Healthy joints are important, but why? Let’s find out, along with discovering a way to better joints and finding the best joint supplement for you!
Why are healthy joints important?
Healthy joints are essential for every daily movement we make, including basic tasks such as carrying the shopping.
Taking care of your joints now can significantly reduce your risk of joint issues later in life and prevent the occurrence of injuries.”1
Handpicked content: Want to protect your joints? Here's why you need to exercise
What’s good for healthy joints?
When it comes to joint health, there are many things that can help. Just be aware there’s no one-fits-all approach when it comes to maintaining healthy joints.
Instead, it’s all about you and your specific needs. We’ll share a few options you might want to try throughout this article.
How to strengthen joints
Different forms of exercise not only keep you fit, but they give a bonus mood lift! This is because exercise produces of endorphins—a ‘happiness hormone’—in the body. But, it also comes with many benefits when it comes to joint health.2
Simple movement, stretching, flexibility routines (such as yoga), and low-impact exercises like swimming or walking can:
- Strengthen the muscles and weak joints
- Reduce stiffness
- Help mobility.3,4,5,6
Find a routine that works best for you.
Handpicked content: Why is flexibility important?
What’s the best supplement for joint problems and healthy joints?
There’s a wide variety of joint health supplements and traditional herbal remedies to choose from, whether you’re looking to maintain normal joint health.
They play an important role in the maintenance of healthy joints, We’ll share a few of our favourites with you any moment now!
What age should you start taking joint care supplements?
It’s always good to be aware of joint health, your diet, and taking care of your body—especially as you grow older—but taking joint care supplements depends on you. It’s important to consider your needs, age, and any conditions or medications you may have.
It’s often advised to discuss taking joint care supplements with a medical professional before starting anything new.
What is the most effective joint supplement?
There are several options when it comes to joint supplements, ranging from traditional herbal remedies to food supplements that can support joint health.
Turmeric
As a major source of the plant compound, curcumin, turmeric has been used for centuries in cooking.
Loved by health, science, and culinary experts alike, it’s believed to support normal joint health.7
It doesn’t work well on its own, though, due to poor absorption and the speed at which it’s eliminated and metabolised in the body, so it’s good to pair it with black pepper.8
It contains the compound piperine which can enhance absorption, so find that pepper shaker and get ready to mix!9
Turmeric
Calcium and Vitamin D
Both are essential when it comes to the growth and maintenance of healthy bones at any age and provide support for our bones, muscles, and nerves.10
A low intake of calcium can lead to problems such as low bone mass and susceptibility to fractures, so it’s important to include it in your diet.
Vitamin D also assists with the absorption of calcium in the body, so you’ll frequently find the two sold together as supplements to increase the effectiveness of the available health benefits.11
Handpicked content: Great sources of calcium - Are you getting enough?
Calcium and Vitamin D
Soothing balm for muscles and joints
Natural oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, menthol, and lavender may help to ease tension, discomfort, and irritation, cooling and soothing problem areas and offering general joint support.
They’re also considered a safe, cost-effective addition to any pre-existing pain management strategies!12
Soothing balm for muscles and joints
Seven of the best joint care supplements
So, now that we know which supplements are good for joints, let's take a look at some recommendations from our very own H&B nutritionist, Isabel Tarrant.
Here are seven of the best joint care supplements available today.
H&B Expert Multi Action Bone Support 120 Tablets
First up, we have our most advanced, multi action, bone support formula which includes high levels of essential vitamins and minerals, plus added ingredients red algae and silica rich bamboo. Specially formulated for the maintenance of normal bones, we reviewed the latest scientific studies to bring you our best combination of bone supporting actives in bioavailable forms, at efficacious levels, in one simple product.
Key features:
- Advanced bioavailability
- Four a day
- High strength formula
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
What our customers think:
Rose of Tralee – 5/5 stars – Bone Support
“I’m pleased with this product and my GP approved it.”
H&B Expert Multi Action Bone Support 120 Tablets
H&B Expert Multi Action Joint Support
Holland & Barrett Expert Multi-Action Joint Support is our most advanced joint support formula. Give your joints the support that they need with this multi-action formula, packed full of highly-researched nutrients which are essential for joint health. These include glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, omega-3, collagen, turmeric and ginger.
Take three capsules and one omega-3 soft gel capsule each day, preferably with a meal.
Key features:
- High strength
- Multi-action formula
- Free from artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners
- Advanced bioavailability
- Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians
What our customers think:
Robyn - EXCELLENT PRODUCT. – 5/5 stars
“EXCELLENT PRODUCT”
H&B Expert Multi Action Joint Support
Holland & Barrett Turmeric Gummy 60 Chewables
Not a fan of capsules? Not to worry, you can get your turmeric supplements in gummy form too. With 500mg of turmeric in a two gummy serving, you can increase your intake while also enjoying a burst of orange flavour. But that’s not all. These gummies also contain 20mg of vitamin C too!
