Your need-to-know guide to joint care supplements

Healthy joints are important, but why? Let’s find out, along with discovering a way to better joints and finding the best joint supplement for you!

Why are healthy joints important?

“Healthy joints are essential for every daily movement we make, including basic tasks such as carrying the shopping,” Holland and Barret nutritionist, Isabel Tarrant, says.

“Taking care of your joints now can significantly reduce your risk of joint issues later in life and prevent the occurrence of injuries.”

Handpicked content: Want to protect your joints? Here's why you need to exercise

What’s good for healthy joints?

When it comes to joint health, there are many things that can help. Just be aware there’s no one-fits-all approach when it comes to maintaining healthy joints.

Instead, it’s all about you and what your specific needs are. We’ll share a few options you might want to try throughout this article.

How to strengthen joints?

Different forms of exercise not only keep you fit and give a bonus mood lift through the production of endorphins—a ‘happiness hormone’—in the body, but also come with many benefits when it comes to joint health.¹

Simple movement, stretching, and flexibility routines such as yoga and low-impact exercises like swimming or walking can strengthen the muscles and weak joints, reduce stiffness, and help mobility. Find a routine that works best for you.

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What’s the best supplement for joint pain and healthy joints?

There’s a wide variety of joint health supplements and traditional herbal remedies to choose from, whether you’re looking to maintain normal joint health or help alleviate joint pain.

They play an important role in the maintenance of healthy joints, helping them to function and potentially preventing joint pain along the way. We’ll share a few of our favourites with you any moment now!

Summary

• Healthy joints are important for our daily movement and taking care of them reduces the risk of injury, pain and long-term conditions like arthritis
• There are several ways to take care of your joints, including exercise and supplements
• Exercise: Can help strengthen joints, flexibility, and mobility.
• Supplements: Have various roles when it comes to joint health, including the promotion of strong bones and pain relief

What age should you start taking joint care supplements?

It’s always good to be aware of joint health, your diet, and taking care of your body—especially as you grow older—but taking joint care supplements depends on you, your needs, age, and any conditions or medications you may have.

It’s often advised to discuss taking joint care supplements with a medical professional before starting anything new.

What is the most effective joint supplement?

There are several options when it comes to joint supplements, ranging from natural remedies that can relieve joint pain to food supplements that can support joint health.

These include:

• Turmeric

As a major source of the plant compound, curcumin, turmeric has been used for centuries in cooking.

Loved by health, science, and culinary experts alike, it’s believed to support normal joint health.²

It doesn’t work well on its own though due to poor absorption and the speed at which it’s eliminated and metabolised in the body, so it’s good to pair it with black pepper.

It contains the compound piperine which can enhance absorption, so find that pepper shaker and get ready to mix!

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• Calcium and vitamin D

Both are essential when it comes to the growth and maintenance of healthy bones at any age and provide support for our bones, muscles, and nerves.

A low intake of calcium can lead to problems such as low bone mass and susceptibility to fractures, so it’s important to include it in your diet.

Vitamin D also assists with the absorption of calcium in the body, so you’ll frequently find the two sold together as supplements to increase the effectiveness of the available health benefits.³

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• Soothing balm for muscles and joints

Natural oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, menthol, and lavender can work to ease tension, pain, and inflammation, cooling and soothing problem areas and offering general joint support.

They’re also considered a safe, cost-effective addition to any pre-existing pain management strategies!⁴

• Glucosamine & chondroitin

Glucosamine & chondroitin are proteins found naturally around our joint and cartilage tissue, and are essential for healthy joint, tendon, and ligament function.⁵

Our Holland & Barrett Max Strength Glucosamine & Chondroitin Capsules contain ginger root extract which helps support the mobility of your joints.

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• Devil's claw 

The British Herbal Medicine Association (BHMA) says that devil’s claw can be used as a traditional herbal medicine for the relief of backache, rheumatic or muscular pain, and general aches and pains in the muscles and joints.⁶

Studies have found it to help with lower back pain, rheumatic pain and osteoarthritis pain. 

Read more about how devil's claw can help with joint pain in our article on its benefits, dosage and side effects. 

