The joints – may it be knee, shoulder, elbow or hip – help us bend, twist, walk, run, dance and play sports. People in their later years usually face creaking and achy joints due to wear and tear. Medically, this is referred to as osteoarthiritis. Nowadays, this ailment is prevalent in middle age people as well as a result of a sedentary lifestyle. But this situation is not inevitable and you can control or prevent it easily. Research has shown that certain supplements can be used to delay and minimize the symptoms of achy pain to maintain healthy joints.
The best 3 supplements available for healthy joints are as listed:
1. Glucosamine
Detail: Glucosamine is a form of amino acid found naturally in the cartilage of joints in the body. It is used for refurbishing damaged tissues. It also stimulates the production and repairmen of cartilage.
Sources: It is found naturally in exoskeletons of sea creatures such as crab shells, lobsters and other shell fish. It is also present in a fungus called aspergillus niger and bone marrow of other animals.
Benefits: It is very beneficial for healing osteoarthirithis or delaying the disease’s symptoms. It prevents soreness, redness and inflammation of joints. It repairs the cartilage and keeps the joints healthy. It also relieves you from jaw arthiritis pain by making the joints more flexible and supple. In some people it eases the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder.
Side effects: Beyond the recommended dosage, glucosamine could result in certain side effects like headache, drowsiness, and digestive disorders like constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea etc.
2. Chondroitin Sulfate
Details: Chondroitin sulfate is a major component of extracellular matrix and helps in maintaining the integrity of tissues. It is a major component of cartilage and generates electrostatic repulsion against compression of joints. It basically cushions our joints.
Sources: It is majorly obtained from animal cartilage like bovine, pigs,chicken and shark.
Benefits: Chondroitin sulfate halts the premature breakdown of cartilage which results from diseases like osteoarthiritis. It restores the function and mobility to damaged joints. Thus, the movement becomes pain-free. It also reduces joint swelling and stiffness.
Side effects: Research has proven that chondroitin sulfate is a safe supplement. It has no registered adverse effects.
3. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Details: MSM is naturally found in unprocessed foods, but it can be developed artificially from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) also. MSM helps in the formation of protein in hair, muscle, skin and joints. Many arthiritis patients have found it to reduce their pain and inflammation.
Sources: It is found in whole grain, milk, fruits and vegetables.
Benefits: MSM is not a cure but can act as a pain reliever for conditions like rheumatoid arthiritis, gout, osteoarthiritis etc.
Side effects: Patients might experience headaches, stomach upset, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and skin rashes due to MSM usage.