Your joints are the places where two or more of your bones meet, and joints allow you to bend and move your various body segments. Joints are also a common location for pain and problems. Joint pain, according to Medline Plus, may be caused by numerous factors, including injuries and certain chronic health problems. Before using dietary supplements to help improve your joint health, review the risks and benefits of this treatment method with your health-care practitioner.
Joint Conditions
One of the most common joint-related conditions is arthritis. The National Health Service of the United Kingdom states that there are many types of arthritis, and that arthritis may cause several symptoms, including joint pain, inflammation, stiffness and swelling. Other conditions that may affect your joints include fractures, muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendinitis, bursitis, gout and various infectious diseases. Joint-related symptoms can range from mild to severe. In some cases, joint conditions can impair your ability to perform your activities of daily living.
Effective Supplements
Many dietary supplements may be effective in improving the health and function of your joints and treating your joint pain, although not all supplements used for these health purposes have been extensively studied in clinical research settings. Naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist Russell B. Marz, author of "Medical Nutrition From Marz," states that omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin E, selenium, primrose oil, ginger, curcumin, bromelain, GAGs, yucca, glucosamine sulfate, boron, cod liver oil, vitamin C, SAMe and pantothenic acid may be helpful in treating various joint problems and dysfunction.
Featured Dietary Supplement
Chondroitin sulfate is a frequently prescribed dietary supplement to help improve your joint health. According to MayoClinic.com, chondroitin sulfate is a substance that may help stop -- and possibly reverse -- the damage caused by osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. Chondroitin sulfate is an important substance in producing cartilage. Supplemental chondroitin sulfate is commonly derived from animal sources, including powdered shark cartilage or bovine trachea cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate may be used in conjunction with glucosamine sulfate.
Disclaimer
Joint problems should be evaluated by a skilled health-care practitioner, because there are many possible causes of joint pain and other joint-related symptoms. Your health-care provider can assess your health complaint and make valuable individualized treatment recommendations to address your problems. Before using dietary supplements to help treat your joint problems, discuss all relevant supplement-related topics -- dosage, treatment duration, side effects -- with a clinical nutrition specialist.
References
- Medline Plus: Joint Pain
- National Health Service: Joint Pain
- "Medical Nutrition From Marz"; Russell B. Marz, N.D.; 1999
- MayoClinic.com: Chondroitin Sulfate
