Close-up of a hand, palm up position, presenting vitamins and supplements for joint pain.

What are the Best Vitamins and Supplements for Joint Health?

Many people experience joint stiffness and pain due to aging and the strains that accompany overuse.

Ensuring you receive adequate amounts of specific vitamins and minerals can make a difference in supporting joint health as you age.

Many vitamins are easily obtained through diet alone, but ensuring sufficient amounts may require supplementation. We have compiled some of the best vitamins for joint health in this handy guide below.

Best Vitamins and Supplements for Joint Health:

Foods rich in vitamin D around a blackboard that has "Vitamin D" written on it.

Vitamin D

Studies have found that many people with rheumatoid arthritis (an inflammatory condition of the joints) are also deficient in vitamin D.1 Vitamin D deficiencies are incredibly common. A vitamin D supplement may help reduce inflammation and joint pain.

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Omega-3 or fish oil

Omega 3 yellow capsules.Omega-3 supplements or fish oil may also help to reduce inflammation2 and improve joint health. You can get more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet by consuming certain foods such as fish or taking them as a supplement. It may take up to 3 months of taking omega 3s before you notice results.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow spice containing a multitude of health benefits. You can add turmeric to food or take it as a supplement. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, may reduce joint pains and aches, and can help improve the range of motion.

Vitamin K

vitamins for healthy skinVitamin K helps your body absorb calcium properly and helps your cartilage structure develop properly. You can get extra vitamin K in your diet by eating dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collards.

Calcium

Many people are familiar with calcium as being beneficial for bone health. Calcium also benefits the joints because it can help reduce inflammation and pain, especially in the knees. Women usually need more calcium3 supplements than men because they tend to have smaller bones and are more prone to osteoporosis.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is an amino sugar naturally found in connective tissue (the type of tissue that makes up joints). A glucosamine supplement can help slow cartilage loss and reduce swelling and pain.

Chondroitin 

Chondroitin is also naturally found in the connective tissue. It keeps cartilage healthy by absorbing fluid and blocking certain enzymes that cause the cartilage to break down. It also helps to provide building blocks that allow the body to produce new cartilage.

Boswellia 

Close-up of a single branch with two leaves on the end of it.Boswellia is a plant extract widely used in natural medicine for treating arthritis and other conditions such as ulcerative colitis, open wounds, and asthma. You may also hear of it referred to as Indian frankincense. Boswellia can help reduce inflammation4 and lessen symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa) 

Cat’s Claw is a plant-derived supplement that comes from a woody vine. It contains chemicals called tannins and sterols which help to reduce inflammation. Some studies have even found that Cat’s Claw might help with knee pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis5 without causing side effects.

How do the Joints Change as You Age?

As you age, your joints become stiffer and less flexible, making injury more likely. Lubricating fluids in the joints can diminish, causing the cartilage to get thinner. Thinning cartilage sometimes causes bones to rub against each other, leading to varying aches and pains.

Tips to Keep Your Joints Healthy

In addition to taking beneficial vitamins and supplements, incorporating some healthy routines into your daily life helps keep your joints healthy.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight can put extra stress on the joints and bones. Maintaining a healthy weight helps to reduce the amount of pressure that is placed on the joints to prevent pain and joint damage.

Stay Active

A person running downhill a mountain field.Moving and exercising supports healthy joints and muscles and works to prevent stiffness. Low-impact exercise is ideal for maintaining joint health. Some examples of low-impact exercise include walking, swimming, and cycling. Staying active also helps with maintaining a healthy weight.

Stretch Regularly

Consistent stretching helps to keep your body moving, active, and fluid. Stretching increases the range of motion and maintains the lubrication within the joints, helping to reduce aches and pains while minimizing the risk of injuries.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

A healthy diet can elevate your overall health and help you achieve weight-loss goals. Eat foods high in vitamin D and calcium, such as dairy products, to help support healthy joints and bones. Foods with healthy fats, like salmon and mackerel, can also help lubricate joints and prevent aches and pains.

Proper Posture

Keeping your posture straight helps maintain joint health. Poor posture can stress the joints and increase your risk of injury. Be mindful of your posture when sitting, standing, sleeping, and lifting heavy objects.

Oral Vitamins vs. IV Infusion

Nurse in a patient's home, delivering IVIV therapy is a great way to increase certain vitamin levels, such as vitamin D and vitamin C. Vitamin IV infusions deliver a blend of different beneficial vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream.

When taken orally, vitamins take much longer to break down in your digestive system. IV infusions bypass the digestive system and immediately target the bloodstream, allowing the vitamins to absorb and quickly reinvigorate your body.

Summary

Keeping your joints healthy can help prevent aches and pains, allowing you to get more out of your valuable day. Supporting your body in the right ways through a nutritious diet, exercise, and taking the right vitamins helps to keep your joints healthy and strong. Consult with your doctor about the specific types of vitamins that are best for you, and consider IV therapy as a method to boost your vitamin and mineral intake.

In-Home IV Treatments With Drip Hydration

Our mobile IV infusions are a convenient way to restore key vitamins and replenish your body quickly. Our vitamin IV treatments take less than an hour and are administered by one of our registered nurses.

Click the button below to schedule your appointment today!

Vitamin IV Therapy - Frequently Asked Questions

What is IV therapy, and how does it work?

IV therapy is a process in which fluids, vitamins, minerals, and/or medications are administered into the bloodstream via a catheter. The catheter is inserted into a blood vein, the IV infusion bag is hung over the patient’s head, and gravity slowly drips the contents of the bag into the patient’s bloodstream.

Who can benefit from IV therapy?

Individuals in many walks of life can benefit from IV Therapy, including:

  • Athletes wanting to recover from an intense workout quickly
  • Busy parents who need a natural pick-me-up energy boost
  • Individuals who struggle with low vitamin levels or digestive absorption issues
  • Travelers who want to overcome jet lag quickly
  • Individuals who want fast relief from hangover or stomach flu symptoms
  • Individuals who want a quick infusion of beauty-boosting vitamins and minerals

What types of IV therapy treatments are available?

Drip Hydration offers a wide range of IV treatment options. Our IV infusions contain vitamins, fluids, minerals, electrolytes to help address many health and wellness targets.

We offer the following IV therapy treatments:

  • Dehydration
  • Energy Boost
  • Hangover
  • Immune Boost
  • Stomach Flu
  • Myer’s Cocktail
  • Recovery
  • Beauty
  • Super Immune
  • All-Inclusive
  • NAD+
  • NAD+ Boost
  • Iron

What are the benefits of IV therapy?

IV therapy offers many potential wellness benefits, including:

  • Rehydration
  • Boost low levels of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes
  • Help boost immune health
  • Help provide fast relief from symptoms of hangovers, stomach flu, headaches, jet lag, and more

In addition to these benefits, specialty treatments such as NAD+ may provide additional anti-aging, metabolic, and neurological benefits.

References

[1] Meena N. - Assessment of Vitamin D in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Correlation with Disease Activity. National Library of Medicine. Published 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5812075/;

[2] Simopoulos AP. - Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. National Library of Medicine. Published December 2002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12480795/;

[3] Chlebowski RT. - Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and joint symptoms in postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative randomized trial. National Library of Medicine. Published August 15, 2013. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4108192/;

[4] Siddiqui MZ. - Boswellia Serrata, A Potential Antiinflammatory Agent: An Overview. National Library of Medicine. Published 2011. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309643/;

[5] Piscoya J. - Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat’s claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. National Library of Medicine. Published September 2001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11603848/;