Top 5 Best Joint Supplements
[Updated 2024]
5
Supplements Reviewed
44
Hours of Research
100+
Reviews Examined
3
Experts Interviewed
Published by David Williams
As an engineer, David loves technical product comparison and analyzing the data to assess top products.
Table of Contents
Like many dietary supplements, supplements for joint pain come in a variety of options. They can contain different ingredients, promote different health benefits, and have wildly different price tags, as well as numerous other things that can vary from one supplement to the next.
The problem is, given all of the unusual ingredients that joint supplements will often contain, people without expertise in the area often won’t know the difference between two choices. This can make choosing the best product for them extremely challenging.
That is why we have used our expertise to try and help you out. In the following article, we will show you the very best supplements for joint pain currently on the market, to ensure that everyone can make an educated decision which will provide the outcomes that they desire.
What Are Joint Supplements?
Joint supplements are natural dietary supplements that can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription, and are designed to help support joint health or aid physical therapy.
They can provide significant pain relief, even for people suffering from chronic joint pain or conditions like arthritis, while also offering a variety of different benefits, such as reducing inflammation, promoting cartilage growth, and enhancing joint function.
What To Look For In Joint Health Supplements
While joint health supplements may all appear very similar, not all joint supplements work in the same way or have the same goals. If you want to enjoy optimal joint health, it is vital that you know what to look for, so that you can find the correct joint supplement for you.
Ingredients
The ingredients are the most important part of any joint supplement, as the proven health benefits they are able to offer will determine just what effects a supplement will have. They will also determine if a joint supplement can cause any side effects or allergic reactions as well.
Ingredients like collagen, MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin are among the most popular and effective ingredients. You then have things like turmeric supplements and vitamins and minerals in a slightly lower category.
Joint supplements that contain as many of these as possible are usually among the best. While there are other ingredients that are good for promoting healthy joints, many will be a little less effective or proven, so it is best to avoid joint supplements that rely on them entirely.
Dosages
While the ingredients do determine how joint health supplements work, the dosages that they are present in play an equally important role. When examining a joint health supplement, be sure to check that it contains effective ingredients in doses that actually offer proven benefits.
Price
The final thing to be aware of when buying joint supplements is the price.
Some joint supplements will be cheap, but this is often because they are ineffective. On the flip side, some will be effective but horribly overpriced. You ideally want to choose joint support supplements that can offer a nice mix of both efficacy and value.
The Best Joint Supplements [2024]
FlexAgain
Ingredient Quality
Price
Overall Score
Arthro-7
Ingredient Quality
Price
Overall Score
Glucosamine
Ingredient Quality
Price
Overall Score
#1 FlexAgain - Best Joint Supplement Overall
FlexAgain is a joint pain supplement that consists of natural ingredients that provide proven health benefits, such as treating joint pain and boosting joint health, and all are present in their optimal dosages.
Its formula includes:
- 1,100 mg of omega 3 fatty acids
- 15 mcg of vitamin D
- 70 mcg of vitamin K2
- 250 mg of ginger and blue galangal extract
- 100 mg of bromelain
- 500 mg of curcumin from turmeric extracts
- 100 mg of resveratrol
- 50 mg of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- 400 mg of glucosamine sulfate
- 250 mg of chondroitin sulfate
- 100 mg of boswellic acid from boswellia serrata
Features
The detailed FlexAgain formula allows it to reduce joint pain and support joint health from a wide range of angles.
The omega 3 fatty acids will lubricate your joints, promote the growth of new connective tissue, and provide relief from arthritis pain relief. In using algae oil it contains the ideal blend of DHA and EPA (the types of omega 3 fatty acids that help joints, unlike plant oils which contain mostly AHA.
Vitamin D deficiencies are proven to cause joint pain, so ensuring you don’t develop one by taking vitamin d in supplement form will prevent joint pain or stop current symptoms caused by other conditions from getting worse.
Vitamin K has then been shown to have the potential to greatly reduce osteoarthritis pain and symptoms.
Ginger has repeatedly been proven to help reduce inflammation, which is not only one of the most frequent causes of joint pain but also one of the primary things that can stop it from improving.
The arthritis foundation then also say that using it with blue galangal extract can make it as much as 12 times more potent, making the two a perfect combination for people who are trying to reduce joint pain.
Boswellic acid, resveratrol, and turmeric supplements have all been demonstrated to be potent anti oxidants with incredible anti inflammatory capabilities. This means that they can help to ease joint pain while protecting the joints and cartilage from any further damage.
Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate supplements are often put together as they work in perfect harmony to relieve pain even in those dealing with chronic joint pain. It is especially useful for treating arthritis pain, as well as any other symptoms caused by the condition.
MSM and bromelain also both improve joint pain and arthritis symptoms. However, they also offer the unique benefit of being able to both improve and restore joint function. While more study is needed to show just how effective they are at doing this, they are still definitely a great ingredient to include. (1)
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews of FlexAgain are admittedly a little limited. However, those that are available suggest that it is truly one of the best joint pain supplements on the market.
Different reviews mentioned it relieving joint pain, as well as it being able to improve joint function and joint health.
In fact, the only reviews that weren’t glowing were those that either didn’t like the fact that it could only be bought from the official website or felt that it was a little expensive. Even then though, they still admitted it could provide good value, given just how effective of a joint supplement FlexAgain actually is.
Pros
- Each of the ingredients is proven to be beneficial for your joint health.
- An optimal dose that is both safe and effective has been included of every ingredient.
- Can help to relieve joint pain and restore optimal joint health and functions simultaneously.
- Can treat arthritis pain and help with all of the other symptoms of the condition.
Cons
- A little on the expensive side and only available directly from the manufacturer.
#2 U.S. Doctors' Clinical Arthro-7 Healthy Joint Support - Best Joint Supplement For Rheumatoid Arthritis
U.S. Doctors’ Clinical Arthro-7 Healthy Joint Support is a joint pain supplement marketed to people suffering from arthritis pain or trying to achieve better bone health or joint health.
Its formula consists exclusively of ingredients that are proven to help with maintaining healthy joints, all of which are GMO and gluten free.
It has 100 mg of vitamin c (as ascorbic acid) and a 1170 mg AR7 Joint Complex proprietary blend of collagen (from chicken), cetyl myristoleate (CMO), lipase 30, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), turmeric (curcuma longa root extract, 95% curcumin), and bromelain (from pineapple, 2400 GDU).
Features
U.S. Doctors’ Clinical Arthro-7 Healthy Joint Support is deigned to support joint mobility and health and nourish the joints and cartilage. It is also one of the more reasonably priced joint supplements currently on the market.
While it leaves out some of the most popular joint supplement ingredients, it uses plenty that are proven to boost joint health, treat joint pain, and help people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin c is known to not only reduce joint inflammation, but it can also improve your overall joint health and prevent arthritis.
Collagen, meanwhile, is itself one of the primary building blocks of the tissue in the joint. This means, beyond being an anti inflammatory and reducing joint pain, it can also aid the growth of new tissues, promoting recovery, boosting joint health, and treating arthritis pain.
Cetyl myristoleate is a type of cetylated fatty acid that has been proven to benefit both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. It can provide significant relief from severe joint pain, especially in the back. (2)
Lipase 30 is then an enzyme that breaks down larger triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol, allowing them to help lubricate the joints and relieve joint stiffness and pain. (3)
The MSM and bromelain will treat joint pain and arthritis symptoms and enhance joint functions, while the anti inflammatory effects of turmeric will reduce joint swelling and pain and allow for faster healing.
Unfortunately, putting all of the ingredients except the vitamin c into one proprietary blend masks the dosages, meaning that, while we know it can help with chronic pain in the joints, at least short term, we don’t know how beneficial to joint health it will be in the long term.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews of U.S. Doctors’ Clinical Arthro-7 Healthy Joint Support appear to be quite promising, as it has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon. When looking at the positive reviews, most people did seem to experience some level of joint pain relief.
However, when we looked at the negative reviews, there were people that suggested they only experienced mild pain relief, while others said they were still experiencing joint pain of an identical level.
This suggests that it will not be effective for everyone, possibly due to low dosages, but the proprietary blend makes it impossible to determine exactly why that is.
Pros
- Has a very reasonable price tag
- Contains ingredients that are proven to relieve joint pain.
- Capable of treating the symptoms of both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.
Cons
- Most of the ingredients are lumped in a proprietary blend, which makes it impossible to know the exact dosages the product contains or the long term effects it can offer.
#3 Vimerson Health Vegan Glucosamine Chondroitin Phytodroitin MSM & Burdock Root - Best Joint Supplements For Vegans
Vimerson Health Vegan Glucosamine Chondroitin Phytodroitin MSM & Burdock Root is a rare example of a joint supplement that is designed to offer improved joint health benefits without using animal based products like fish oil supplements or collagen.
