Posted in Chondroitin

Top Joint Supplements

Editor’s Guide to Top Joint Support Supplements

Get tips and what you should look for and why Amazon may not be the best place for researching joint pain supplements

Millions of consumers suffer from chronic joint pain and are seeking natural supplements to decrease joint pain, joint inflammation and discomfort and boost their joints mobility. Top nutraceutical brands have caught on and begun formulating joint supplements targeted to the 55 million Americans currently experiencing joint pain.

The more advance supplements we researched use a combination of plant extracts that have a history of use to promote joint health for thousands of years. Research shows that these natural ingredients may be just as effective as their synthetic counterparts.

Joint_PainHowever, with so many products to choose from consumers are confused on what to look for in an all-natural joint support supplement. That’s why we compiled and reviewed not only the ingredients but the products that show real promise in their multi prong approach and combination of ingredients in a large enough dose to potentially make all the difference.  We’ll show you what to look for, what to avoid, and how a to look for a quality joint supplement that may help in your situation.

YOU MAY BENEFIT FROM A JOINT HEALTH SUPPLEMENT IF:

  •  You experience discomfort in your knees, wrists, arms, or back
  •  You’ve noticed decreased mobility
  •  Your hands or feet have started swelling
  •  You get tired more easily than normal

WHAT ARE THE TOP INGREDIENTS FOR JOINT HEALTH?

During our research, we discovered that there are key ingredients clinically proven to help support joint wellbeing and boost overall health. They each have their own benefits, but when taken together, they pack a serious punch:

Glucosamine  is a precursor for glycosaminoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans are a major component of cartilage, research has focused on the potential for supplemental glucosamine to beneficially influence cartilage structure and alleviate arthritis.  While in most of Europe, glucosamine is approved as a medical drug and is sold in the form of glucosamine sulfate. In this case, evidence of safety and efficacy is required for the medical use of glucosamine and several guidelines have recommended its use as an effective and safe therapy for osteoarthritis.

Chondroitin is a substance that occurs naturally in the connective tissues of people.  As an osteoarthritis treatment, chondroitin is often used along with another supplement, glucosamine.  A number of studies seemed to show that it is effective. Researchers found that chondroitin appeared to reduce pain, increase joint mobility, and decrease the need for painkillers.

Turmeric Curcumin: This ancient spice is widely loved in medical circles for its ability to support and defend joint, bone, and physical wellness. One important note, however, is that the generic forms found in most mass-market supplements simply don’t have the potency and absorption power needed to be effective. Trials of clinically proven curcumin suggest a daily serving size of 350 to 400 mg. If a supplement contains more than this, it suggests that the curcumin is probably not clinically proven and may not work as promised.

Boswellia: This tree extract helps curb discomfort by moderating our bodies’ natural inflammatory responses. It has even been shown to work better than an over-the-counter NSAID medication. However, like turmeric curcumin, generic forms may not give you the results you’re looking for. Based on clinical trials, target potency for ranged from 250 to 300 mg of boswellia per serving.

Clinically studied and safe ingredients are critical for the results you want, but they aren’t the only characteristics to look for on a joint health supplement label. There are other key factors we considered while picking out our top five products.

WHAT YOU NEED IN A JOINT HEALTH SUPPLEMENT

Taking all of the healthful plant extracts listed above into consideration, we’ve boiled down a list of  four key characteristics you should always look for in a joint health supplement. Try to seek out all of these qualities:

THE RIGHT COMBINATION

We wanted to find a supplement that included all of the healthful ingredients mentioned above. Why mix and match, or sacrifice a powerful ingredient altogether, when you can have them all in one simple daily supplement?Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to find boswellia, curcumin and collagen UC – II all together in one product, but we found that it’s worth the hunt.

POWERFUL POTENCY

Any supplement that doesn’t offer the serving sizes we mentioned abovesimply won’t give you the results you need. This goes for both serving sizes that are lower and higher, as turmeric curcumins with huge serving sizes are usually trying to compensate for a lack of absorption power.

CLINICALLY STUDIED INGREDIENTS

It goes without saying—you want ingredients that have been clinically provento work. Unfortunately, most supplements contain generic and unstudied forms of the ingredients they advertise. Make sure that the label lists ingredients that have been proven effective in clinical studies.

