Joints are among the most important parts of the human or animal body. They facilitate both locomotion and movement, what we often call mobility. Facilitated by our joints, these movements allow us to carry on with our normal day-to-day activities smoothly.
Ligaments, on the other hand, are an important constituent in joints. Ligaments are basically bundles of dense connective tissues that connect one bone to another in joints. Some are located in between joint cartilage, a connective tissue that sheaths the surfaces of two joint bones to reduce friction and protect them from rubbing against each other.
Joint Problems
When the integrity of joint ligaments and cartilage is interfered with, it’s when most joint problems arise. Well, the integrity of cartilage and adjacent ligaments in joints can be affected by a number of factors, including injury, old age, and the normal process of wear and tear due to activity-based overuse.
When these important connective tissues get damaged or their structural integrity starts to deteriorate, the joints can be alarmingly painful, stiff, and less flexible. This can reduce the affected joint’s range of motion and potentially lead to reduced mobility or activity.
The Need for Supplements?
While the healthy growth, development, and maintenance of these important parts of the joint rely on the nutrients supplied by the diet, sometimes the conventional nutritional servings aren’t enough, especially when you have an existing joint issue.
Luckily, though, there’s a myriad of dietary joint supplements and natural supplement formulations that seek to soothe joint pain, fight inflammation, rectify cartilage damage, and promote the healthy reconstruction of damaged joint ligaments. But which ones are these exactly?
Well, as noted above, there are many supplement formulation options to choose from. The big question, however, is, which ones are specifically designed to support the joints and the ligaments? Well, if clinical trials and scientific studies are anything to go by, not all marketed brands for this purpose could qualify as worthwhile. It is also important to note that some of them are actually a combination of various supplements as active ingredients in a joint health formulation.
Instead of focusing on specific brands, this article seeks to tackle several natural supplements or extracts that could be helpful in supporting the joint and the ligaments individually or combined with others. This having been said, here are some notable supplements for joints and ligaments that might help end your woes. Most of them are actually found as primary ingredients in common joint care supplements.
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Glucosamine
This is one of the most popular supplements when it comes to joint care. As a matter of fact, it is included in many joint health supplement formulations, often combined with other ingredients for a more pronounced effect. According to Christian and Alan, for the Medical News Today, many studies have found glucosamine (especially in its sulfate form) to be helpful in reducing joint pain and arthritic pain.
The substance occurs naturally in the body, especially in the bones, cartilage, joint fluid, and the bone marrow.
Glucosamine is often extracted from shellfish and used as a natural joint care supplement, especially for people with arthritis and osteoarthritis. In addition to the glucosamine sulfate, it is also available as glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetyl-glucosamine.
For the best results, it is often combined with other ingredients such as MSM and chondroitin sulfate in joint health supplement blends. You can look at it as making a fruit and veggies smoothie! The ingredient or supplement is known to be helpful in treating arthritis and osteoarthritis.
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Chondroitin
Chondroitin is another common supplement for joints and ligaments, whose effectiveness in fighting inflammation is supported by research. As a matter of fact, multiple studies have found chondroitin sulfate to be highly effective in suppressing joint damage. Especially when used alongside glucosamine, chondroitin, this supplement has been found extremely helpful in soothing joint pain, reducing stiffness, and arresting joint damage in arthritis.
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Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
MSM is another common ingredient in many joint pain supplements. MSM has many benefits, one of which is its strong anti-inflammatory properties that are helpful in joint health issues. Research has also shown its helpfulness among arthritis patients, especially when it comes to reducing pain and improving overall joint function.
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Ginger Extract
Unbeknownst to many, the common kitchen ingredient can be beneficial in joint health, especially when it comes to pain relief. Research has found ginger to possess many therapeutic benefits, including as a joint pain reliever and a powerful anti-inflammatory. It has also been shown to have the potential to reduce joint stiffness, especially morning stiffness.
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Bromelain
Often found naturally in pineapple stems, bromelain is an enzyme that is well known for its potent antioxidant properties. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, it is believed to be helpful in promoting the healing process. In the case of joint health, the supplement has the ability to promote the repair of tendons and ligaments.
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Curcumin
This common constituent of turmeric powder is well known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. As a supplement, curcumin has many health benefits in the human body, among them being that it is helpful in promoting ligament repair and overall joint health.
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Gelatin and Vitamin C
Studies have also found gelatin to be helpful in boosting the production of collagen in the human body. Increased collagen production can have many benefits in the human body. By promoting collagen production, this combo is helpful in both reducing joint pain and promoting the regeneration of joint cartilage.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids
We can never exhaust the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in joint health as far as the scope of this piece is concerned. These are healthy fats often found naturally occurring in fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, and sardine. They are also found in some grains and nuts such as chia, flaxseed, and walnuts.
Most of the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in joint relief come from their powerful anti-inflammatory abilities. In other words, they help fight inflammation and promote healing while reducing pain.
According to some studies, they can also help increase the production of protein and reduce mass-wasting, thus making them helpful in ligament and tendon healing. Additionally, they’re helpful in promoting overall weight loss, which can be helpful in promoting joint health.
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Other Helpful Supplements / Ingredients
In addition to the above, there are other nutrient elements that could promote your joint health and ligament repair, yet you may not be getting them sufficiently from your diet. some of these may include the following:
- Taurine – A potent anti-inflammatory that supports the immune system to promote healing
- Vitamin D – Can promote healing in ligaments and tendons.
- Magnesium – Promotes tissue health and boosts healing in joint cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
- Silicone – Promotes bone and tissue strength.
- Trace minerals – These include copper, zinc, and manganese. They play numerous beneficial roles in the body, including promoting the synthesis of collagen.
Joint pain, stiffness, and discomfort can be extremely challenging, especially during the cold weather. When looking for an effective joint health supplement that will stimulate ligament, tendon, and cartilage repair, these are some of the best ingredients to look for. As a matter of fact, some nutritional supplements contain two or more these ingredients combined.