The Best Supplements for Joint Pain, Knee Support and Arthritis (2024)
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Living with stiff, achy joints can be difficult, especially when your joint pain starts interfering with your everyday life. For those days when the old ice-pack just isn't getting it done, you might consider checking out some of today's best supplements for joint health. Some supplements may be able to help target the cause of your joint pain and give you some relief, in combination with your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
We’ve evaluated the best supplements for joint pain in 2024, including each one's pros and cons, so that you can decide which one best fits your needs and lifestyle. Drawing on my experience as a registered dietitian, we'll also examine how common ingredients in joint pain supplements work with your body to provide relief.
Our Picks for Best Supplement for Joint Pain (2024):
- Best All-In-One Supplement for Joint Pain: Physio Flex Pro
- Best Collagen Supplement for Joint Pain: BUBS Naturals Collagen
- Best Supplement for Joint Pain for Inflammation: Transparent Labs Curcumin C3 Complex
- Best Joint Support Bundle: Utzy Naturals Joint Health Bundle
- Best OTC Supplement for Joint Pain: Legion Athletics Fortify
- Best Supplement for Joint Pain To Reduce Aches: Physio Flex Pro
- Best Budget Supplement for Joint Pain: Doctor’s Best Chondroitin MSM
- Best Gummy Supplement for Joint Pain: Future Kind Turmeric & Ginger Happy Joints Gummies
Best All-In-One Supplement for Joint Pain: Physio Flex Pro
Physio Flex Pro
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Selenium, glucosamine HCL, bromelain, ginger root extract, turmeric extract, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), BioPerine
- Certifications: Made in a cGMP-verified facility
- Subscription: No subscription, but bundle and save options available
- Best for: People with joint pain, people who prefer capsule supplements
- Price per serving: $1.94
You can think of the Physio Flex Pro formula in two parts: reducing inflammation and building strong cartilage, ligaments and other joint tissues. This two part formula is based on seven natural ingredients that are dosed at levels that have proven effective in research. The formula’s eighth ingredient is BioPerine, which is a branded black pepper extract that is included to help your body absorb the other nutrients more efficiently.
The anti-inflammatory ingredients are turmeric extract, ginger root extract, bromelain and selenium. Studies show that combining turmeric extract and ginger root extract is effective at reducing overall inflammation. Bromelain is an enzyme from pineapple that can reduce muscular pain, arthritic joint pain and inflammation all over your body. Selenium is slightly different in that your body uses it to help regulate excessive immune responses and chronic inflammation.
The joint tissue building ingredients are glucosamine HCL, chondroitin sulfate and MSM. In one small study, glucosamine HCL significantly reduced pain in the knees and hips while walking or standing, and reduced stiffness at rest in patients with arthritis. Your body uses chondroitin sulfate to regulate cells, and research suggests that using it as part of a supplement for joint pain can help maintain structural integrity of joints and slow muscular degeneration. The final ingredient is MSM, which can significantly increase range of motion in joints affected by inflammation and arthritis while reducing pain.
Bottom line: each ingredient in Physio Flex Pro is backed by research and may make a difference for you if you’re suffering from joint pain.
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Pros:
- All natural ingredients backed by research
- Each purchase includes a free guide with stretches, exercises and recovery tips that can help with joint pain
- A physiotherapist helped develop the formula
Cons:
- Premium pricing with no subscription discounts available
Best Collagen Supplement for Joint Pain: BUBS Naturals Collagen
BUBS Naturals
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Bovine hide collagen peptides
- Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport, Whole30 Approved
- Subscription: Choose frequency, 15% off
- Best for: Athletes, people with joint health concerns
- Price per serving: $1.43
BUBS Naturals offers high-quality sports supplements like collagen, MCT oil and electrolyte powders. Their collagen is natural, unflavored and sourced from bovine (cow) hide. Supplemental collagen may help reduce joint pain in active people, according to a study in Current Medical Research and Opinion. This supplement is also NSF Certified for Sport, so it’s free of banned substances and safe for athletes to use.
Reviewers like it and say it works well, although it may take a long period of consistent use before you’re able to see the benefits of collagen supplementation.
To take the supplement, mix two scoops into your beverage of choice.
