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Achy joints may seem like a minor issue at first, but it is often the first sign of a problem like rheumatoid arthritis. That is why it's vital you act as soon as possible to support healthy bones and joints. This is especially true for women, as research suggests they are more likely to experience joint health issues.
While things like hyaluronic acid injections are a popular option, certain studies suggest that taking supplements and over the counter medications might be the best way to go. These might boost your joint health and treat rheumatoid arthritis pain and symptoms, potentially without causing any side effects.
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The problem is, with so many supplements for arthritis on the market, it can be hard to know which one to use. That is why the reviewers for this article have created their guide to the best anti inflammatory supplements for women, to help them improve their joint pain levels and overall health.
The 5 Best Joint Health Supplements For Women
Elm and Rye — The Best Joint Supplements for Women (Turmeric, Glucosamine, Omega)
FlexAgain — The best joint supplement for women
EstroCare — The best supplement for menopausal joint pain
Osteo bi Flex — Best budget joint supplements for women
Nordic Naturals — The best vegan omega
Elm and Rye have a couple of entries on the list for being the best manufacturer of stand alone supplements on the market right now. Meaning that if you’re looking for turmeric, for its anti inflammatory effects, glucosamine to help protect your cartilage or fish oil for both of these benefits then they’re the best bet, according to reviewers for this article.
If you’re looking for an all in one supplement, then FlexAgain is the best option, and after that the other brands are really here to fill out the list.
Elm and Rye Turmeric — Best Turmeric Dietary Supplement
Elm And Rye Turmeric is a supplement that is available as either a gummy or a powder form housed within a capsule. It contains nothing but 700 mg of pure turmeric, as well as a few other ingredients to create the gummy or capsule and stabilize it. Having both the gummy and the capsule options available as well as hitting a full dose of curcumin is of course a highlight which most lesser stand alone supplements mess up.
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which is believed to reduce inflammation and joint pains, prevent damage to the joints, cartilage, and connective tissue, or repair any that's already occurred, block free radicals and lowers cytokine levels, and prevent oxidative damage and stress. But, you need 500mg of curcumin and it only makes up about 8-12% of turmeric, so you need something high quality like what Elm and Rye are offering to make sure that it actually works.
The dosage of turmeric present should be sufficient to deliver the most potent effects possible.
So if you’re looking for a standalone, and want to avoid things like glucosamine, Elm and Rye Turmeric is definitely the best product for you to give a try.
Pros
Available as a choice of either gummies or capsules
Contains a potent dose of turmeric
FlexAgain — Best Combination Joint Supplement For Women
FlexAgain quickly established itself as one of the most popular supplements to reduce inflammation in the joints on the market today. Consisting of only high quality, clinically proven, natural ingredients in their optimal doses, it may be ideal for treating joint pain.
The FlexAgain formula contains omega 3 fatty acids, curcumin extract (turmeric), glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, ginger and blue galangal extracts, bromelain, resveratrol, boswellic acid, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), and the fat soluble vitamins vitamin k and vitamin d.
Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of healthy fat most often found in fatty fish and fish oil, but which are also present in some plant sources as well, such as certain seeds, nuts, pulses, and algae. They come in three forms, ALAs (alpha linoleic acid), EPAs (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHAs (docosahexaenoic acid)
They may be extremely useful for lubricating joints, promoting the growth of connective tissue, reducing the production of c reactive protein, and providing relief from degenerative autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, both of which may cause inflammation.
Becoming vitamin d deficient might cause both inflammation and joint pain, so making sure you get plenty of the essential nutrient from foods and dietary supplements such as this might prevent a deficiency from developing. This may also stop you from experiencing the many health conditions that it can lead to.
Vitamin k serves a very similar purpose to vitamin d, and studies show it may be particularly effective for helping treat knee osteoarthritis. It may also improve both the efficacy and absorption of vitamin d when they are paired together in joint supplements such as this.
Ginger is a herbal root extract that has been used in traditional medicines around the world for centuries, as it is believed to be a great compound for reducing inflammation and joint pain.
Blue galangal extract is another root extract that is a popular traditional Asian joint remedy, as it may also be capable of relieving inflammation and joint pain, while also being able to improve the absorption and efficacy of blood thinners and many anti inflammatory foods, such as ginger.
Some experts claim that pairing ginger and blue galangal extracts together like they are here can improve the bioavailability, efficacy, and natural anti inflammatory properties of both by as much as 1200 percent.
Boswellic acid is extracted from the boswellia serrata trees in India and the Punjab region of Pakistan, resveratrol is mainly extracted from grapes and grapevines, but is also found in almonds, and turmeric is from the roots of the curcuma longa plant and contains a chemical compound called curcumin.