Key features:
- Two a day formula
- Orange flavour
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
Holland & Barrett Turmeric Gummy 60 Chewables
What our customers think:
chancer – taste great! - 5/5 stars
“So pleased with these gummies. I have difficulty swallowing tablets and alot of supplements are very big so these chewable gummies are perfect. They just taste of orange which is amazing as turmeric is a strong flavour. I'm taking them for joint problems, I've only been taking them a few days so abit early to say, but they do taste great.”
Baalotte – Yummy! - 5/5 stars
“Been taking these for a few weeks, not long enough to judge results, but they taste amazing so will be buying more”
Holland & Barrett Magnesium Citrate 90 Tablets
Magnesium supplements may also support you in this area, as these magnesium citrate tablets may help to contribute to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth. In addition supporting your bones, magnesium citrate may also help with your muscle function too.
Key features:
- Superior bioavailability
- Three a day formula
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
What our customers think:
Margaret – 5/5 stars - Recommended
“Excellent magnesium supplement”
MotherBird – 5/5 stars - Magnesium
“I always buy this brand. It is exactly the right dosage and a good price”
Holland & Barrett Magnesium Citrate 90 Tablets
Puressentiel Muscle and Joints Gel 60ml
Looking for an alternative to oral supplements? This Puressentiel Gel for muscles and joint massage may be just the thing. Containing a blend of 14 essential oils, this gel includes turpentine, cajeput, scots pine, wintergreen, rosemary cineole, nutmeg, peppermint, spike lavender, niaouli, eucalyptus globulus, juniper, marjoram and roman chamomile to help relax and soothe sore muscles and joints.
Key features:
- Gel formula
- Natural origins
- Helpful for smaller joints too
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
What our customers think:
Mrs Hilda Haselden – 5/5 stars – Very good for aching joints
“It dose what it says on the box it is very good I would buy this again”
Puressentiel Muscle and Joints Gel 60ml
Holland & Barrett High Strength Glucosamine & Chondroitin Complex 90 Tablets
If you’ve identified that you’re after a glucosamine supplement, this could be the one for you. With 888mg of glucosamine, 300mg of chondroitin, 400mg of MSM and 300mg of collagen, these tablets are ideal for supporting your overall joint health. Take three tablets a day, preferably with a meal.
Key features:
- High strength formula
- Three a day format
- Contains vitamin C to support healthy cartilage and ginger to support healthy joints
- Not suitable for vegetarians and vegans
What our customers think:
Arlette - Good value – 5/5 stars
“I find it helps me with my joints & been taking them for a year now”
Holland & Barrett High Strength Glucosamine & Chondroitin Complex 90 Tablets
Naturya Organic Spirulina Powder 100g
Super high in plant based protein, spirulina powder contains 10g of protein in a 15g serving, which may help you to maintain muscle mass. What's more, spirulina like this one from Naturya, is also a great source of manganese which supports the maintenance of normal bones.
Key features:
- Use 5-15g daily
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- Contains vitamin A, B1, B2 and iodine
- 66% protein
What our customers think:
Anonymous – 5/5 stars – Great product
“This is such a good high quality product, I add it to my protein shake everyday.”
Anne bee – 5/5 stars - Natural green energy.
“Easily absorbed energy for your body, can be used either sprinkled over a morning cereal or included in a smoothie. Start the day with a bonus!!”
Are joint care supplements suitable for everyone?
We all need to take care of our joints, from simple tasks like walking or shopping to more strenuous forms of physical activity. But ultimately, suitability depends on you and what your specific needs are.
Weigh up the benefits and potential side effects and discuss any questions with a medical professional.
You have loads of options to choose from, each offering support so you can enjoy your life the way you deserve.
The final say
That brings us to the end of your need-to-know guide on everything related to joint care supplements, including why healthy joints are important, what’s good for them, some products to try out, and any important side effects for you to be aware of.
You’re now ready to show your joints who’s boss!
If you’d like to know other ways to help your joints, check out ‘Why is flexibility important?’ and ‘How to keep a healthy back for life’.
Last updated: 11 April 2022
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
- https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/joint-care/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193654/
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/keeping-active/activities/swimming
- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/running-and-aerobic-exercises/walking-for-health/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633300/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535097/
- https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/nutrition/calcium-and-vitamin-d-important-every-age
- https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/nutrition/calcium-and-vitamin-d-important-every-age
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5192342/