Summary

• Taking supplements depends on your age and needs and should be discussed with a medical professional
• There are a variety of different supplements, including turmeric, calcium and vitamin D, soothing balms for muscles and joints, glucosamine & chondroitin tablets, and devil's claw tablets, all of which support joint health in a variety of ways

5 of the best joint care supplements

So, now that we know which supplements are good for joints, let's take a look at some recommendations from our very own H&B nutritionist, Isabel Tarrant. 

Here are five of the best joint care supplements available today. 

1. Holland & Barrett High Strength Turmeric with Black Pepper

Customer rating: 4.6/5 stars

Vegan: Yes

Containing 1,200mg of turmeric powder, these high strength capsules are paired with black pepper to help with absorption and provide your body with the full range of associated health benefits.

Take one capsule twice a day with meals.

2. Holland & Barrett Calcium plus Vitamin D

Customer rating: 4.5/5

Vegan: No

These capsules have been designed with healthy bones and muscle function in mind, combining 600mg of calcium with vitamin D to increase absorption.

Take one or two tablets daily, preferably with meals.

3. Puressentiel Muscle and Joints Soothing Balm 

Customer rating: 4.8/5

Vegan: No 

This soothing balm contains 14 essential oils, including eucalyptus, wintergreen, juniper, lavender, and peppermint for the purpose of soothing and relaxing the body from pain and stress.

Massage into joints and muscles, three times a day, until well-absorbed. Wash hands after applying.

4. Holland & Barrett Max Strength Glucosamine & Chondroitin Tablets - with ginger root extract  

Customer rating: 4.6/5 stars

Vegan: No

Containing 888mg of glucosamine, 1,300mg of chondroitin, and 400mg of MSM, these tablets help to support your ongoing joint health with ease. Here’s the breakdown of what each of those ingredients is doing for you:

Glucosamine: The building block of cartilage and joint tissue, found in the synovial fluid, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

Chondroitin: Another essential building block of cartilage, acting as a shock absorber around the joints in humans and animals.

MSM: A natural form of organic sulphur which helps the body’s production of glycosaminoglycans (key components of cartilage).

Simply take one of these glucosamine tablets three times a day – preferably with meals.

5. Holland & Barrett Devils Claw 100 Capsules

Customer rating: 4.4/5 stars

Vegan: Yes

Containing 427mg of devil's claw root extract, this is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of general aches and pains in muscles and joints.

Simply take 1 capsule twice a day - preferably with meals. 

What are the side effects of taking joint care supplements?

When it comes to side effects from taking muscle and joint vitamins or supplements, reports are mixed and requiring further study.

Some—like glucosamine and chondroitin—a combination beneficial for joint, tendon, and ligament health, could carry a potential risk of:^7,8

• Headaches
• Heartburn
• Vision problems

While others, like calcium, may lead to:⁹

• Stomach discomfort
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Meanwhile, the most common side effect revolves around the use of balms or oils on the joints, as it may result in:

• Skin irritation
• Breathing discomfort
• Reactions in susceptible individuals

Are joint care supplements suitable for everyone?

We all need to take care of our joints, from simple tasks like walking or shopping to more strenuous forms of physical activity.

But ultimately, suitability depends on you and what your specific needs are.

Weigh up the benefits and potential side effects and discuss any questions with a medical professional.

You have loads of options to choose from, each offering support and relief so you can enjoy your life the way you deserve.

Summary

• There are a range of supplements available designed to help you take care of your joints
• There may be potential side effects of taking joint care supplements, but more information is needed. 
• A common side effect comes from using balms or oils and can result in skin rashes, breathing problems, or allergic reactions
• Choosing a joint care supplement depends on you and your needs

Joint care supplements: The summary

That brings us to the end of your need-to-know guide on everything related to joint care supplements, including why healthy joints are important, what’s good for them, some products to try out, and any important side effects for you to be aware of.

You’re now ready to show your joints who’s boss!

If you’d like to know other ways to help your joints, check out ‘Why is flexibility important?’ and ‘How to keep a healthy back for life’.

Last updated: 16 August 2021