2022 Best Joint Pain Supplements for Knees, Arthritis, & Joint Health

(Ad) The best joint supplements may help provide relief from knee pain, joint inflammation, and arthritis. Some joint pain supplements consist of helpful ingredients such as chondroitin and glucosamine that help lubricate your joints, while others contain turmeric and MSM to help with inflammation.  

However, not all joint supplements are created equal and many don’t work as well as they claim. We've reviewed the best supplements for joint pain to see which products are the most effective and offer the best value. We evaluated 10 different joint supplements on factors such as ingredients, reviews, price, effectiveness, and guarantee.

Here are our top picks for the best joint health supplements for pain, arthritis, and inflammation.

The 3 Best Joint Supplements for Pain Relief, Inflammation, and Arthritis

• Physio Flex Pro: Best for joint pain, cracking knees, and inflammation
• Icelandic Red Algae Calcium: Best for seniors
• Performance Lab Flex: Best joint supplement for athletes

#1. Physio Flex Pro: Top Rated Joint Pain Supplement Overall

Named the Best Joint Supplement of 2022 by many online health magazines, Physio Flex Pro was developed by a team that includes a certified physiotherapist and trainer. Physio Flex Pro has received numerous accolades and endorsements from celebrities, professional athletes, and physical therapists, earning it the top position on our list.

Physio Flex Pro came about in response to a distinct lack of joint supplement options that actually worked to relieve joint pain. Eddie, a fitness instructor, found that training for a 10k race exposed his poor joint health and forced him to take action. He scoured the market for a natural supplement to relieve joint pain and returned empty-handed.

Frustrated, Eddie partnered with medical experts to create a formula that effectively addressed pain and joint arthritis symptoms. Soon after, Physio Flex Pro was born.

The advanced formula contains a precise dose of natural compounds said to “turn back the clock” and give you the ability to do the things you used to do before joint pain took over your life.

The formula is designed to:

• Nourish the body (including your joints)
• Lubricate joints
• Relieve pain
• Protect cartilage

The list of ingredients was developed in concert to maximize joint health and zap pain. Taking Physio Flex Pro could result in fast pain relief. And the pain may never come back, thanks to a vegetarian formula that strengthens your joints and protects them from sustaining further damage.

Physio Flex Pro contains the following ingredients:

• Selenium
• Glucosamine hydrochloride
• Bromelain
• Ginger extract
• Turmeric extract
• Chondroitin sulfate
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
• Bioperine (black pepper extract)

Users who take Physio Flex Pro as directed (two pills each morning before a meal) report significant pain relief in as little as 21 days. Physio Flex Pro also comes with a 60-day, 100% money-back guarantee, so you can try this joint supplement without worrying you’ve wasted money.

To offer ultimate peace of mind, Physio Flex Pro is made in the USA in a GMP-approved facility. By ensuring the quality and integrity of the product and its ingredients, the company can guarantee that the dosages you see on the label are the exact doses you’ll be ingesting. This commitment to quality and consistency is important because taking too little of an ingredient is like throwing money away, and taking too much can lead to unwelcome side effects and even health risks.

Click Here for the Lowest Price on Physio Flex Pro

#2. Icelandic Red Algae Calcium: Great for Joint Flexibility, Bone Health, and Cartilage

Though most premium joint supplements contain a blend of glucosamine hydrochloride, glucosamine sulfate, or chondroitin sulfate, the team behind Icelandic Red Algae Calcium found an alternative path for relieving joint pain.

Instead of the ingredients we’ve come to associate with treating joint pain, this proprietary formula focuses on plant-based sources of calcium to improve the body’s bone mineral content and density while promoting better overall bone strength.

Though the science is far from settled, red algae (the primary ingredient in Icelandic Red Algae Calcium) could potentially outperform glucosamine sulfate supplements and chondroitin supplements for joint support and to reduce joint swelling. Red algae is believed to offer the following health benefits:

• Better range of motion
• Reduced joint pain
• Reduced inflammation
• Decreased swelling
• Decreased stiffness
• Improved bone strength
• Improved cartilage production
• Reduced risk of fractures

The formula combines red algae with other superfoods and nutrients associated with bone health. The complete list of ingredients reads like a multi-vitamin for your bones and joints, containing:

• Red algae
• Vitamin K2
• Magnesium
• Citrus bioflavonoids
• Organic concentrated fruit and vegetable blend
• Vitamin D3

To begin seeing results, follow the easy instructions by taking 3 capsules daily. You don’t have to worry about multiple doses or scheduling a specific time of day to take the pills.

