No matter your age, vocation, level of sportiness or activity, joint pain can slowly creep in and affect your knees, hips, spine, arms, neck, or hands on a daily basis.
The word ‘arthritis’ sound incredibly scary and intimidating, but we’re here to demystify the condition that affects approximately 10 million people across the UK and offer some simple, supplemental solutions to help improve your daily life.
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Often develops in people in their mid-40s or older, however it’s also more common in women and people with a family history of the condition.
Nevertheless, according to the NHS, it can occur at any age as a result of an injury or be associated with other joint-related conditions, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
The NHS webpage for arthritis describes how osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, making movement more difficult than usual, which leads to pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs called osteophytes.
Severe loss of cartilage can lead to bone rubbing on bone, altering the shape of the joint and forcing the bones out of their normal position.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Less common than osteoarthritis, in this condition, the body’s immune system targets affected joints. This leads to pain and swelling across the joint.
Treatment
Sadly, there’s no cure for arthritis, but there are many ways you can help to manage your symptoms and attempt to slow it down – including various lifestyle changes, medicines and possibly surgery in the long-term.
Whether you’re aware of a family history of joint pain and are looking for some preventative care, or you’re a long-time sufferer in the market for some extra relief alongside your prescribed treatment plan, we’ve rounded up some of the best supplements for you.
Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil, Unflavoured
If you’re well acquainted with joint pain, or simply have read David Almond’s Skellig as part of your Year 8 curriculum, you’ll likely be aware of the benefits of cod liver oil in the treatment of achy bones.
Chock full of fatty acids, Omega-3 and vitamins A and D, cod liver oil is an essential for anyone looking to repair or prevent joint damage. This is mainly because the fatty acids and Omega-3 are able to reduce the release of certain enzymes that play a major part in joint inflammation, according to Versus Arthritis, experts in care, research and treatment development. Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant, while vitamin D helps to promote an all-over healthy musculoskeletal system.
Due to the often-unpleasant taste of fish oil, most people prefer taking their daily dose in capsule form. As such, it’s important to check whether the supplement you’re taking is well purified and not artificially bolstered with extra vitamins.
Luckily for you, we’ve already had a browse. These non-GMO capsules from Nordic Naturals are made from 100 per cent wild Arctic cod with no artificial additives. Unflavoured and third-party purity tested, it’s cod liver oil, pure and simple.
Buy now £28.99, Amazon
Solgar Vitamin D3 1000IU 90 Tablets
Vitamin D helps to support the normal regulation of calcium and phosphates in the body, which in turn helps the overall health of bones.
Though we often think of vitamin D as a singular supplement, it actually comes in two main forms: vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. The main difference between the two is that vitamin D3 comes from animal sources, whereas vitamin D2 comes from plants. Vitamin D3 is also produced by the skin, exposed to sunlight, while vitamin D2 is not.
These 1000IU (international unit) tablets from Solgar are suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Solgar have been making vitamins for 75 years which are distributed in over 60 countries across the globe – needless to say, they’re a trustworthy brand.
The NHS do not recommend taking more than 4000IU of vitamin D a day. You should also consult your doctor if you’re unsure of the right dosage for you.
Buy now £8.79, Holland & Barrett
Bulk Glucosamine & Chondroitin 700mg
Glucosamine and Chondroitin complex supplements provide a variety of benefits for your joint health, and they’re the most well-known amongst many arthritis sufferers.
Acting as the building blocks for the cartilage in your body. Glucosamine is found in the fluid surrounding the joints, while Chrondroitin forms a structural component of the cartilage itself.
These high-potency and highly rated and reviewed capsules from Bulk contain 500mg Glucosamine Sulphate and 200mg Chondroitin Sulphate per individual tablet.
Shellfish allergy sufferers beware, as Glucosamine is extracted from a substance in shellfish.
Buy now £11.69, Bulk
Solgar Ultimate Bone Support Tablets
If you’re sick and tired of the number of supplements in your daily pillbox, and you’re merely looking for an all-rounder preventative remedy, this Ultimate Bone Support supplement from Solgar might be for you.
Combining calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, boron, and vitamin D to help maintain the health and strength of your bones, these tablets are vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Reviewers note that, because of how jam-packed these pills are, they’re quite large and can be difficult to swallow. Rest assured, you’ll get the same effects by crushing the supplement or breaking it in half.
Buy now £37.99, Holland & Barrett
Nutri Within turmeric 500mg
Turmeric is a superfood ingredient which has become increasingly popular in the world of health foods and supplements. Believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, many sufferers of joint pain take turmeric supplements for additional relief.
However, it is important to note that there is little clinical evidence to support these claims, and you should still consult a healthcare professional before implementing turmeric in your diet.
These supplements from Nutri Within do not contain any artificial sweeteners or preservatives, are suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and are gluten free. Containing 500mg of pure turmeric powder and none of the bad stuff for a very low price, these are a sure-fire bargain.
Buy now £2.99, Lloyds Pharmacy
Nature’s Best Starflower Oil 1000mg, High Strength
Starflower seeds are one of the best-known sources of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that cannot be produced by the body alone. Rather, it has to be obtained through linolenic acid which is also found in hemp, safflower and sunflower oils or through supplementation.
Omega-6 not only helps to maintain bone health, but it can also worth to regulate the metabolism, stimulate skin and hair growth, and also support the female reproductive system pre- and post-menopause.
These high-strength capsules contain a guaranteed level of 215mg of GLA, sourced from borage farmed in the UK.
Buy now £14.50, Nature’s Best
Cannaray Bright Days CBD Oil Drops
Cannaray has made a splash on the CBD scene with its bright yellow branding and has the chops to match. The brand focuses on making cannabidiol more accessible and less uncertain to those who are concerned about delving in.
The formula is marketed as the ‘Gold Standard’ by the label and the lab tests back this up with its premium extract product that has been triple-lab tested for purity. The label is scientifically backed and is consistently researching to innovate supported by CBD expert medical practitioners and scientists. You can trace the batch from farm to finish where it remains free from any toxins, specifically THC, genetically modified ingredients, artificial colours, sulphates or dairy. It’s also vegan and is crafted with sustainable practises - minimal packaging and limited carbon emissions.
The product itself is also designed to give you the perfect quantity. The dropper is measured to 1ml and this is the daily dose that should be placed under your tongue and left there for 90 seconds to absorb before you swallow.
The ever-growing range contains oils for night and day as well as balms and gummies. The latter mark a great introduction and an easy way to incorporate CBD into your schedule with the taste factor guaranteed (a lovely orange flavour) and the exact daily dosing. These capsules also combine CBD with Vitamin D3, C and Zinc for an added boost to energy levels and the immune system.
Yet it’s the brand’s Bright Days that is the bestseller and it’s clear why. Incorporate just one drop into your life and you may just feel a gentle lift. Slight aches and pains felt unremarkable and quality of sleep was greatly enhanced. The bonus of coconut oil and the lime and juniper flavouring marks a pleasant, revitalising way to start the day. The oil contains five per cent CBD.
Buy now £18.00, Cannaray
Tower Health CBD Patches
These little patches might not be transparent like some of the others on the market – instead, they look more like a traditional pink plaster – but they’re still a discrete, waterproof and hypoallergenic way to get your daily dose of CBD. As well as containing 12mg of high strength CBD oil and hemp oil, they’re also blended with a range of natural ingredients specifically chosen for their pain-relieving properties.
One of the more unusual ingredients you’ll find in the patches is pomegranate, which recent studies have shown can reduce symptoms of arthritis by decreasing joint tenderness and swelling – something CBD is also known to be particularly good for. Alongside that there’s anti-inflammatory turmeric and antioxidant-rich green tea, which can help reduce blood fat levels and improve brain health. All in all, it’s a mighty cocktail to find in one small patch.
30 patches.
Buy now £44.95, Tower Health
