Relief From Joint Pain: Get Back to Doing the Things You Love
Jan 16, 2023
If you have stiff, tired, achy joints, this blog is for YOU! But before I begin discussing the ways that you can minimize or completely remove these symptoms by taking supplements, I would like to remind you that every person is different. Supplements do not work the same for each person and it is important for you to listen to your body and also check with your health professional about possible interactions with medications before you begin anything new.
When I look at supplements, I like to get the most “bang for my buck.” Omega-3’s would fit into this category as they aid with brain function, metabolic health, and reducing the inflammation possibly affecting your joints. You can learn more about Omega-3s in my previous vlog here.
For anyone not taking fish oil or Omega-3’s, I would suggest that you start here. If you have been taking them and have not yet experienced any of the many benefits they provide, then I would look at safely increasing your dosage or changing the brand you use. The key ingredient that is most beneficial to joints is EPA and a product with high levels of this is AquaOmega. It’s made by a Canadian company, tastes great and if you are local to HRM you can purchase it at Parks Health Shop.
The next supplement that I would suggest you add is curcumin which is the active ingredient in turmeric. Turmeric has been widely known for providing anti-inflammatory benefits; however, it is difficult to dose and to get enough of the active ingredient if we are just “sprinkling it” on our food/beverages. I also would like to note that there are studies that show if you take Omega-3’s and curcumin together it can give you the same anti-inflammatory outcomes as taking ibuprofen or naproxen (as it works on the same biochemical pathways) with much fewer side effects.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that is involved with the production of hair and nails, helps to strengthen bones, and aids in repairing and growing muscles. Collagen lessens as we age so taking it as a supplement can certainly help in the arena of “anti-aging”. My mother has been taking collagen for 20 years and still has radiant, youthful-looking skin at 78 years old! It’s thought that when you up your collagen intake, the extra protein accumulates in the cartilage between your joints and causes a decrease in pain and inflammation.
If your joint pain and stiffness are persistent or if you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, I would suggest trying Natural Egg Membrane or NEM. NEM is said to act as a source of collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and calcium, all of which have been investigated extensively for osteoarthritis treatment (based on an article from McGill University). This supplement is not overly expensive and should begin working in 7 to 14 days. At the end of 30 days, I would discontinue taking it if you have not had any improvement in your symptoms.
The last of the joint supplements are Glucosamine and MSM. On their own, they have been shown to help with arthritis symptoms about 50% of the time. Some trials have studied them being used together and this has proven to provide a more significant reduction in both pain and swelling in the joints. Again, if these supplements are not improving the pain, stiffness, and swelling in your joints, you should discontinue using them.
To recap, I would add Omega-3 (with high EPA), curcumin, and collagen to your health regime. If you are still suffering from joint issues I would add NEM first and then try a product with MSM and glucosamine. Removing things from your diet can also help with inflammation. If you are ready to tackle the root causes of your inflammation, please email me at [email protected] to receive your FREE copy of my e-book, Inflammation and Aging Guide.