WHAT TO AVOID

GENERIC INGREDIENTS

Too many health brands have been cutting costs by using cheaper, generic ingredients. This is likely why you or someone you know have tried a turmeric curcumin supplement without any results. It’s critical to find a supplement with 100% clinically proven ingredients.

PRIORITIZING PRICE OVER QUALITY

We found that the some brands tended to fall short on potency. Focus on quality ingredients to avoid compromising on your health.

 

Editor’s Picks of the Top 3 Joint Support Supplements on the market

Based on our own extensive research, the metrics provided by our Smarter Reviews Ranking System, and consideration of numerous reviews by Smarter Shoppers just like you, we’ve compiled a list of what we’ve found to be the top products in this category, on the market today.

Top Joint Supplement Product Rating / Price / Details

#1 Joint Supplement

MerkLabs - Total Joint Support Glucosamine Chondroitin Turmeric MSM Boswellia Xlarge Dose Joints Pain Anti-Inflammatory Supplement.


PROS:
-- Multi prong combination
-- In extra large dose
-- Larger quantity that matters
-- Includes Boswellia and MSM
-- Product guarantee policy
-- Awarded Top Consumer Health Report award

CONS:
Out of stock more frequently


MerkLabs ranks #1 in our top joint support supplements for multiple reason. This product delivers an extra large potent serving size of a maximized combination of ingredients. Additionally, it comes in an advanced and optimized formulat including boswellia, MSM and Tumeric.

A+


glucosamine_merklabs



 


$49.99 at Merklabs

$29.99 at Amazon -
Learn More



*Results are based on Editor's Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

#2 Joint Supplement

Instaflex - Joint Health Supplement.


PROS:
-- Includes some of most important ingredients
-- Comes in acceptable dose
-- Quantity of ingredients is acceptable
-- Product guarantee policy

CONS:
-- Missing some critical joint health ingredients.
-- Lower dose and quantity of ingredients we'd like to see.


Instaflex ranks #2 in our top joint support supplements for multiple reason. This product delivers some of the critical ingredients combinations we look for in a joint health dietary supplement. While it does not provide the extra large potent serving size nor a maximized combination of ingredients it still does deliver some of the ingredients we look for.

A-



instaflex


$79.01

$79.01 at Amazon - Learn More


*Results are based on Editor's Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

#3 Joint Supplement



EASE by Osteobiflex - Joint Support Supplement.


PROS:
-- Has some of most important ingredients
-- Comes in acceptable dose
-- Quantity of ingredients is acceptable

CONS:
-- Missing some critical joint health ingredients.
-- Lower dose and quantity of ingredients we'd like to see.
-- Much lower pill count bottle as little as 1/3 of our top selection


Osteobiflex Ease ranks #3 in our top joint support supplements for multiple reasons. While this joint aide delivers limited critical ingredients combinations we look for in a joint health dietary supplement, it does never the less have brand awareness via marketing efforts coupled with consumer trust of the brand. However this Joint product does Not provide the extra large potent serving size nor a maximized combination of ingredients and unfortunately comes in the smallest count bottle option we've seen. But the joint pills still do deliver some of the ingredients we look for.

A-



Osteobiflex


$59.99

$59.99 at Amazon - Learn More


*Results are based on Editor's Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

 

 

References:

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis-related-stats.htm
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24002213
  3. https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-chondroitin
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4175880/
  5. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/supplement-guide-glucosamine
  6. http://www.fiercepharma.com/sales-and-marketing/top-10-rheumatoid-arthritis-drugs-2013
  7. http://fitlife.tv/everything-you-need-to-know-about-inflammation/
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16495392

Chondroitin

What Is Chondroitin?

Chondroitin is a substance that occurs naturally in the connective tissues of people and animals. As a supplement in higher doses than is found naturally, chondroitin is a popular treatment for osteoarthritis.

Why do people take chondroitin?

As an osteoarthritis treatment, chondroitin is often used along with another supplement, glucosamine.

The evidence that chondroitin helps with osteoarthritis is mixed. A number of studies seemed to show that it is effective. Researchers found that chondroitin appeared to reduce pain, increase joint mobility, and decrease the need for painkillers.

