Joint Supplements – The Inside Scoop

Let’s take a brief look at the current science of supplementation for joint pain, including my own clinical experience, and then go over the big picture of inflammation in the body, hydration, and some neurostructural considerations. Of course, this information is not a substitute for a visit to your doctor, but it will help you make more informed decisions when choosing supplements for joint pain.

Joint Supplement Science

There are a handful of double-blind controlled studies on glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and Boswellia. The problem is that the vast majority are due to osteoarthritis, which is a form of joint damage that is very advanced and difficult to treat. They also never exclude the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and NSAIDs inhibit cartilage repair.

With any type of inflammatory disorder, the supplement with the best quantity and quality of science behind it, by far, is fish oil. EVERYONE should supplement with fish oil.

Joint Pain Supplementation – Clinical Observations – Joint Supplement Reviews:

I have over twenty-five years of clinical experience with the various supplementation schemes for joint problems. Here are my comments:

Chondroitin and Glucosamine: These popular sulfur-containing biological polymer building blocks rarely work well and I’ve seen allergic reactions to them all too often. This is probably due to their high sulfite content and the fact that most are derived from shellfish. I never recommend them as a joint supplement anymore.

Boswellia: Derived from an East Indian tree that produces a resin used medicinally as an anti-inflammatory, this joint supplement works well for some people, but it’s definitely hard on the gut. Many people experience a gut intolerance when taking Boswellia. This joint supplement is a less strong cyclooxygenase inhibitor and appears to have an action similar to that of NSAIDs, that is, it is an anti-inflammatory but does not appear to directly help rebuild joints.

caprex^TM: An extract of hops, rosemary, and olive leaf that works well for some people but not for others. I believe this is due to variations in the underlying cause. If your joint problems are due to an underlying pro-inflammatory condition, then Kaprex works very well. I haven’t seen any gut problems with Kaprex, but it is an expensive joint supplement.

Aloe vera: The allantoin in aloe has been shown to increase cell turnover. This can be helpful in speeding up cartilage repair, and aloe has a long history of use as a joint supplement.

corridor edge^TM: An antioxidant enzyme supplement that will remove the “sand” from joint fluid if you give it time.

Wobenzyme^TM: The original proteolytic enzyme anti-inflammatory joint supplement with a lot of science behind it. Proteolytic enzymes break down protein signaling molecules to mitigate the inflammatory cascade process.

Sharp^TM: A highly effective proteolytic enzyme joint supplement. This one also has other ingredients besides enzymes to promote effective healing. A great alternative to NSAIDs with no liver or kidney toxicity and in my experience more effective than Wobenzyme. This effective joint enhancer also contains natural vitamin C, zinc, manganese, and copper; known essential nutrients for collagen repair and the best vitamins for joint repair.

Vitamin D: The best of the sun, essential for normal immune function, can be very helpful in reducing immune overactivity.

Hyaluronic acid: Draws moisture into fabrics. The best of foods, including most whole fruits and vegetables, especially starchy root vegetables, help the body retain moisture and assist the body in its own lubrication; likewise, broth prepared from the bones and joints of wild or humanely reared animals. This is also good taken as a supplement.

Methylsulfonyl Methane (MSM): This is basically a highly bioavailable form of sulfur and my favorite supplement for joint pain. About 80% of people who use it notice a positive improvement. Easy to use – just buy in bulk and mix with water. Cheap too, but don’t bother with the Chinese stuff; that is not worth it. If your sulfur level isn’t low, MSM may not help. People who respond to chondroitin/glucosamine tend to respond even better to MSM alone. If you have a low level of bioavailable sulfur, it will soften and moisturize thickened and scarred connective tissue and improve cartilage repair rates, providing greater flexibility and effective relief.

The proinflammatory state and joint pain

Sometimes the joint is just where the inflammation is expressed. Whether you have elbow joint pain, hand joint pain, or hip joint pain, this may indicate that you have a pro-inflammatory metabolic state in your body. A diet high in Omega-6 fatty acids and refined carbohydrates and/or excessive calories are associated with a pro-inflammatory balance. Spicy food can also increase inflammation. Some other factors that promote inflammation in the body include food allergies, impaired metabolic detox pathways, acidity (from high-acid foods and beverages, stress, and inactivity), and chronic infections.

Hydration

You need both general hydration (drinking and absorbing water) and local hydration, that is, getting fluids inside the cartilage itself. There are two known ways to accomplish this. One is through hyaluronic acid, as it draws moisture into the tissues. As mentioned, the best known food source for hyaluronic acid is any soup broth made from bones (also available as a supplement). The second factor is the mechanical action of the joint.

hyaline cartilage

Articular cartilage, known as hyaline cartilage, is like a very soft and slippery sponge. Like all connective tissue, it consists of living cells within a non-living matrix.

If you look through a microscope, the cartilage-building cells (called chondrocytes) in this matrix have a small pool-like space in which they live called lacunae. It is important to note that hyaline cartilage does not contain blood vessels! The only way those cells get the oxygen, blood sugar, and nutrients they need to survive and thrive is to absorb joint fluid directly through movement.

This is called imbibition: the direct ingestion of water. When you put weight on your knee, you compress the cartilage “sponge” and squeeze out water and waste material. When you lift your leg, it decompresses the “sponge” and allows it to absorb water and nutrients again. This is essential for the normal nightly burst of cartilage repair in the body, essential for healthy joint function.

Neurostructural integrity

If your knee is out of alignment, it may be compressed in one area and not another. This spot will have accelerated cartilage wear and reduced repair, because it doesn’t decompress and get the imbibition it needs.

Often knee alignment is secondary to hip and lower back alignment, which is secondary to neck alignment. If your neck is missing its natural curve, that puts stretching forces on your spinal cord, which increases nerve tension throughout your body. Since nerves cross joints and the spinal cord contains more important tissue than a knee, the body will compress the knee trying to reduce stress on the spinal cord. In this case, the entire knee may not decompress effectively. If this is the case, a joint supplement will have little effect.

It may seem strange that a good chiropractor working on your neck and spine can improve your knee pain, but time and time again I hear my clients tell me how much better their knees feel after a few sessions.

So if your joints ache, experiment with the above joint supplements with the help of your doctor and take into account other factors, such as the general tendency for inflammation in the body. Drink plenty of water and keep a close eye on the possibility of any loss of neurostructural integrity. So what is the best joint supplement? The joint supplement that works best for you!