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Remember those carefree days in your 20s, when “joint pain” was just a phrase your grandma uttered? Yeah, us too.
Now, here we are in our 40s, and suddenly, stairs feel like mountains, and running is more of a nostalgic memory than a weekly ritual…
All thanks to osteoarthritis (OA), a seemingly devastating joint condition that sucks the joy out of women everywhere.
Now, it might feel like the end of your active lifestyle, and you’re tempted to hang up your hiking pole for good…
But here’s the good news: it’s not.
Continue reading to learn more about osteoarthritis, as well as the most effective ways to manage it so you’ll still be able to live your life — the way you want to.
Osteoarthritis is a condition where the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time, causing symptoms like:
At the heart of osteoarthritis lies a silent enemy: chronic low-grade inflammation.1
Having a poor diet, excess weight, or simply because of inflammaging, can cause inflammatory markers to increase in our body.
This causes low-grade inflammation which can worsen the breakdown of cartilage. Over time, this cycle of damage can eventually lead to osteoarthritis.
And guess what? This inflammatory process is particularly aggressive in women, especially around menopause.2
In fact, fluctuations in hormones, especially during menopause, can affect joint health & inflammation levels.
Research suggests that:
Yes you can. Contrary to common misconceptions, women who are dealing with osteoarthritis can still lead fulfilling lives.
Now, there isn’t exactly a cure for osteoarthritis, however, the condition doesn’t necessarily worsen over time.
Plus, with the right treatment, symptoms might even improve, restoring joint mobility allows you to move like you did before.
So, what are the most effective osteoarthritis treatments out there?
| Medication | Self-Care | Therapy | Surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive | ||||
| Low-Risk | ||||
| Gentle On Your Body | ||||
| Tackles Inflammation | ||||
| Suitable Long-Term |
It’s important to know that not all medications work the same.
While NSIADs and painkillers offer immediate relief, they are akin to emergency buttons rather than sustainable solutions.
Natural supplements, however, present itself as the most suitable option for osteoarthritis management, especially for women over 40.
What makes or breaks the effectiveness of a supplement is their ingredient blend.
Now, to ensure that the supplement you’re looking at is actually packed with beneficial ingredients and not harmful fillers…
Here are some specific ingredients that are great for osteoarthritis you should keep an eye out for.
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 as NSAIDs in addressing osteoarthritis inflammation and providing pain relief, without major negative side effects.6
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 in their 40s and beyond.7
Studies show that a healthy gut microbiome may help with managing joint discomfort, especially in people with osteoarthritis.8
The best way to improve your gut microbiome is with probiotics, friendly bacteria that supports gut health and other functions, including:
Emerging studies show that a healthy gut can regulate estrogen levels and support hormonal balance.9
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 R101-81310, L. Rhamnosus 4B15, and L. Gasseri 4M1314.11
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. 12
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. 13
Glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly used to alleviate joint pain.
Unlike curcumin or moringa leaves, they do not possess hormonal properties so they may be less useful for women who are going through hormonal changes.
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 both glucosamine & chondroitin supplements has been a topic of debate in scientific studies, with some showing positive effects, while others demonstrate limited efficacy. 14, 15
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. 16
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing compound that’s most commonly found in plants, animals, and humans.
MSM is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, is not free of side effects.
Common symptoms include:
MSM is also a sulfuric compound, so those with a sulfa-medication allergy might want to steer clear of this ingredient.
Now, before you grab any supplement that claims it helps with osteoarthritis off the shelf, remember that not all supplements are created equal.
Some companies choose to fill theirs with artificial, lackluster ingredients to make a quick buck. Furthermore, supplements are something you’ll be taking every single day…
So, in order for you to do so with 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:
The reasons why women over 40 become prone to osteoarthritis stems from 2 reasons: hormonal changes & weight gain.
Provitalize is the only joint supplement on this list with a formula that addresses both of these causes effectively, through:
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%.17
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 osteoarthritis is by lightening the load the joints have to bear. That’s where the weight management probiotics in Provitalize comes in handy.
Provitalize also contains 68.2 billion CFUs per serving of probiotic strains, with both 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. 18, 19 More importantly, L. Gasseri SBT2055 works by naturally blocking fat absorption and promoting fat excretion through the feces, promoting long term weight management.20
The other two probiotic strains (B. Breve IDCC4401 and B. Lactis R101-8) are also clinically studied and researchers found that they stimulate cholesterol metabolism21 and saturated fat metabolism22. B. Breve IDCC4401 was also found to promote healthier cholesterol levels, while B. Lactis R101-8 was also found to improve two inflammatory markers, supporting healthier inflammation23.
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.
The Slim Gut Bundle is a 2-in-1 bundle, created for customers who want faster, more effective osteoarthritic 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 pain 24, 25, 26, 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 the benefits much faster, such as a healthier inflammation level as well as osteoarthritis 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. 27
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.
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.28
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.
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.29
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.
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. 30
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.31
Now that we’ve gone through all the information you need to choose an osteoarthritis supplement…
It’s up to you now, to decide which supplement works best for you.
So, look through our list and see which of the supplements we’ve featured today fits your individual needs.
We recommend choosing the right one with these important features that we’ve mentioned:
The key to effective osteoarthritis management lies in addressing inflammation.
While self-care methods, therapies and surgeries each have their place…
Natural supplements offer a much more holistic, long-term solution.
So, before you choose one, consider your individual needs, and the benefits you want to see. If you need to, consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best supplement for your osteoarthritis management.
We’re confident that you’ll be able to embrace a life that’s not just manageable but thriving, with the power of inflammation-fighting supplements by your side.
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