 

Chondroitin is a major component of cartilage?

Chondroitin is a major component of cartilage that helps it retain water. It is made by the body naturally. For production of supplements, it can be manufactured from the cartilage of animals, like cows, pigs or sharks, or it can be made in the laboratory. The supplement is sold as chondroitin sulfate. In many European countries it is approved as a prescription treatment for OA. In the U.S., it is often combined with a glucosamine supplement.

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are popular supplements used to treat the pain and loss of function associated with osteoarthritis (OA).

 

Chondroitin Medical use

Although chondroitin is used in dietary supplements as an alternative medicine to reat osteoarthritis and also approved and regulated as a symptomatic slow-acting drug for this disease (SYSADOA) in Europe and some other countries, it is technically neither a medicine nor a disease-modifying treatment.  It is commonly sold together with glucosamine.  

 

Chondroitin Clinical Studies

Some of the most relevant recently conducted clinical trials performed with chondroitin sulfate are summarized below.

  • Clinical trials performed to assess the symptomatic effect of chondroitin sulfate in osteoarthritis:

The largest trial conducted with the product is the Glucosamine and Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), a double-blind, randomized, multicenter clinical trial sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health in 1583 patients with knee osteoarthritis, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Clegg DO, et al. 2006).  Patients were randomly assigned to one of five orally administered treatments: two 250 mg capsules of glucosamine hydrochloride three times daily, two 200 mg capsules of chondroitin sulphate three times daily, two capsules of 250 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride plus 200 mg of chondroitin sulphate three times daily, 200 mg of celecoxib daily, or placebo. Treatment was administered for 24 weeks.

  • Primary Outcome:

The primary outcome measure was a 20% decrease in the WOMAC pain subscale from baseline to week 24. The analysis of the primary outcome data for all patients showed the percentage of responders in each group to be: glucosamine: 64.0%; chondroitin sulphate: 65.4%; glucosamine + chondroitin sulphate: 66.6%; and celecoxib: 70.1% (p=0.008). Thus, despite the considerable effect elicited by all the products, only the celecoxib group reached statistical significance. This has been discussed by the authors and attributed mainly to the unprecedented high response in the placebo group (60.1%) and the relatively mild degree of pain among participants, which may have limited the ability to detect treatment benefits. Indeed, treatment effects were more substantial in patients with moderate-to-severe pain. Analysis of the results for the primary outcome, based on higher baseline pain, showed the percentage of responders in each treatment group to be 54.3% for placebo; 61.4% for chondroitin sulphate; 65.7% for glucosamine hydrochloride; 69.4% for celecoxib; and 79.2% for combined glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. Thus, in the higher WOMAC pain stratum, only the combination glucosamine + chondroitin group presented significant efficacy (p=0.002).

  • Secondary Outcomes:

Secondary efficacy outcome measures were as follows: OMERACT-OARSI response, 50% decrease in WOMAC pain score, WOMAC pain, stiffness and function score, normalized WOMAC score, patient and investigator global evaluations of disease status and response to study medication, evaluation of the index knee for swelling and tenderness, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Alternative Disability score and HAQ Pain score, clinical evaluation for adverse reactions and reconciliation of study medications and rescue analgesia use. Analysis of the OMERACT-OARSI measure in all randomized patients revealed statistical significance for both celecoxib (p=0.007) and glucosamine and chondroitin in combination (P=0.02) compared to placebo. Swelling of study joints was significantly less in patients in the chondroitin sulphate (P=0.01) and celecoxib (P=0.03) treatment arms. Differences in the other secondary outcomes were not statistically significant when compared across the 5 treatment arms for all patients. For patients with moderate-to-severe pain at baseline (n=354), a statistically significant difference was observed in favor of the glucosamine and chondroitin combination group versus placebo for the following efficacy outcomes: 20% decrease in WOMAC pain score (0.002); OMERACT-OARSI response (0.001); 50% decrease in WOMAC pain score (0.02); WOMAC pain score (0.009); WOMAC function score (0.008); normalised WOMAC score (0.017); Health Assessment Questionnaire Pain score (0.03).

