Supplements for joint pain
What the joint-supplement aisle gets right — and what 30 years of trials show.
Glucosamine + chondroitin has weak average evidence but a subset of patients respond. Niacinamide at 3 g/day matched NSAIDs in the Jonas 1996 OA trial — but exceeds the 900 mg/day NIH ODS UL; monitor liver enzymes. Curcumin (bioavailable forms — Meriva, Theracurmin) has multiple positive RCTs. Boswellia serrata is well-tolerated and has evidence in OA. Omega-3 reduces NSAID requirement modestly. MSM has small but real evidence. Collagen peptides help tendons via vitamin C cofactor (Shaw protocol).
79
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
79
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624
78
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
75
Collagen peptides
74
Boswellia serrata
74
Niacinamide (nicotinamide)
72
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
72
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
71
VSL#3 / Visbiome (multi-strain)
70
Tart cherry (Montmorency)
70
Lactoferrin
70
Lactobacillus reuteri
70
Pomegranate extract (ellagic acid)
70
Hydroxytyrosol (olive extract)
70
Eggshell membrane (NEM)
69
Rutin
69
Amla / Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica)
69
Chondroitin sulfate (standalone)
68
Bromelain
68
Andrographis paniculata
68
Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus)
67
Flaxseed oil (ALA omega-3)
67
Marine collagen (fish-derived)
66
Wobenzym (systemic enzymes)
65
Curcumin (bioavailable form)
Educational reference, not medical advice. Discuss any supplement change with a qualified clinician before acting on this list.