This makes it ideal for people following a plant based lifestyle, as its vegan formula instead has 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate sodium, 200 mg of vegan MSM, 100 mg of burdock root extract 4:1, and 500 mg of phytodroitin, a vegan form of chondroitin.
Features
As a totally vegan supplement, it is a great choice for people hoping to achieve chronic joint pain relief or total joint health, without having to compromise on their morals. Being very reasonably priced also makes it one of the most accessible joint pain supplements you will find.
Burdock root extract is the supplement’s unique ingredient, and it is used as a vegan source of essential omega 3 fatty acids, to help lubricate the joints and increase their level of mobility. (4)
The MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin supplements will then work together to treat chronic pain in the joints, as well as both the pain and the symptoms caused by both types of arthritis.
There are, admittedly, a couple of issues. For starters, not as much study has been done on the vegan versions of the ingredients, so we don’t have as much information on just how it will effect you as we would on something like a traditional fish oil.
Similarly, as there are a limited number of ingredients that you can put in a vegan joint health supplement, Vimerson Health have included very high doses of everything that they have used. While this could make it more effective, it also increases the risk of side effects.
Despite these issues though, if you are a vegan trying to find supplements for joint pain, this is still one of the better options you will find.
Customer Reviews
With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, the Vimerson Health product certainly looks good on the surface. This then seems to continue when you look at the positive reviews, which suggest it can help with both joint and muscle pain.
However, there are also negative reviews that talk about it providing little to no benefit, while others mentioned it causing adverse effects on their stomach.
This seems to support our findings that, while it can be a beneficial supplement, it is best reserved for vegans who struggle to find supplements for joint pain that use more researched and proven ingredients.
Pros
- Using plant based ingredients and no fish oil or collagen makes it ideal for vegans.
- Is able to improve joint mobility and health, and reduce joint discomfort.
- Very reasonably priced
Cons
- Some of the dosages are quite high, which puts you at risk of experiencing side effects.
- The vegan ingredients are less studied or proven than the more traditional options.
#4 Nuzena Joint Support + - Best Joint Supplements On A Budget
Nuzena Joint Support + is a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement made to support both joint and bone health, promote cartilage production, and improve mobility. It aims to achieve this by using an anti inflammatory formula that can benefit all parts of the body.
It contains 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate and 150 mg of chondroitin sulfate, as well as 200 mg of boswellia extract, 150 mg of turmeric, 25 mg of bromelain, 25 mg of quercetin, 25 mg of MSM, and 25 mg of methionine.
Features
Most of the ingredients in Nuzena Joint Support + are common in the top joint supplements, as they can reduce inflammation and joint pain and help to treat arthritis. However, quercetin and methionine are both quite unique.
Quercetin is a flavonoid that can be found in various foods and plants and is known to reduce joint inflammation and treat certain autoimmune diseases and their symptoms, such as arthritis. (5)
Methionine is an essential amino acid that is a precursor to various antioxidants. It can aid cell metabolism, reduce inflammation, and treat conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, while working particularly well when combined with glucosamine supplements. (6)
Admittedly, with the exception of glucosamine sulfate, the ingredient dosages are all lower than optimal. However, there is still enough of each present to be of some use, making Nuzena Joint Support + a good choice for people with joint pain who are shopping on a budget.
Customer Reviews
The Nuzena product has a fairly average 3.7 our of 5 stars average rating on Amazon.
Some reviews suggested that the glucosamine and chondroitin supplements allowed it to have a great anti inflammatory effect and improve their pain levels, but others said that they saw no benefits at all, while others mentioned experiencing mild side effects.
This supports our suggestion that it is not a perfect product, but it can be a great choice if you are shopping on a tight budget.
Pros
- All of the ingredients are proven to benefit joint health.
- Contains a significant dose of glucosamine sulfate
- Extremely affordable
Cons
- Most of the ingredient dosages are far lower than optimal.
#5 Animal Flex - Most Popular Joint Supplements
Animal Flex is a joint supplement made by Universal Nutrition that is targeted at athletes and designed to repair connective tissue and protect, maintain, and lubricate joints, while improving their health, mobility, and function.
The Animal Flex formula is split into three separate blends, the Joint Construction Complex, Joint Lubrication Complex, and Joint Support Complex.