All three of these ingredients are seen as potent antioxidants that have long been used in various traditional medicines around the world, as they all appear to have potent anti inflammatory properties.
They might provide joint pain relief, protect the joints, cartilage, and connective tissue from damage, block free radicals, reduce cytokine levels, and prevent inflammation and oxidative damage and stress.
Chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate are each seen as a building block for human cartilage, which can also be found and extracted from shellfish or manufactured in labs for use in supplements for arthritis.
They are paired together in chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate supplements, as together they form what is believed to be one of the most effective joint pain relievers. They can be used to potentially help repair cartilage and treat everything from mild joint discomfort to chronic joint pain or arthritis symptoms.
MSM is a compound high in sulphur that is mainly found in green vegetables like broccoli. It is often put in joint supplements that feature glucosamine and chondroitin as it may boost both their absorption and efficacy even further. Meanwhile, bromelain is an enzyme that is most commonly found in pineapples.
Bromelain and MSM may help treat joint pain and arthritis symptoms and restore joint mobility and functions that have been lost due to joint inflammation or cartilage degradation. The two natural compounds may work to keep the joints healthy when paired together like they are here.
The diverse range of ingredients that it uses, each with their own proven benefits and pain relieving effects, allows FlexAgain to possibly reduce pain, inflammation, and joint stiffness from every angle, while offering potential for people with allergies or food sensitivities.
You might start seeing improvements in your joint health and pain levels almost immediately, while continuous use might have you pain free in as little as a few weeks. That is why the reviewers feel FlexAgain is comfortably the best supplement to help women combat their joint issues on the market today.
Pros
All its ingredients have been clinically studied
Can be used by people who avoid fish oil supplements
Everything is optimally dosed to promote maximum efficacy
Might provide joint pain relief and restore joint health and functions
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are said to work especially well when paired together, and with MSM
May treat arthritis pain and symptoms
EstroCare — Best Joint Supplement for Menopause
Estrocare is a supplement specifically designed to help women combat the symptoms of menopause. However, as joint pain may be one of the most common symptoms, it may also be a great way for older women to combat joint issues, especially as all of its ingredients are optimally dosed and clinically proven.
The Estrocare formula contains DHEA, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin d, iron, zinc, black cohosh, red clover, ginseng extract, bifidobacterium animalis, lactobacillus gasseri, 5-htp, chromium, soy isoflavone, calcium citrate, magnesium, maca root extract, and Siberian rhubarb extract.
DHEA is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that regulates your estrogen and testosterone levels. It may prevent weight gain, joint pain, depression, and sexual dysfunction, and might improve bone, heart, and immune system health, and boost your stamina, insulin response, and physical performance.
Vitamin a supports good bone, eye, lung, skin, and immune system health and functions, and it is especially important for women as they age, as the health of these organs can diminish.
Vitamin b6 and vitamin b12 both support the immune system too, while also helping to prevent brain fog, mood swings, and depression, and helping to boost your mental clarity, functions, energy levels, and health.
Vitamin C supports healthy brain and immune functions as well, and it helps keep the skin, joints, and bones of menopausal women strong, healthy, and young looking, as it may prevent the decline in your natural collagen production that low estrogen levels may cause.
Vitamin d works the same as it did in FlexAgain, to combat inflammation and joint pain, and prevent vitamin d deficiencies and the many health issues that accompany them.
Older women are also at a great risk of developing mineral deficiencies, and some experts recommend it is especially important for them to keep their levels up.
The calcium and iron might keep your skin, nails, and bones healthy, and prevent tiredness, weakness, and head and chest pains. Chromium aids the absorption of calcium, while also supporting your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, mental health, and physical performance.
Magnesium may improve bone density and sleep quality, while reducing menopausal joint pain, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep issues, anxiety, and fatigue.
The final mineral, Zinc, then works to reduce inflammation, menopausal joint pain, weakness, tiredness, anxiety, and low libido, and to improve your eye health, vision, and nerve and immune health and functions.
Black cohosh is a herbal extract that studies on alternative medicine show may have the ability to alter your production of neurotransmitters and hormones, to prevent or relieve hot flashes and night sweats.
Red clover extract contains a type of natural compound known as isoflavones. These are said to reduce hot flashes and night sweats, regulate hormone levels, and keep your body and lungs healthy, especially in asthmatic women.
Soy isoflavones are a pure and more potent version of the active compound looked at in red clover, so may again deliver the same benefits, only perhaps more effectively.
Ginseng extract is believed to optimize your hormonal balance, cognitive functions, energy levels, and sex drive, and prevent fatigue, hot flushes, mood swings, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness.
Siberian rhubarb is then said to be capable of reducing menopausal joint pain, as well as either preventing or combatting virtually all of the other symptoms of the menopause.