And, like Physio Flex Pro, Icelandic Red Algae Calcium also comes with a money-back guarantee. Here, you get 67 days to try the product, and if you don’t notice a dramatic reduction in joint or arthritis pain, you get a full refund.

Click Here for the Lowest Price on Icelandic Red Algae Calcium

#3. Performance Lab Flex: Best Supplement for Knee Pain and Stiff Joints

Often compared to Physio Flex Pro, Performance Lab Flex is another effective joint pain relief supplement. It’s slightly more expensive than the other brands on our list, but if you follow the adage of “you get what you pay for,” you might appreciate the cache that Performance Lab Flex has in the joint support space.

Performance Lab Flex is merely one of the products developed by Performance Lab, a company that has embraced its tagline of “Ultramodern Nutrition” to create bio-hacked solutions that allow the body to operate at peak levels of performance.

The company continues to push the envelope with revolutionary discoveries about ingredient combinations that aim to solve all of the body’s problems, from energy and sleep to joint pain relief.

The proprietary blend of joint nutrients has been shown to provide users with the following types of relief:

• Increased joint lubrication
• Superior shock absorption
• Stronger ligaments, tendons, and cartilage
• Relief for stiff and aching joints

The vegan-friendly formula takes a modern approach to the classic ingredients traditionally associated with joint supplements. With Performance Lab Flex, you’ll get an optimized combination of:

• Turmeric
• Boswellia
• Glucosamine sulfate
• Phytodroitin
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Instead of using these ingredients in their raw, original form, Performance Lab has taken improved proprietary blends and combined them into a formula that delivers advanced results quickly.

For example, turmeric supplements often contain high concentrations of curcumin, and Performance Lab Flex is no exception. However, the turmeric in Performance Lab Flex is called CurcuWIN®, a patented blend that boasts a 400% increase in bioavailability. This increase can mean the difference between flushing your money down the toilet and seeing actual results. Think of it this way – if your body can’t absorb the nutrient, it doesn’t do any good.

This is just one example of how Performance Lab has leveraged technological innovations in the nutritional supplement joint space to deliver results to people looking to ease joint pain and improve health.

We believe staying on track with your joint health is easy when you have Performance Lab Flex on your side. The easy-to-swallow pills are smaller than average to prevent choking and uncomfortable swallowing. For best results, take two pills daily. For added recovery, you can take an additional two pills after being physically active.

The all-natural formula is also easy on the stomach. If you have a history of feeling nauseous after taking a supplement, it might be due to synthetic ingredients. The all-natural solution in Performance Lab Flex keeps nausea at bay.

Click Here for the Lowest Price on Performance Lab Flex

What Are Joint Pain Supplements?

Joint supplements can include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or other ingredients in the form of pills, gels, capsules, powder, food, and drinks. As the name suggests, a supplement is meant to add to or “supplement” your regular diet, providing the nutrients your body needs for improved health and wellness.

Joint health supplements work to reduce inflammation and joint swelling, decreasing the pain and discomfort that often accompanies conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and overall joint stiffness.

Ideally, the best joint supplements deliver precisely what your body needs to keep joints healthy. As a result, your joints will function as they’re supposed to ― without pain, inflammation, and swelling. The nutrients contained in the supplements will help keep your body’s natural response to inflammation in check and give your body the tools it needs to maintain function.

As the nutrients heal your joints, you should notice decreased muscle pain and a better overall sense of well-being as you begin to live your life again without joint pain.

The most common over-the-counter joint supplements are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, but other dietary supplements also have proven benefits, including turmeric extracts and fish oil supplements.