Pros:
- Contains only one ingredient
- Whole30 Approved
- NSF Certified for Sport
Cons:
- Unflavored is the only flavor available
Related Post: The Best Supplements for Runners
Best Supplement for Joint Pain for Inflammation: Transparent Labs Curcumin C3 Complex
Transparent Labs
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Curcumin C3 Complex, Bioperine (black pepper extract)
- Certifications: Third-party tested by Analytical Resource Labs
- Subscription: Choose frequency, 10% off
- Best for: People who have been advised to take turmeric, people with inflammatory joint pain
- Price per serving: $0.33
This product from Transparent Labs features curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant found in turmeric. The inclusion of black pepper extract can help to boost the body’s absorption of curcumin by up to 2,000 percent.
All of the reviews on this product are positive, with several reviewers commenting that they felt improvements in their joint pain from taking it. However, it does contain some additional ingredients like rice flour and magnesium stearate.
Transparent Labs says that you can take one capsule up to twice per day. It’s best taken before meals.
Related: Everything You Need to Know to Find the Best Turmeric Supplement for You
Pros:
- Third-party tested
- Contains black pepper extract to boost absorption
- Highly rated
Cons:
- Contains some additives
Best Joint Support Bundle: Utzy Naturals Joint Health Bundle
Utzy Naturals
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Type II collagen, gelatin hydrolysate (bovine), glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, Boswellia phytosome extract, Devils Claw extract, ginger root
- Certifications: Made in an NSF-certified facility, USDA-certified organic
- Subscription: Subscribers enjoy 5% savings and free shipping, and the bundle is shipped every 30 days. Subscription can be modified or canceled at any time
- Best for: Those who want long-term joint health support with products bundled that work together to support mobility and longevity
- Price per serving: $3.98
Utzy Naturals offers a Joint Health Bundle that promotes long-term joint health by addressing activity-related discomfort and providing essential nutrients for support through three supplements: Coll-U-Gen, Agilen and Infavinol. Coll-U-Gen contains Fortigel (gelatin hydrolysate) and UC-II (type II)—two clinically researched forms of collagen that could help alleviate joint pain and promote joint function, flexibility and mobility. Dosage instructions state to mix one scoop per day in eight ounces of water or another beverage of choice.
Three capsules of Agilen daily contain 900 milligrams of chondroitin as CS b-Bioactive, an ingredient tested in 20 clinical studies, and 1.5 grams of glucosamine. One 2016 study found that this combination reduced stiffness, pain, swelling, and functional limitation in participants' joints. Two capsules of Inflavinol contain 400 milligrams of ginger root to help prevent inflammation and 250 milligrams of Boswellia phytosome extract, which was shown in a 2019 study to reduce pain and stiffness, significantly improving physical function.
The supplements in the Joint Health Bundle are tested for purity, strength and potency by the brand's in-house laboratory and by a third party. If you are not satisfied with your results, there is a 90-day money back guarantee that provides a full refund for used and unused products.
Pros:
- Bundle option offers comprehensive joint support
- Minimal ingredients
- Third-party tested
- Research-backed ingredients
Cons:
- Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans
- Five capsules and one scoop of collagen may be a lot for some to manage daily
Best OTC Supplement for Joint Pain: Legion Athletics Fortify Joint Support
Legion Athletics
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Meriva® (curcumin), agmatine sulfate, grape seed extract, ApresFlex® (boswellia serrata), UC-II® (undenatured type II collagen)
- Certifications: Made in an NSF-certified, cGMP-compliant facility
- Subscription: Save 10%
- Best for: People who want an all-natural supplement for joint pain that can be easily purchased online
- Price per serving: $1.68 ($0.56 per capsule)
Legion Athletics Fortify is an over-the-counter joint support supplement that uses all-natural ingredients to help bring your joints relief. There are three key ingredients in the Fortify formula and all are patented: Meriva, ApresFlex and UC-II. In a clinical trial of patients with osteoarthritis, Meriva was able to prolong the subjects’ walking distance and reduced their joint pain.
ApresFlex is a patented version of boswellia serrata, a root extract that is used in traditional medicine. There have only been small studies done, but in seven trials with a total of 545 patients, boswellia serrata reduced pain, stiffness and inflammation in the knee. There is no known effective dose of boswellia serrata to achieve these results.
UC-II is a proprietary collagen supplement that can improve knee joint range of motion and reduce inflammation. The effective dose of UC-II is 40 milligrams, which is exactly what Fortify has in the formula.