While the combination therapy of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate significantly reduced knee pain in the moderate-to-severe pain subgroup, Clegg et al. (2006)  state that another trial needs to confirm their results. The authors also note that there was a small number of patients in the moderate-to-severe pain subgroup, which could have limited the study’s power to demonstrate efficacy. It is concerning that glucosamine and chondroitin in this study only showed efficacy in combination.  It is possible that when glucosamine and chondroitin interact there is a synergistic effect; however, a synergistic effect has not been proven (Singh, Noorbalochi, MacDonald, & Maxwell, 2016).

A subanalysis of GAIT results based on interaction of Kellgren & Lawrence Grade and Chondroitin Sulfate response relative to placebo was performed by the same study investigators.   The results indicated better response for chondroitin sulfate relative to placebo for Kellgren & Lawrence grade 2 compared with grade 3. In general, chondroitin sulfate response within the Kellgren & Lawrence grade 2 group was very similar to that seen for celecoxib. These results suggest that chondroitin sulfate may improve osteoarthritis knee pain in patients with relatively early radiographic disease.

Sawitzke A, et al. 2010 evaluated the efficacy and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, alone or in combination, as well as celecoxib and placebo on painful knee osteoarthritis over 2 years as a continuation of the GAIT trial. This was a 24-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, enrolling 662 patients with knee osteoarthritis who satisfied radiographic criteria (Kellgren/Lawrence grade 2 or 3 changes and baseline joint space width of at least 2 mm). This subset continued to receive their randomized treatment (glucosamine 500 mg three times daily, chondroitin sulfate 400 mg three times daily, the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, celecoxib 200 mg daily, or placebo) over 24 months. The primary outcome was a 20% reduction in pain over 24 months as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes included an Outcome Measures in Rheumatology/Osteoarthritis Research Society International response and change from baseline in WOMAC pain and function. Over 2 years, none of the treatments (not even the positive control celecoxib) achieved a clinically important difference in WOMAC pain or function as compared with placebo. Adverse reactions were similar among treatment groups and serious adverse events were rare for all treatments.

A recent study called the CONCEPT trial (Reginster, Dudler, Blicharski, & Pavelka, 2017) investigated the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and celecoxib in the management of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. A 6 month, double-blind, double-dummy experiment using 604 patients with knee osteoarthritis was conducted. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: 1. One tablet of pharmaceutical grade chondroitin sulfate 800 mg and one placebo capsule of celecoxib 2. One capsule of celecoxib 200 mg and one placebo tablet of chondroitin sulfate 3. One placebo capsule of celecoxib and one placebo tablet of chondroitin sulfate. Patients in all groups were required to take their capsules and tablets once daily in the evening. The CONCEPT trial (Reginster et al., 2017) found that chondroitin sulfate was as effective as celecoxib. The authors stated that an 800 mg/day pharmaceutical-grade tablet of chondroitin sulfate should be “considered first-line treatment in the medical management of knee OA.”

While it is a prescription or over-the-counter drug in 22 countries, chondroitin is regulated in the U.S. as a dietary supplement by the Food and Drug Administration. In Europe, chondroitin sulfate formulations are approved as drugs with evidenced efficacy and safety demonstrated by clinical trials in osteoarthritic patients.

 

How much chondroitin should you take?

Since chondroitin is not an established treatment, the ideal dosage is uncertain. For osteoarthritis, some studies have used 1,200 milligrams to 1,800 milligrams once a day. Other studies have used smaller doses multiple times a day. Ask your doctor for advice.

 

Can you get chondroitin naturally from foods?

Chondroitin occurs naturally in animal tissue, especially connective tissues. Gristle on animal bones is high in chondroitin. However, these sources are much lower than the doses provided in chondroitin supplements. Some chondroitin supplements come from animal sources, like shark or beef cartilage.

What are the risks of taking chondroitin?

  • Side effects. Chondroitin seems to be safe for most people. Side effects are rare.
  • Risks. People who have asthma, or prostate cancer should not take chondroitin supplements without talking to a doctor first. There have been some instances of hyperssensitivity in people with shellfish allergies. Since chondroitin might work as a blood thinner, there is a theoretical risk of bleeding, especially in people with bleeding disorders.
  • Interactions. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using chondroitin supplements. They could interact with drugs like blood thinners and NSAID painkillers or supplements like ginkgo biloba, garlic, and saw palmetto.