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Top 5 Joint Supplements for Women (2024)

Remember those carefree days when you could still chase your grandkids at the park?

Unfortunately, in your 40s, things change, including your joints.

Now, you could barely get out of bed without pain shooting up your ankles

Why? Why do our joints start to rebel at this stage in life?

Joint Pain Causes For Women In 40s

How do you know if you have joint pains or not?

Well, a clear indicator is a sore, stiff, nagging sensation in either your knees, hips, shoulders, or anywhere else two bones meet.

Now, even though joint pains are often linked to inflammation, it can still be triggered by other factors like:

As we age, our bodies undergo hormonal changes, particularly in estrogen levels.

Estrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. When it declines over time, this hormonal shift can contribute to inflammation, leading to joint discomfort and soreness. 1

Between work, family and self-care (when there’s any time left), we understand that it’s not easy to fit in regular movement and healthy eating habits.

However, this sedentary lifestyle can cause weight gain and muscle loss. This combination can put some serious strain on your joints, leading to more joint discomfort.

Solutions for Joint Pain Relief

Yes, painkillers & NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen offer temporary relief during flare-ups. However, relying on them long-term can have some serious side effects.

Some of the long-term side effects of consuming painkillers & NSAIDs include: 2

  • liver and/or kidney damage
  • weakened immunity
  • gastrointestinal problems
  • cardiovascular issues

Think of painkillers as an SOS button, not a daily companion.

Unlike pain medication, there are supplements out there that’s geared towards joint health.

They offer an anti-inflammatory boost without the side effects associated with traditional medications. Regular use may even help:

  • reduce flare-ups
  • lower inflammation
  • improve overall joint function

Why Supplements?

  • Long-term Solution: Unlike painkillers, supplements provide ongoing support for joint health.
  • No Major Side Effects (if you pick the trustworthy ones): Natural supplements offer relief without the risks associated with medications.

Popular Joint Supplement Ingredients

This may come as a surprise… But new studies show that a healthy gut microbiome may help with managing joint discomfort.6

The best way to improve your gut microbiome is with probiotics, friendly bacteria that supports gut health and other functions, including:

  • bone density
  • joint inflammation
  • weight management

Emerging studies show that a healthy gut can regulate estrogen levels and support hormonal balance.7

Some probiotic strains also demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties, and may help address inflammation head-on just like curcumin does.

Some of these strains include B. Lactis R101-8138, L. Rhamnosus 4B15, and L. Gasseri 4M1314.9

Renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric has been a staple in traditional medicine for centuries.

Its active compound, curcumin, has been extensively studied to be just as effective in addressing inflammation and pain relief as NSAIDs without major negative side effects.3, 4

Curcumin is also a phytoestrogen, which means it contains plant-based compounds that act like weak-estrogen, which may help support the estrogen decline women face.5

Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, moringa leaf has emerged as a powerhouse ingredient. Studies suggest it to be capable of easing inflammation, and with anti-arthritic effects. 10

Another study also showed that moringa leaves can also act as antioxidants, which may help reduce oxidative stress — a condition that may exacerbate joint pain. 11

While glucosamine is known for its potential benefits in maintaining joint health, its main drawback lies in its source, particularly for those with shellfish allergies.

Additionally, the effectiveness of glucosamine supplements has been a topic of debate in scientific studies, with some showing positive effects, while others demonstrate limited efficacy. 12

They also quoted another study in 685,778 people which found that glucosamine use is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with osteoarthritis. 13

Often paired with glucosamine, chondroitin plays a role in maintaining the structural integrity of joints.

While some studies suggest potential benefits, others show limited or no improvement in symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. 14

Moreover, the absorption of chondroitin in the digestive tract can be a challenge, affecting its bioavailability and effectiveness.

Our Ranking Criteria

Now, before you grab any joint supplement off the shelf, remember that not all supplements are created equal.

Supplements are something you’ll be taking every single day, so in order for you to do so with a peace of mind

We’ve scrutinized tons of the most popular joint supplements on the market right now, and ranked the top 5 according to our criterias, namely:

  • NSAID-free
  • Safe to take long-term
  • Ingredient formula
  • No fillers, additives
  • Money-back guarantee

Top 5 Joint Supplements For Women

Why we like Provitalize

The reasons why women over 40 become prone to joint pains stems from the decline in estrogen levels during stages of menopause.

Provitalize is the only joint supplement on this list with a formula that addresses the symptoms of joint pain effectively, through:

  • Easing inflammation in your bones & joints
  • Restoring hormonal balance to keep a healthy estrogen level without the common side-effects of HRT or estrogen
  • Improving gut health to enable your body to regulate estrogen levels naturally
  • Reducing the load on weight bearing joints by helping with weight management.

Provitalize contains 350 mg of curcumin, an anti-inflammatory powerhouse studied to help ease joint pains & inflammation. It is also formulated with 3 mg of Bioperine®, a patented version of black pepper extract studied to improve curucmin’s absorbability by 2000%.15

It also contains 350 mg of moringa leaves and 150 mg of curry leaves per serving. These natural herbs contain plant-compounds that help to promote & restore hormonal balance.

One more way to help manage joint pains is by reducing the load they bear. That’s where the weight management probiotics come in handy. 

