Joint pain is a problem that concerns a very important part of the population and can be caused for different reasons. In many occasions, we do not know how to differentiate between joint -, muscle- or bone aches and pain, what is important is to consult a specialist.
There are well-known and effective ingredients to treat this type of condition, two of the most popular are glucosamine and chondroitin.
The two most popular ingredients
- Glucosamine: it is found naturally in the body, but the amount decreases with age. It forms part of the tendons, ligaments, cartilage and sinus fluid, these last two have a buffering function avoiding friction in the joints and therefore also avoiding pain and stiffness. This ingredient also has an anti-inflammatory action.
- Chondroitin: provides the cartilage with its mechanical and elastic properties, providing compression resistance. In addition to its mechanical function, it is also a vehicle for nutrients, hormones and growth factors.
Different studies have shown that its combination with glucosamine significantly reduces pain in joint diseases.
Six other unknown ingredients we should take into account
As we said, there are other ingredients that are not as well known but have tremendous beneficial effects on joint health. The synergy of all these ingredients is what produces this effect; if we take them individually the benefits are not of the same calibre.
- Bamboo silica: it is collected from the bamboo stem knots and is one of the richest natural sources of silica known. Although silica is an essential trace element essential for our joint health, only exists in small quantities in our body, so for optimal benefits it therefore must be ingested. Bamboo exudate stimulates the synthesis of collagen and facilitates reconstitution of cartilage and also has a remineralizing effect, which as we get older decreases considerably.
- Turmeric Extract: it is a well-known plant in Indian culture as a condiment (in fact it is one of the main components of curry). Traditionally it has also been used for medical purposes to treat different pathologies. It has been observed that curcumin, a component of turmeric, has a very positive effect on bone remodeling and on improving the mechanical strength of bone. It is also very effective in reducing the pain caused by osteoarthritis due to its ability to reduce inflammation.
- Black pepper extract: it is rich in piperine, a bioactive compound that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory activity, piperine is very effective for the relief of inflammation, pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis.
- Zinc: it is a necessary metal for the growth and normal functioning of the organism, although only small amounts are required. At a musculoskeletal level, it is known for its contribution to a normal acid-base metabolism, a normal functioning of muscles and the maintenance of bones. It has an analgesic effect during the first stages of inflammation and its anti-inflammatory effect is also appropriate for the symptomatic relief of certain joint pathologies.
- Manganese: it is present mainly in bones, liver, kidneys and pancreas. It is found in very small amounts in the body and helps to form connective tissue and bones and is very important for the absorption of calcium. There is evidence of improvement in symptoms and pain reduction in osteoarthritis, combined with glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Methylsulfonylmethane: it is a compound present in some fruits, vegetables, fish and milk, which provides sulphur through our diet and is highly bioavailable. Its therapeutic effects as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory show increase in the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as N-acetylcysteine and glutathione also the S. adenosylmethionine and taurine, caused by the increased level of of sulphur in the form of sulphate. In addition to acting as an anti-inflammatory and enabling the recovery of damaged cells and tissue structures, it alleviates pain in inflamed joints, tendons, vertebral disc and other muscular and motor system processes.
Last but not least
It is good that we introduce some of these ingredients into our diet, such as, turmeric for example, which is very anti-inflammatory, but if we want to have a greater bioavailability we can use food supplements that contain these components.