Bifidobacterium animalis and Lactobacillus gasseri are both probiotics, a type of healthy gut bacteria. They may help to reduce inflammation and c reactive protein production, prevent or treat vaginal dryness, and combat poor digestion and gut health.
5-htp (5-hydroxytryptophan) is an amino acid that may suppress inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis, boost sleep quality, prevent and treat headaches, and reduce the frequency of hot flashes. Maca root extract then provides similar potential benefits, while also helping to address depression.
With every ingredient being present in its optimal dosage, Estrocare provides maximum potential efficacy. This makes it easily the best supplement on the market to combat joint pain if it is caused by the menopause, as it also treats all of the other symptoms of the condition as well.
Pros
May address both menopausal joint pain and all other menopause symptoms
Contains a wide range of ingredients that support menopausal women from every angle
All of the ingredients are optimally dosed
Does not feature anything that has not been clinically tested
Nordic Naturals Vegan Algae Omega — Best Vegan Omega Joint Supplement
Vegans often can't use the best omega 3 supplements as, despite how effective they are, omega 3 fatty acids commonly come from fatty fish and their oils. This will often lead to them instead turning to ASU supplements (avocado soy unsaponifiables), which are believed to provide similar benefits only to a far lower degree.
Nordic Naturals Vegan Algae Omega is a far better option in this instance, as it is packed with a fairly potent dose of 715 mg of pure omega 3 fatty acids in every serving, which are derived from marine algae oil, high oleic sunflower oil, and rosemary extract.
This may enable it to help lubricate the joints, promote the growth of connective tissue, reduce the production of c reactive protein, and potentially provide relief from inflammation and degenerative autoimmune diseases, like arthritis. It may also be particularly useful to help treat common physical issues, such as knee pain.
As vegan omega 3 supplements are few and far between and this one can deliver some notable benefits, Nordic Naturals Vegan Algae Omega is among the best options for women who want to use this kind of product.
Pros
Omega 3s are great for lubricating the joints and treating inflammation
Can be used by vegan women
Reasonably priced
Elm and Rye Fish Oil — Best Omega 3 Fatty Acids Joint Supplement
Much like the previous supplement looked at, Elm And Rye Fish Oil contains only pure omega 3 fatty acids. This means it may lubricate the joints, aid connective tissue growth, reduce inflammation and c reactive protein production, and potentially provide relief from degenerative autoimmune diseases like arthritis.
Sold as either a gummy or a capsule, it also offers flexibility, so people who do not like or simply can't swallow capsules will be able to use them.
If you are set on using a high quality omega 3 supplement, do not follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, and have no issue using animal products, Elm And Rye Fish Oil is the best option for women to try.
Pros
Available as either a capsule or a gummy
Contains pure, high quality omega 3s
Osteo Bi Flex One Per Day — Best Glucosamine Supplement
Osteo Bi Flex One Per Day is a gluten free supplement designed to deliver improved joint comfort in as little as 7 days, while also supporting a healthy immune system and not requiring you to swallow handfuls of pills.
The Osteo Bi Flex One Per Day formula consists of 1,500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride, 10 mcg of vitamin d, and 100 mg of their patented Joint Shield 5-LOXIN Advanced boswellia serrata resin extract.
Glucosamine hydrochloride may actually be a more effective way to combat rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain than glucosamine sulfate, as it may still deliver the same cartilage repairing and pain relieving effects, only while being slightly more potent.
The boswellia serrata extract will then again reduce joint pain, inflammation, cartilage, and connective tissue issues, free radicals, cytokine levels, and oxidative damage and stress.
The vitamin d might then prevent inflammation, joint pains, and vitamin d deficiencies and the health issues that come with them, although the dosage could be a little higher.
If you are set on using a supplement that relies heavily on glucosamine, Osteo Bi Flex One Per Day can still be one of the best joint supplements for women to try.
Pros
All of its ingredients are believed to work
Contains a pure form of glucosamine
The price and serving size are both very reasonable
Final Thoughts On The Best Supplements For Women To Reduce Joint Pain & Arthritis Symptoms
Whether you are suffering from mild joint pain, a condition like rheumatoid arthritis, or even chronic knee osteoarthritis, joint health supplements may be a good way to cure your issues. However, while there are a number of good options to use, Elm and Rye make the best single ingredient supplements and for a combination product FlexAgain is easily the most effective option on the market today.
Using only ingredients that have undergone rigorous testing, all of which are believed to be able to deliver anti inflammatory effects, it may combat joint arthritis and pain from every angle, making it a great way to help women of any age return to active lifestyles.
If you feel it is not the right joint supplement for you, then one of the other options on this list may be.