Common Uses for Joint Pain Supplements

Ensuring joint health can go a long way to helping you enjoy life to the fullest. People often seek out the best joint supplement to help with the following:

• Joint health
• Knee pain
• Arthritis

Joint Health

Common sense tells us that we won’t have pain if we have healthy joints. However, having an active lifestyle, getting older, gaining weight, and eating a less-than-healthy diet can all contribute to factors that lead to deteriorating joint health.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, 50% of adults 65 and older have been diagnosed with arthritis, but this affliction is not exclusive to adults and seniors. The foundation also reports that 300,000 children in the U.S. experience arthritis. 

Whether you already have deteriorating joint health or you’re looking to take a proactive approach, you can support joint health with supplementation.

The ingredients in joint supplements work in concert to help the body achieve the following:

Reduce inflammation

Inflammation is an immune response to something that is not quite right in your body. While this reaction is generally a good thing because it forces you to slow down when something is “wrong,” the body can go into overdrive and create an inflammatory response that is detrimental to your health and ability to do the things you love.

Joint supplements work to fight inflammation. The key ingredients that accomplish this feat are omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, ginger, resveratrol, and xanthohumol. Without getting too scientific, each of these ingredients has demonstrated proven health benefits that reduce joint inflammation naturally without disrupting the body’s natural functions.

Lubricate joints

Our joints are filled with a liquid called synovial fluid, which works to lubricate the joints and allow them to bend and flex smoothly. Synovial fluid is like shock absorbers for your car. Without this fluid, every movement can feel jarring and painful.

As you might expect (and have probably experienced), this liquid decreases as we get older. If you find that you feel stiffer, especially in the mornings, it’s likely because your joints aren’t being lubricated as much as they should be. You can boost the activity of the synovial membrane with exercise, but if you’re already experiencing joint pain, this solution is likely not practical. Fortunately, you can feed your body with nutrients that have been shown in randomized clinical trials to boost this function in your body.

The ingredients that support synovial production include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
• Turmeric
• Leafy green vegetables
• Curcumin
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Antioxidant-rich foods (berries, green tea, garlic)
• Glucosamine and chondroitin
• Collagen

Repair and restore joint function

In addition to decreasing fluids and damage from injury and inflammation, a breakdown in cartilage can also lead to joint and arthritis pain. While some stretches and exercises can boost cartilage production, taking a joint supplement may enhance and accelerate this process.

Both glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate make up joint cartilage, so supplementing with these two ingredients may give your body the nutrients it needs to stimulate cartilage production naturally.

Knee Pain

A whopping 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Behind back pain, knee pain is the second most common cause of chronic pain. Though getting older can be a common source of discomfort, there are plenty of other culprits that cause stiff, achy knees.

Common causes of knee pain include:

• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Meniscus tears
• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears
• Arthritis
• IT band syndrome

While physical therapy, drugs, surgery, and carrying around an ice pack top the list of treatment options, joint supplements are a natural and effective alternative that may reduce joint pain in the knee. Past studies have found conflicting results, but one recent study found that combining the top ingredients in joint supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin) boasted results comparable to taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Arthritis

The Arthritis Foundation reports that there are more than 100 types of arthritis, and the prevalence has been woefully underestimated, mostly because many people don’t obtain a diagnosis until the condition is extremely advanced.

Because there are so many different kinds of arthritis, the root cause may vary from person to person. Most arthritis, however, can trace its origin to an overactive immune system, where the body begins attacking its own joint tissue.

According to WebMD, several supplements and ingredients can help manage pain and relieve inflammation that accompanies arthritis. Supplements for arthritis often contain green tea (a powerful antioxidant), glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, and Vitamin D.

Other Supplements that Help with Joint Pain

The joint supplements covered in this article contain proprietary formulas and blends designed for optimal joint health and to address problems associated with chronic pain, inflammation, and joint mobility.

Each formula on our list of the best joint supplement options may contain one or more ingredients listed below. 

Glucosamine

A naturally occurring sugar found in the body’s tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage, it can also be manufactured in the lab as a supplement to aid in joint health. When sold over the counter, a glucosamine supplement may also be referred to as glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride (HCL).

Common reasons to take glucosamine include improving conditions associated with:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Joint pain
• Multiple sclerosis

While there aren’t any notable known side effects from taking glucosamine, it can affect other conditions, including asthma, glaucoma, and high cholesterol. The evidence is not conclusive, however, so it’s advisable to speak with a doctor before beginning any new supplement routine.

