What Supplements Work for Joint Support?

Understanding Joint Support Supplements

Before we begin, a proper understanding of joint health supplements is essential. Any dietary products you can consume to help you with joint support and maintenance qualify as joint support supplements. From a glass of milk to the latest researched medicines, they can be considered joint support supplements. 

Now, we can explore together the various available supplements in the market.

Types of Joint Supplements and How They Work

Based on the ingredients present in the supplements, there are a few types of joint supplements available in the market. Let us look at them one by one.

Supplements Containing Collagen

This type of supplement supports your joints by strengthening your bones, ligaments, and tendons and enhances the function of your joints. Collagen is the protein that helps in the structural formation of these structures. 

Vitamins and Mineral-Rich Supplements

You may all know from childhood that vitamins, especially Vitamin D, are essential for proper bone growth and development. Your bone health directly determines your joint health. Supplements rich in Vitamin D and Vitamin C help in the health of your joints. 

In the same way, minerals like Magnesium and calcium are also very much needed for maintaining the optimal health of your bones. Good bones indicate better joints. Supplements enriched with these minerals and vitamins help you to achieve the best joint health.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin-Enriched Supplements

The cartilage in your body is naturally formed and repaired with the help of Glucosamine. You can also extract it from shellfish. Supplementing your body with Glucosamine helps your joint health by strengthening your cartilage. 

Chondroitin is a component in your cartilage and usually gets prescribed along with Glucosamine. This supplement strengthens the cartilage in your joints and enhances its stability.

Omega-3-Fatty Acids

Sourced mainly from fish oil, this is a great anti-inflammatory substance which, when consumed, promotes your joint health. It prevents your joints from inflammating.

Importance of Choosing Reputable Supplement Brands

Whenever you buy joint supplements, always check for the ingredients and choose a wholesome product. There are many top brands which sell healthy joint supplements. Always select the product after ensuring the ingredients. You can do so by choosing supplements from reputed brands. 

The following factors make buying supplements from trusted and top brands crucial:

• Ensuring good quality of the ingredients,
• Guaranteed efficacy of the supplements,
• Guidelines for correct dosage and appropriate combinations,
• Ensuring safety,
• Adhering to safe manufacturing practices,
• Trust and reputation a top brand offers, and
• Minimal presence of contaminants and allergens.

Buying supplements from a reputed brand helps you ensure all these critical factors. Always buy from top-rated brands by checking the ingredients. 

Herbal Supplements for the Natural Healing of Joints

If you need more time to buy supplements or want to try something more natural and herbal, Ayurveda caters to various choices. You will find them effective when you use them under the proper guidance of an Ayurveda practitioner.

Ayurveda offers single herbs as remedies as well as time-tested and effective classical formulations for maintaining your joint health. Here are some of the single herbal remedies that you could consume for optimal joint health:

Turmeric: The Golden Herb 

Did you know the scientific name of turmeric is Curcuma longa? The term Curcuma indicates an active ingredient in turmeric called Curcumin. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing the inflammation of joints. It's been widely used by arthritic patients. Consuming a pinch of turmeric mixed with milk daily can do wonders.

Ginger: The Universal Medicine

Ginger has anti-inflammatory actions and helps reduce joint stiffness and pain. Including ginger in your daily diet can help. You can consume it in your herbal tea or vegetable curries.

Ashwagandha: The All-Curing Herb

The most sought-after Ayurvedic herb, Ashwagandha, has gotten its name due to its multifaceted actions. This wonderful herb can increase your muscle and overall joint health. It can also reduce stress and promote good sleep too. 

In addition to these single herbs, there are classical formulations mentioned in Ayurveda which can solve your joint problems:

Maharasnadi Kwatham

This Ayurvedic herbal preparation contains anti-inflammatory herbs like Pluchea lanceolata, Tinospora cordifolia, ginger, Ashwagandha, etc.

Triphala Guggulu

Ayurvedic pills containing Triphala and Guggulu have detoxifying properties and can help manage joint problems.

Dashamoola Kwatham

Ayurvedic herbal preparation comprises ten medicinal plant roots, such as the ones from the Stone apple (bilwa), wind killer tree (agnimantha), and Indian trumpet tree (syonaka) that help soothe joint-related pains.

Bala Tailam

It is a medicated oil with strengthening herbs, which helps to increase joint mobility and massage. Using this oil helps to improve blood circulation and reduces inflammation.

These herbs mentioned above and their formulations form only the tip of an iceberg. There are many more herbs and formulations mentioned in Ayurveda for joint health. 

In addition to these, Ayurveda panchakarma therapies like Abhyanga, jaanuvasthi, etc, which involve the application of oil on your joints, can effectively enhance your joint health.

Vitamins for Optimal Joint Health

As we discussed earlier, Vitamins play an essential role in maintaining your optimal joint health. In this section, let us discuss it more deeply. 

Vitamin D

Bone health and joint support are incomplete without Vitamin D. Vitamin D aids these factors by calcium absorption and thus increases bone strength and density. It enhances the stability and strength of your joints. Egg yolks, beef liver, sunlight exposure, fatty fish, etc., are rich Vitamin D sources. 

Vitamin C

This vitamin aids joint health by promoting collagen synthesis and is an antioxidant. Nuts and seeds, broccoli, spinach, vegetable oils, and avocado are excellent sources of vitamin C. So, you may want to include these in your diet.

B Complex Vitamins (Consist of B1, B2, B3, B5.B6, B7, B9, B12)

Energy metabolism, formation of red blood cells and nerve functioning are some of the prime duties of these vitamins. They aid joint health indirectly through overall well-being. The dietary sources of these vitamins are as follows: 

1. B1: Nuts, pork, whole grains, 
    
2. B2: Green leafy vegetables, dairy products, lean meats, 
    
3. B3: Whole grains, meat, peanuts, fish,
    
4. B5: Avocados, whole grains, meat,
    
5. B6: Fish, poultry, bananas, chickpeas,
    
6. B7: Whole grains, nuts, egg yolks,
    
7. B9: Beans, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, and
    
8. B12: Dairy products, fortified cereals, meat, fish.

Conclusion

Whether taking market-available supplements or herbal supplements or changing your dietary practices and lifestyle, consulting with a healthcare professional is necessary. You can consult with your doctor, Ayurveda practitioner, Orthopaedic specialists or your dietician. Seeking professional advice is essential for maintaining good health. Professionals can assess your overall health and recommend the best action for your needs. With their professional experience, they can suggest products that are authentic and appropriate for your condition. They can also safeguard you from any potential complications and provide you with the correct dosages. Professional monitoring and follow-up are essential for ensuring that you receive the best possible care and achieve the desired outcomes.

As we discussed, the health of your joints is a direct indication of your health. Maintaining joint health and preventing joint diseases plays a crucial role in your overall health. By choosing the correct joint supplements and with clear guidance from experts, you can move those joints smoothly for a long time.