Orthopedics Medication & Injections Joint Supplements for Arthritis 15 Products That May Help Relieve Joint Pain By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 15, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Oluseun Olufade, MD Medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD LinkedIn Twitter Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. He teaches as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Dale Brauner Fact checked by Dale Brauner LinkedIn Dale is an experienced fact-checker and researcher with a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism Learn about our editorial process Print When it comes to choosing a joint supplement, there is an ever-increasing number of products that promise more than they deliver. In fact, an independent analysis conducted by Consumer Reports reported of the 16 most popular joint supplements, no less than seven—44%—fell short of the ingredients listed on the product label. In the United States, supplement manufacturers are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as the pharmaceutical industry, either in terms of research, quality assurance, or marketing. Because of this, you need to take a guarded stance when it comes to the manufacturer's claims. With that said, joint supplements have been studied more extensively than other supplements, occasionally with positive findings. Independent certification by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International, and ConsumerLab provides further assurance that the product is pure and contains the ingredients listed on the product label. The following 15 joint supplements have been independently certified and may offer benefits if you are seeking relief from arthritis and other sources of chronic joint pain. How Arthritis Is Treated 1 Glucosamine Sulfate Keith Getter / Getty Images Glucosamine is a substance naturally produced by the body from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is used to synthesize glycosaminoglycan, a type of molecule central to the formation and repair of cartilage and other body tissues. Glucosamine sulfate supplements are taken on the assumption that they will raise glucosamine levels in the body to such levels as to repair (or even reverse) joint cartilage damage. Though the evidence in support of glucosamine's use is largely mixed, the European GUIDE (Glucosamine Unum In Die Efficacy) study concluded that it was as effective in relieving joint pain as Tylenol (acetaminophen). With that said, the researchers questioned whether glucosamine supplements used on their own actually improved joint function. USP-certified glucosamine supplements include: NOW Foods GlucosamineBulkSupplements Pure Glucosamine Sulfate The recommended dose of glucosamine is 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day for up to six months. At this level, it is generally considered safe. Can Arnica Relieve Arthritis Pain? 2 Chondroitin Sulfate Amazon Chondroitin is the most abundant glycosaminoglycan in cartilage and contributes to the resiliency of cartilage. Chondroitin is also important in blocking enzymes that can destroy cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate supplements are intended to enhance the shock-absorbing properties of collagen and prevent the further breakdown of cartilage. They do so by helping cartilage cells retain water and, when used with glucosamine, may even help reverse cartilage loss. A 2017 study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases suggested that a daily 800-mg dose of chondroitin sulfate was able to provide the same pain relief as a 200-mg dose of Celebrex (celecoxib). Chondroitin is commonly co-formulated with glucosamine. Reputable brands include: Kirkland Signature Glucosamine & ChondroitinSpring Valley Triple-Strength Glucosamine ChondroitinOsteo Bi-Flex Joint HealthNature’s Bounty Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex The recommended dose of chondroitin is 400 mg taken three times a day for up to six months. While considered safe at this dose, there remains a lack of evidence regarding its long-term safety. Can Diet Help Fight Arthritis? 3 Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Photo from Amazon Methylsulfonylmethane, also known as MSM, is believed by some to support the health of ligaments (the fibrous connective tissues that hold a joint together). Research suggests that it may also help reduce joint inflammation and pain. While glucosamine and chondroitin have scant clinical research to support their use, MSM has even less. People who endorse the product believe that the sulfur contained in MSM helps ligaments maintain flexibility and strength. MSM is available as an individual supplement but is more commonly found in a supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin, or both. Reputable certified brands include: GNC Triple StrengthThe Vitamin Shoppe Joint SolutionNature's Bounty Extra-Strength ComplexNutramax Cosamin DSSchiff Move-Free Advanced Triple StrengthSchiff Glucosamine Plus MSMHealthy Joints System Glucosamine Chondroitin with MSMBluebonnet Vegetarian Glucosamine MSMSolgar Glucosamine MSM MSM is typically prescribed at a 500-mg dose taken two to three times daily for up to six months. 