The Joint Construction Complex weighs 3,000 mg and contains glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate a and c, and MSM. The Joint Lubrication Complex weighs 1,000 mg and has flax seed oil and cetyl myristoleate.
Finally, the Joint Support Complex uses ginger root, turmeric root, boswellia serrata extract, quercetin, and bromelain.
Features
MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin is the best joint supplement combo to reduce joint pain and treat arthritis, making the Construction Complex ideal to enhance the joint space itself.
All of the ingredients in the Support Complex are then potent anti-inflammatories, which will enhance this effect while creating the perfect conditions in which for recovery to occur.
Flax seed oil and cetyl myristoleate are both fatty acids that are great alternatives to fish oil supplements for lubricating the joints. These are all then supported by vitamins and minerals, to boost your immune system and enable effective healing.
This should make Animal Flex one of the best natural joint supplements around. The only issue is that all of the ingredients are lumped together in three separate proprietary blends.
This hides to exact dosage of each ingredient that is present, making it impossible to know if there is enough present to provide the desired effects. As we can see even through these blends that some are under dosed though, this is, admittedly a little bit of a concern.
Customer Reviews
Animal Flex has an average rating of 4.55 out of 5 on Amazon, which, combined with its popularity, suggests it is a good product.
The positive reviews show people generally felt better and experienced lower levels of joint pain while using Animal Flex.
However, other reviews claimed to experience minimal benefits or none at all, while there were mentions of people experiencing side effects on occasion, including jitters, stomach pains, and other gastrointestinal issues.
This suggests that Animal Flex is an ok supplement that may be able to help with joint pain, but it is best reserved for people who like to use supplements by known brands.
Pros
- Contains useful ingredients, like glucosamine hydrochloride, that benefit all areas of the joint space.
- The vitamin and mineral blend offers extra health benefits and is present in useful doses.
- Contains omega 3 fatty acids that are ideal for people who won't or can't use fish oil supplements.
Cons
- Contains some ingredient doses that are too low and all of them are intentionally hidden.
- Some of the ingredients have not been extensively researched.
- Quite a high price per serving
- Not soy free or suitable for use by vegans or vegetarians
Conclusion: What Are The Best Joint Supplements For Treating Joint Pain?
When looking for a joint pain relief supplement, it is vital that you select a product that best meets your own needs. While there are a number of good options available, the most effective joint supplement currently on the market is undoubtedly FlexAgain.
An antioxidant and anti inflammatory, it is rich with optimal doses of proven ingredients. This allows it to reduce inflammation and joint pain, while improving mobility and functioning and promoting the growth and repair of tissues, to provide complete joint health.
If, for some reason, it doesn’t feel like the right product for you, one of the other supplements for joint pain on our list almost certainly will be. However, for everyone else, we highly recommend that you give FlexAgain a try and see the amazng benefits it can offer for yourself.
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FlexAgain | Complete Joint Support
- Proven ingredients to support joint health
- Relieves joint pain
- Protects and repairs cartilage
- Improves overall joint function
- Eliminates Vitamin D deficiency
- Treats both forms of arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid)
- Also improves heart health and immune health
David Williams
A diet and fitness enthusiast, David is an ex-Army Airborne Ranger and Infantry soldier with decades of fitness and wellness experience. A West Point graduate with a degree in engineering, he focuses on technical research related to fitness, nutrition, and wellness. He loves the beach, and spending time with his wife and daughters.
References
- Brien, S., Lewith, G., Walker, A., Hicks, S. M., & Middleton, D. (2004, December). Bromelain as a treatment for osteoarthritis: A review of clinical studies. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC538506/
- WebMD. (n.d.). Cetylated fatty acids (cfas): Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-400/cetylated-fatty-acids-cfas
- Lipase. Lipase – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lipase - Medically reviewed by Anna JonesAnna Jones, X Sw, Handoo, S. H. S., Ms, More, & Writer, H. & W. (2023, March 15). 8 benefits of burdock root, nutritional facts, & side effects. STYLECRAZE. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-burdock-roots-for-skin-hair-and-health/
- Raman, R. (2023, February 9). What is quercetin? benefits, foods, dosage, and side effects. Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/quercetin - Yamagishi, Y., Igarashi, M., Suzuki, A., Suguro, S., Hirano, S.-I., & Nagaoka, I. (2012, October). Evaluation of the effect of Methionine and glucosamine on adjuvant arthritis in rats. Experimental and therapeutic medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3501438/
