some of the best ingredients in a joint supplement. Each of these are significant when it comes to improving pain symptoms and have anti-inflammatory effects.
- Boswellia
- Chondroitin
- Glucosamine
- Krill Oil
- Turmeric
Boswellia
Boswellia is an extract taken from the Boswellia serrata tree. This is an almost ancient ingredient used in Asian and Africa because of its anti-inflammatory properties
Chondroitin and Glucosamine
These two belong together because of their importance as components in cartilage. Chondroitin is a chemical and glucosamine is a compound. These both help with the building and maintenance of cartilage, which is a tissue between your bones to make sure they don’t rub together.
The less cartilage a person has, the more their bones will rub together, and if their bones rub together, then they will experience serious discomfort and pain. That is why these two ingredients are included in joint supplements, to help in the best way possible.
Krill Oil
Krill are tiny crustaceans that are filled with omega-3s, DHA, and EPA. All are perfect for fighting inflammation and joint pain. Lots of people with arthritis use krill oil in addition to their medications to help decrease their pain and discomfort levels.
It’s also preferred over fish oil because it does not have that awful fishy aftertaste.
Turmeric
Turmeric is considered a powerful antioxidant that is also well known for its anti-inflammatory effects. It’s so popular that now many well known juiceries and smoothie brands make sure to include turmeric in tons of their recipes. Turmeric contains curcurmin which is the compound to thank for its help in joint supplements.
Are joint supplements worth it?
It’s very important to remember, like with anything else, results may vary based on the individual. Joint supplements may improve longevity, offer more joint support, and improve mobility. There have been several studies surrounding each ingredient and combinations of ingredients commonly used as joint supplements that support these claims and people who prove it.
Although these are usually well-tolerated, side effects may occur, including: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, indigestion, and skin rashes. If this happens you may want to decrease your intake or stop using the supplement altogether. Luckily, there are many types of joint supplements. So if one does not interact well with your body, you can always try another one.
Who should take joint supplements?
Joint supplements are made to help with pain in common areas like the neck, back, or knees. Although these may have a reputation for being popular amongst older people, joint supplements are for everybody.
Great for those with Sedentary Lifestyles
Even people who spend most of their day sitting down can benefit from joint supplements. Working on a computer typing all day can put a serious strain on one’s lower back, shoulders, and neck. This leads many people to search for a new chair or pillows to add for support, but by taking joint supplements they can be proactive. These will help reduce any inflammation and therefore help with any pains at the end of the day.
Beneficial Addition to an Arthritis Management Regimen
Even people with arthritis may benefit from the usage of joint supplements. As mentioned earlier, these help with inflammation which is the cause of joint pain for those with arthritis. This disease can lead to horrible pain and stiffness. If you are diagnosed with arthritis, it is always best to consult with a physician before taking any joint supplements to ensure that it will not react with any medication.
A Killer Necessity for Combat Sports Athletes
Athletes who practice boxing, or other combat sports where players add a lot of stress and force to their bodies, are a great group of people to start taking supplements. With all the intense training, sparring, and fights, boxing can do a lot of damage to an athlete’s knees and backs. It’s best to try and deal with this in a more sustainable way than pain medications. Some joint supplements, like turmeric, are all natural, which makes this the best way to go.
You have nothing to lose from trying out a new joint supplement. If you can use more natural ways to assist in pain relief and inflammation instead of only relying on medication, why not try now? You could seriously improve the quality of your life and your body will thank you for it.