10 Simple Ways to Fight Arthritis A Word From Verywell It is important to remember that the independent certification of a joint supplement is a stamp of approval of its quality, but it does not mean that it actually works. Even so, quality matters. To ensure safety and purity, the Arthritis Foundation recommends buying supplements from reputable national brands and being wary of low-cost alternatives that claim to have the same ingredients at a fraction of the price. Frequently Asked Questions Is joint pain a sign of a vitamin deficiency? Sometimes. Joint pain is one possible symptom of a vitamin D deficiency. (Fatigue, muscle pain, cramps, weakness, and mood changes are other signs.) Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes joint pain. If you are experiencing joint pain, your doctor may test your vitamin D levels to rule out a deficiency. What can you take to lubricate your joints? Joint fluid, also known as synovial fluid, cushions the joints to help bones and other structures move freely. Supplements that may help to support synovial fluid production include fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, methionine, and collagen. Learn More: How To Increase Synovial Fluid What joint supplements do doctors recommend? Several supplements have been studied for their effectiveness in treating joint pain. The most commonly recommended are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, dimethyl sulfoxide (DSMO), methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), and Boswellia serrata. However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes there is a lack of evidence to determine if any nutritional supplements effectively treat osteoarthritis. The 9 Best Arthritis Creams of 2022 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 16 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Consumer Reports. The facts about joint supplements: Of the 16 products we tested, seven didn't contain all that they claimed. Salazar J, Bello L, Chávez M, Añez R, Rojas J, Bermúdez V. Glucosamine for osteoarthritis: biological effects, clinical efficacy, and safety on glucose metabolism. Arthritis. 2014;2014:1-13. doi:10.1155/2014/432463 Jerosch J. Effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on cartilage metabolism in OA: outlook on other nutrient partners especially omega-3 fatty acids. Int J Rheumatol. 2011;2011:969012. doi:10.1155/2011/969012 Scholtissen S, Bruyère O, Neuprez A, et al. Glucosamine sulphate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: cost-effectiveness comparison with paracetamol. Int J Clin Pract. 2010;64(6):756-62. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02362.x Reginster JY, Neuprez A, Lecart MP, Sarlet N, Bruyere O. Role of glucosamine in the treatment for osteoarthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2012;32(10):2959-67.doi:10.1007/s00296-012-2416-2 Jung YK, Park HR, Cho HJ, et al. Degrading products of chondroitin sulfate can induce hypertrophy-like changes and MMP-13/ADAMTS5 production in chondrocytes. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):15846. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-52358-4 Vasiliadis HS, Tsikopoulos K. Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis. World J Orthop. 2017;8(1):1-11. doi:10.5312/wjo.v8.i1.1 Reginster JY, Dudler J, Blicharski T, Pavelka K. Pharmaceutical-grade Chondroitin sulfate is as effective as celecoxib and superior to placebo in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: the ChONdroitin versus CElecoxib versus Placebo Trial (CONCEPT). Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(9):1537-1543. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-210860 Singh JA, Noorbaloochi S, MacDonald R, Maxwell LJ. Chondroitin for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database System Rev. 2015;1:CD005614. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005614.pub2 Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ. Methylsulfonylmethane: applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement. Nutrients. 2017;9(3) doi:10.3390/nu9030290 Debbi EM, Agar G, Fichman G, et al. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;11(1):50. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-50 Arthritis Foundation. Supplements and herb guide for arthritis symptoms. Cleveland Clinic. Vitamin D deficiency. Kostoglou-Athanassiou I, Athanassiou P, Lyraki A, Raftakis I, Antoniadis C. Vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2012;3(6):181–7. doi:10.1177/2042018812471070 Castrogiovanni P, Trovato FM, Loreto C, Nsir H, Szychlinska MA, Musumeci G. Nutraceutical supplements in the management and prevention of osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(12):2042. doi:10.3390/ijms17122042 NIH: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Osteoarthritis: In depth.