Those allergic to shellfish should also exercise caution with glucosamine. Traditionally, glucosamine supplements are made from shellfish, though there are now plant-derived alternatives. If you do have a shellfish allergy, be sure to check the label first!

According to Dallas Morning News, glucosamine can be a powerhouse supplement that helps restore joint health, contributing to:

• Increasing the formation of connective tissue
• Repairing and regenerating cartilage
• Lubricating joints
• Increasing range of motion

Chondroitin

Often paired with glucosamine as a joint supplement ingredient, chondroitin is a building block of cartilage and connective joint tissue. 

When found in the body, chondroitin functions to help cartilage retain water, which keeps joints mobile and elastic. When taking chondroitin as a supplement, users can benefit because the breakdown of joint cartilage may slow down while repair functions may be triggered.

Chondroitin also serves as a pain reliever, not necessarily because it can reduce pain directly but because its repair functionality improves joint function and structure, potentially eliminating the underlying cause of joint and arthritis pain.

Glucosamine and chondroitin often come in pairs, and combining these two ingredients under one label may provide additional joint support benefits.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are prevalent in many types of fish, including salmon, mackerel, cod, herring, oysters, sardines, anchovies, and caviar. It can also be found in plant-based sources such as flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans, and spinach.

Fish oil supplements are often the basis for ensuring the body gets enough omega-3 fatty acids, as it can be challenging to get enough of this nutrient from food alone.

Typically, omega 3s are associated with enhancing brain function, but the supplement is also an effective ingredient for reducing inflammation and treating arthritis pain. Clinical studies support the use of omega 3s for rheumatoid arthritis, reporting that they directly address the inflammatory response that contributes to the progression of arthritis.

Curcumin

Curcumin is the star anti-inflammatory ingredient in the brightly colored turmeric spice. As part of the ginger family, curcumin is full of both flavor and health benefits.

Large bodies of data support the benefits of curcumin, especially its ability to reduce joint inflammation. Not only does curcumin reduce inflammation in the body, but it’s also a powerful antioxidant that supports an array of bodily functions, including:

• Mood support, reduce depression and anxiety
• Reduce pain
• Reduces LDL cholesterol
• Repairs the gastrointestinal lining
• May prevent cancer in the lung, breast, pancreas, and prostate
• May improve type 2 diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis

Though curcumin has the potential to provide many health benefits, one of the key issues with curcumin is that the body cannot easily digest it. As a result, it can pass through your system without being absorbed. To increase absorption, a curcumin and turmeric supplement is often paired with Bioperine, a black pepper extract that makes supplements more “bioavailable.”

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

This mouthful of a word is a common ingredient in the best joint supplements designed to treat joint pain and offer pain relief.

Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM for short, can be taken orally or applied to the skin topically to reduce joint pain. In addition to treating arthritis pain, MSM is also used for:

• Bursitis and tendinitis
• Wrinkles
• Stretch marks
• Scar tissue
• Rosacea
• Gastrointestinal problems (constipation, ulcers, hemorrhoids, etc.)
• Gum disease
• Alzheimer’s disease

The list of possible uses for MSM is long and extremely varied, though its most well-known benefit is its effectiveness in battling osteoarthritis.

MSM is found in a variety of foods, such as fruit, corn, coffee, and tea. However, the concentration of MSM in food is scant, so supplementation is often the best option. Many supplements containing MSM are available, including some of the supplements for joint pain included in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions

By now, you’ve gotten some context about the best joint supplement options to tackle severe joint pain, but it’s natural to still have questions. Here, we tackle the most common questions we get about joint health.

Which vitamin is the best for joint health?

Many of the ingredients we’ve focused on thus far have included naturally occurring compounds and supplements. However, there is also a common, everyday vitamin that also supports joint health, and that’s Vitamin D.

One of the reasons that Vitamin D is so effective in promoting joint health is that it is a vital nutrient for bone health. When someone has a Vitamin D deficiency, it can lead to a variety of health conditions, including joint and muscle pain.