Pros:
- Effective doses of each ingredient
- Like all Legion products, Fortify is inspected for purity and potency in an ISO 17025 accredited lab
- No artificial ingredients, additives, dyes or sweeteners
Cons:
- Some reviewers complain of an aftertaste from the capsules
Best Supplement for Joint Pain to Reduce Aches: Physio Flex Pro
Physio Flex Pro
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Selenium, glucosamine HCL, bromelain, ginger root extract, turmeric extract, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), BioPerine
- Certifications: Made in a cGMP-verified facility
- Subscription: No subscription, but bundle and save options available
- Best for: People with achy joint pain that lingers throughout the day
- Price per serving: $1.94
Sometimes joint pain from exercise or movement can linger as aches throughout the day, even after you rest. If you’ve experienced those types of aches, Physio Flex Pro might be able to help you. Physio Flex Pro is a joint pain supplement that addresses joint pain through anti-inflammatory ingredients as well as ingredients that help maintain joint tissues like cartilage, ligaments and muscles.
The anti-inflammatory ingredients in Physio Flex Pro are ginger root extract, turmeric extract and bromelain, all of which are naturally sourced. One study compared a combination of ginger root extract, turmeric extract and black pepper extract to a pharmaceutical drug meant to relieve chronic knee pain. The study found that using the herbal blend was just as effective as the drug at relieving pain and stiffness.
However, Physio Flex Pro also includes ingredients that fortify your joint tissues against further degeneration and pain. Chondroitin sulfate is a natural compound that can help maintain joint structure in patients with arthritis and chronic inflammation. The formula also includes MSM, which can help reduce oxidative stress and improve muscle or joint pain while also increasing range of motion of joints affected by inflammation.
The combination of known anti-inflammatory ingredients with joint tissue building ingredients make Phsyio Flex Pro a great option for anyone suffering joint pain that lingers and aches throughout the day.
Pros:
- Formulated to relieve joint pain and repair joint tissues
- Includes eight natural ingredients
- Could improve acute joint pain and achy pain that lingers after movement
Cons:
- Contains shellfish which means it is not vegan and won’t work for people with shellfish allergies
Best Budget Supplement for Joint Pain: Doctor’s Best Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM
Doctor’s Best
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- Percent of daily value: Seven percent chloride, four percent potassium
- Certifications: N/A
- Subscription: N/A
- Best for: People on a budget, people with joint pain
- Price per serving: $0.47
Doctor’s Best is a line of inexpensive dietary supplements. This supplement contains glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM—which have been linked to improvements in joint pain and function, according to a 2017 study in Acta Medica Indonesiana.
Reviewers are very happy with the price of this product, and many say that they can feel a difference when taking it too. However, Doctor’s Best products aren’t third-party tested.
According to Doctor’s Best, you should take four capsules each day with food.
Pros:
- Contains glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM
- Inexpensive
- Highly rated
Cons:
- No third party testing
Best Gummy Supplement for Joint Pain: Future Kind Turmeric & Ginger Happy Joints Gummies
Future Kind +
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Curcumin C3 Complex, ginger root
- Nutrition facts: 15 calories, four grams carbohydrate, two grams added sugar
- Flavors: Turmeric and ginger
- Certifications: N/A
- Subscription: Choose frequency, 20% off
- Sweeteners: Tapioca syrup, raw cane sugar
- Best for: People who prefer gummies, people with joint pain
- Price per serving: $0.83
Future Kind is a brand offering vegan supplements made from high-quality, simple ingredients. These turmeric and ginger gummies contain highly anti-inflammatory curcumin, as well as ginger root—which may help with joint pain relief (although research is inconclusive). However, the gummies contain only 10 milligrams of ginger root per serving, which is a very small amount.
Although reviewers say the texture of these gummies is mushy and the turmeric may stain your fingers yellow, they like the taste, and many have reported feeling improvements in their joints from taking this product.
According to Future Kind, you should take two gummies daily.
Pros:
- Convenient gummy form
- Vegan
- Highly rated
Cons:
- Mushy texture
- May stain fingers yellow
Causes of Joint Pain
There are four major causes of joint pain: injury, aging, excess body weight and inflammation.
Injuries cause pain as a result of trauma to the joints and surrounding muscle, bone and tissue. This pain may or may not be totally resolved as the injury heals, but physical therapy and surgery, if needed, can promote proper healing and minimal lingering pain.
The next major cause of joint pain is aging. As we age, the joints experience “wear and tear”—leading to weakening of the joints and thinning of the connective tissue between bones. When there is minimal connective tissue between the bones, they may scrape or press against each other—causing chronic pain. Having excess weight and obesity can also contribute to wear and tear on the joints, especially the knee joints. When knee pain or other joint pain becomes severe enough, your doctor may diagnose you with osteoarthritis.
The last major cause of joint pain is inflammation. In healthy individuals, inflammation is an immune response that helps the body promote healing in response to illness or injury. When you are injured, the injured body part will become red and swollen. This is inflammation, and it draws more immune cells to that site to begin the healing process.
However, long-term, widespread inflammation is becoming increasingly common. This abnormal immune response can lead to inflammatory joint pain, as well as a variety of other health conditions.
Many joint pain supplements contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, so they are designed to support joint health for people with inflammatory pain.
Vitamins and Other Ingredients to Look For in a Joint Pain Supplement
There are countless joint pain supplements, all with slightly different combinations of ingredients. However, these are some of the most common ingredients you’ll see in joint pain supplements.
Turmeric
Turmeric is relative to ginger with a distinctive, bright yellow color and peppery flavor. It contains the anti-inflammatory agent curcumin.
According to a 2016 review of several studies in the Journal of Medicinal Food, curcumin may help to relieve joint pain and arthritis symptoms.
Still, curcumin isn’t well absorbed by the body, so it’s important that it’s paired with compounds that will increase its bioavailability, like piperine from black pepper.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein found in your joints and skin. It's a matrix that gives structure to these tissues, but also allows for some elasticity (unlike bone, which is a more rigid matrix structure).
Collagen supplementation is thought to help promote additional collagen production in the skin and joints, which could help to reduce joint pain.
A 2019 review in International Orthopaedics found that collagen supplementation could help to reduce stiffness, but didn’t significantly reduce pain.
However, collagen is only found in animal sources, so it’s not vegan-friendly.
Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are a unique type of fat that offer anti-inflammatory effects. Fatty fish like salmon are a particularly good source, which is why fish oil supplements are often recommended for joint pain.
In a 2021 review in Nutrients, researchers found that diet changes and omega-3 supplementation were more helpful for reducing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than diet changes alone.
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally found in cartilage tissue around healthy joints.
The idea behind supplementing with these substances is that they may help rebuild the joint cartilage.
Although the two are often in the same product, a 2018 review in Rheumatology International noted that chondroitin or glucosamine are two supplements that could help relieve knee joint pain.
Anti-inflammatory vitamins
Some joint supplement formulas use vitamins that can help reduce inflammation. Vitamins with anti-inflammatory properties include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K2
How We Chose the Best Supplements for Joint Pain
We chose these supplements based on several criteria. First, we wanted to include a broad cross-section of different active ingredients that may be helpful for joint pain or offer other health benefits related to joint health.
Next, we gravitated toward trusted and reputable brands. Many of the brands on our list have their products tested or certified through third-party agencies. This helps ensure product quality and manufacturer transparency.
We also chose products that were made with high-quality ingredients and with minimal use of artificial fillers, colors or preservatives.
Finally, we browsed the reviews—choosing only products that were highly rated by customers.
Best Supplement for Joint Pain FAQs
How do I know if I need a joint supplement?
If you have achy or stiff joints, or if you’ve been diagnosed with a joint condition, you may benefit from taking a joint supplement. Make sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
What is the best natural product for joint pain?
Some of the best natural products for joint pain include turmeric/curcumin, collagen and omega-3.
What supplements repair joints?
When it comes to taking vitamins for joint pain, it's important to remember what vitamins can and cannot do by themselves. Most joint pain supplements contain vitamins that can help reduce inflammation, but it's the collagen in these supplements that may help provide the raw materials your body needs to actually repair the joints. Note that it may take months of consistent use before you notice benefits from collagen supplementation.
Are there any risks to taking joint pain supplements?
Glucosamine and chondroitin, two ingredients commonly found in joint supplements, are generally regarded as safe. However, some participants in clinical trials have reported symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness and diarrhea while taking them at the same time. With chondroitin, there's also a risk of interaction with warfarin and other blood thinners.
The potential for side effects or drug interactions underscores the importance of consulting a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement, just as a common-sense precaution.
What can I take daily for my joints?
Most over-the-counter joint support supplements—including those that contain omega-3, turmeric and collagen—are made for daily use. Speak with your healthcare provider about which one may be the most helpful for you.
How do I lubricate my joints?
Synovial fluid is the fluid that helps lubricate your joints. It can reduce pain and friction. To direct synovial fluid to the areas it needs to be, make sure to warm up before you exercise, stay well-hydrated and make stretching a normal part of your routine.
Takeaway: Are Joint Pain Supplements Worth It?
Joint pain supplements may help reduce aching and stiffness in your joints, particularly if you have inflammatory joint pain. The most helpful, evidence-based ingredients in these supplements include turmeric, collagen, and omega-3. Still, they aren’t quick fixes. It’s important to be consistent in using them and to follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