Provitalize also contains 68.2 billion CFUs of premium probiotic strains with anti-inflammatory and weight-management properties. This includes L. Gasseri SBT2055, a probiotic strain backed by two studies showing a reduction in abdominal visceral fats by up to 4.6% and 8.5% respectively. 16, 17 More importantly, L. Gasseri SBT2055 works by naturally blocking fat absorption and promoting fat excretion through the feces.18

The other two probiotic strains (B. Breve IDCC4401 and B. Lactis R101-8) are also clinically studied and researchers found that they stimulate cholesterol metabolism 19 and saturated fat metabolism 20. B. Breve IDCC4401 was also found to promote healthier cholesterol levels, while B. Lactis R101-8 was also found to improve two inflammatory markers 21.

The probiotics strains in Provitalize, which are from the Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium genuses, have the innate ability to improve gut health and address gut dysbiosis, enabling the gut to perform its function of regulating the estrogen levels in our body and supporting hormonal balance.

According to their official website, over 2,000,000 women have tried Provitalize and over 41,000 women subscribe to it monthly. The tens of thousands of glowing reviews on TrustPilot, Amazon, and Okendo are undeniable proof that Provitalize is worthy of our top spot.

Pros

Cons

Our Review of the Slim Gut Bundle

The Slim Gut Bundle is a 2-in-1 bundle, created for customers who want faster, more effective relief from Provitalize.

It contains both Provitalize, and Previtalize, a prebiotic supplement that contains 4 different types of fibers — FOS, XOS, GOS, Inulin — and burdock root, a source of inulin.

These prebiotics are not only studied to provide anti-inflammatory benefits for people experiencing joint pain22, 23, 24, but they can help boost the probiotic function of Provitalize.

By feeding on these fibers, select probiotic strains from Provitalize receive additional nutrients to multiply faster in the gut.

This means women can see results much faster, such as faster joint relief.

Plus, probiotics produce something called SCFA (short-chain-fatty acid) when feeding on the fibers. SCFAs has been widely studied for its anti-inflammatory benefits as well.25

We listed the Slim Gut Bundle 2nd only because it costs more than Provitalize alone.

Fortunately, they provide an 18% discount on the prebiotic when you get the bundle. Other than that, we believe it’s the best-value-for-money bundle in the market right now.

Pros

Cons

Our Review of Instaflex

Each serving of Instaflex contains 160mg chloride, 188mg potassium, 1500mg glucosamine, 500mg methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), 250mg ginger extract, 150mg boswellia serrata, 50mg turmeric, 50mg cayenne, 4mg hyaluronic acid.

The ingredients for Instaflex look safe to consume long-term. We appreciate them for not just being another glucosamine supplement out there, with their addition of natural ingredients to their formulation.

They’ve added turmeric, cayenne, and ginger — all natural herbs which help with inflammation. However, we’d like it even more if they added more of these herbs (instead of just 50mg).

They’ve also added hyaluronic acid, which has been studied to help with joint health.26

Instaflex contains little to no artificial ingredients, and does not contain any fillers as well. This is the reason why we’ve placed them at their current spot in the rankings.

Pros

Cons

Our Review of Osteo Bi-Flex

Each serving of Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health contains a blend of vitamin & minerals (60 mg of Vitamin C, 35 mg of Sodium, 2 mg of Manganese), 1,500 mg of glucosamine, 1,103 mg of their Chondroitin/MSM Complex (chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), collagen, boswellia serrata, boron, hyaluronic acid), and 100 mg of their Joint Shield™ 5-LOXIN Advanced®, a patented version of Boswellia serrata.

The ingredients look generally safe for long-term consumption. Osteo Bi-Flex contains the resin of Boswellia serrata, a tree widely used in Indian traditional medicine. Studies found that the extract of this tree was able to ease inflammation in osteoarthritis patients.27

Boswellia serrata extract is safe for consumption, but some people have reported side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, headache, heartburn, and itching.

Now, Osteo Bi-Flex does contain fillers and additives, such as crospovidone, a disintegrant used in pharmaceutical tablets, guar gum, a food additive, and magnesium silicate, a neutralizing agent.

Do take note if you’re out in the market for a filler & additive-free supplement.

Pros

Cons

Our Review of Move Free

Each serving of Move Free Advanced contains 1500 mg of glucosamine, 200 mg of chondroitin, 3.3 mg of hyaluronic acid, 216 mg of calcium fructoborate, and 1500 mg of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM).

The ingredients look generally safe. It features calcium fructoborate, a compound that has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties.28

However, it does lack the diversity of the other glucosamine supplement we’ve featured, Osteo Bi Flex, and therefore we’ve ranked it in the 5th spot.

Move Free does contain fillers & additives, so do take note if you’re looking for an all-natural supplement. It contains polyethylene glycol, a medication most commonly used as a laxative.

It also contains titanium dioxide, a food coloring that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has deemed unsafe as a food additive due to uncertainties about possible inflammation and neurotoxicity.29

Pros

Cons

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Conclusion

Now, joint pains might bring about a brand new set of challenges to your every day life…

However, with the right support, you’ll be able to navigate these challenges with ease and keep your joints mobile and pain-free.

As opposed to pain medication, which offers only a temporary fix to the problem…

Joint supplements offers more effective support with their holistic blend of ingredients, which takes hormonal changes into account.

As you explore the top joint supplements in our list, we recommend choosing a supplement that’s:

  • All-natural
  • Science-backed
  • Manages inflammation
  • Affordable
  • Suitable to take long-term
Nancy Grace
Researcher and Science Writer
Nancy specializes in science journalism and factual information in the fields of health, medicine, and nutrition. She spends hours each week pouring through 100s of medical journals and research studies to increase accessibility to the depths of information by the everyday person.

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