It’s believed that 50% of the population has a Vitamin D deficiency, and many supplements are available to address this issue. Vitamin D can be found in many of the same products that you get fish oil from, including cod liver, salmon, swordfish, and tuna. Further, many everyday foods like cereals and orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to give you an extra boost.

The problem with getting Vitamin D from food is that it also requires sunlight to synthesize fully. In the absence of sunlight, supplementing with Vitamin D can give you sufficient levels to support bone and joint health.                           

Is magnesium good for joint pain?

The short answer is a resounding yes!

Magnesium has gotten a lot of media attention lately for its potential health benefits, and people are turning to magnesium supplements to help with a variety of functions, including:

• Battling depression
• Increasing exercise stamina
• Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
• Promoting heart health
• Preventing and getting rid of migraines
• Combatting PMS symptoms
• Boosting the body’s inflammatory responses
• Fighting Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments

It’s believed that magnesium supports more than 300 different reactions in the body, but it’s this mineral’s ability to provide benefits in the joint space that motivated us to discuss this vital mineral in this guide to finding the best joint supplements.

You can find trace amounts of magnesium in a long list of foods accessible in grocery stores, particularly nuts, grains, legumes, and green leafy vegetables, but given the importance of getting enough magnesium, supplementation may be necessary to maintain adequate levels. Accordingly, 50% of Americans are deficient in magnesium.

Because of magnesium’s diverse functionality, it’s believed that magnesium supports a variety of activities that help maintain and repair joints. 

How do I know if I need to take a joint supplement?

There are a couple of schools of thought here. On the one hand, you could wait until you feel joint pain and symptoms of arthritis begin to overtake you. Though you can still potentially repair your joints and live pain-free with lifestyle changes and supplementation, the road to relief is bound to take some time.

Many people realize they need to take a joint supplement when they feel stiff or achy in the morning or when daily tasks like opening a jar become more difficult.

You might also notice telltale symptoms of joint pain, such as:

• Swelling
• Numbness
• Pain when you move
• Decreased motion
• Stiffness
• Noises and creaks when you move the joint
• Difficulty when you attempt to bend or straighten the joint

Alternatively, you can take a more proactive approach and begin taking a joint supplement before you have any symptoms. This approach helps you maintain joint health without the deterioration that comes from age, inflammation, and injury.

How much do joint supplements cost?

Joint supplement prices vary drastically. You can get a generic, off-the-shelf product at a local drug store for a few bucks, but the chance that it will contain quality ingredients at effective doses is slim to none.

The joint supplements that made our list aren’t the cheapest, but they are the best. Prices at the time of publication range from $58 to $69 for a one-month supply. However, discounts are available for buying in bulk. Given that joint health is a life-long endeavor, many people find that they have the best results when they add the habit of taking joint supplements to their daily routine.

Should athletes take a supplement for joints?                                                

Athletes are especially vulnerable to being sidelined by injuries from overuse and extreme levels of activity. Therefore, athletes may be ideal candidates for taking joint supplements. Speak to your health care provider to ensure joint supplements are right for you.

Whether you are an elite athlete, a weekend warrior, or an occasional fitness enthusiast, athletes may benefit from taking a joint support supplement to help maintain their health and reduce pain in the event of an injury.

Athletes tax their bodies on a daily basis, and ensuring that you have the nutrients you need for optimal health is vital for both peak performance and longevity.

Final Thoughts

Painkillers are big business, bringing in $26.7 billion annually (globally). As the population ages, more people are turning to solutions to rid their bodies of pesky pain and arthritis symptoms so that they can enjoy life to the fullest – like they did when they were younger. As a result, this already booming market is expected to nearly double by 2030.

Unfortunately, painkillers do nothing to heal the body’s joints, bones, and muscles, simply masking the symptoms while the underlying conditions worsen. Further, many painkillers are tough on the body, wreaking havoc on the liver, and prescription pain medications are highly addictive.

By turning to natural joint supplements, people can get the best of both worlds: you can reduce pain and take proactive steps toward achieving and maintaining healthy joints.

The final obstacle in your path to pain-free living is to find the right joint supplement that works for you. We’ve included three top brands of joint health supplements that have shown widespread, promising results that treat joint pain successfully. Try one, or try them all to see which one works best!

*This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice nor to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, and may or may not be peer reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using a natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary.