Top 6 Supplement Ingredients to Support Joint Health

Joints play an essential role in how we move around every day. They allow us to bend our limbs so we can walk, sit down, and grab things—without joints, we'd be stiff as a board, with fewer points of articulation than a cheap action figure.

We need our joints every day, so we should take care of them every day, especially for overall mobility and comfort as we age and to stay physically active. Several specific ingredients play a role in maintaining joint function and comfort. Let's break down exactly what they are and what they do.

What is Good for Joint Health Support: 6 Key Ingredients

What is good for joint health is good for mobility, comfort, and overall wellness. Here are six key ingredients found in supplements that contribute to joint health.

#1 Glucosamine

You may not recognize the word glucosamine, but your joints sure do. Glucosamine is a compound found in cartilage, an essential tissue in the function of our joints. Cartilage is a softer tissue that helps cushion joints, so our bones don't rub directly against each other. Glucosamine supports joint cartilage to help maintain healthy joint function.^†

#2 Chondroitin

Chondroitin is another naturally occurring compound found in cartilage, helping absorb water into the tissue.^[1] Nature Made Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex with MSM Triple Strength^‡ + Vitamin D3 provides 800 mg of chondroitin to help support joint cushioning.^†

#3 MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

MSM is a compound that provides sulfur, an essential component of collagen and cartilage formation. A supplement containing MSM can help support your joint comfort.^†

#4 SAM-e (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine)

No, SAM-e isn't simply a person’s name; it also means S-Adenosyl-Methionine. Your body produces SAM-e from dietary methionine.^[2] SAM-e supports joint comfort as we age.^†

#5 Collagen

Collagen may be more commonly identified as a component of your skin (which it is), but it's also a key component in your cartilage and bones. Collagen cartilage and connective tissue health by supporting joint structure and overall comfort.^[3] Nature Made Collagen Peptides Drink Mix Powder provides a source of this joint support ingredient. Collagen can also be found in bone broth as a dietary source.^†

#6 Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular spice and herbal supplement. Nature Made's Turmeric Curcumin Supplements provide a clinically studied source of Turmeric with its active ingredient, Curcumin, to help support healthy inflammation response and support mobility as we age.^†

How to Incorporate These Ingredients into Your Routine

Now that you know six helpful ingredients for joint support, what's the best way to incorporate them into your routine? Food sources are the best way to get most dietary ingredients. However, while these ingredients are present in plants and animals, not all have edible food sources. In those cases, supplements can help provide a source where dietary ones may be rare or lacking.

Where might one find glucosamine? Most glucosamine is found in chitin, the shells of shellfish. Though we do eat shellfish, we don't eat their shells; they're too crunchy! As a result, there are no food sources for glucosamine.^[4] Most supplements help make the chitin more digestible.

Chondroitin is found in cartilage, similarly, something we tend not to eat. However, bone broth is a dietary source of chondroitin. Nature Made also offers supplements that include this joint health ingredient as well as other joint support options.^†

Eating foods high in sulfur can include MSM in your diet. This means garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, and more.

Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM are included in Nature Made^®'s Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex with MSM Triple Strength + Vitamin D3 supplement, with 1500 mg Glucosamine to help support healthy joint cartilage, 800 mg Chondroitin to help support joint cushioning, and 750 mg MSM, a source of dietary sulfur.^†

Where do we normally get SAM-e from in our diet? While SAM-e isn't common in food sources, our body creates it out of the amino acid methionine found in foods high in protein. This list includes fish, beef, eggs, chicken, nuts, and seeds. SAM-e supplements like Nature Made SAM-e Complete^® Tablets provide a source to support joint comfort and a healthy mood.^†

Collagen is found in many skin-health supplements, but you can find it in bone broth alongside other joint health ingredients.^†

Turmeric is a common spice in Indian cuisine. You might find turmeric in curry, and you can pull it off your spice rack to spice up your home cooking. Nature Made Turmeric Curcumin High Absorption Capsules provide a clinically studied turmeric ingredient.^†

As always, it's best to consult with a trusted healthcare provider before beginning or changing your supplement routine.

How Can I Keep My Joints Healthy?

What is good for joint health? Keeping your joints healthy requires more than just diet and supplementation; these are just one part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Staying active, including low-impact exercise like swimming and walking, helps maintain joint flexibility as you age.

Regular exercise can also help maintain a healthy weight, which reduces pressure on joints and helps reduce the risk of joint pain, especially in weight bearing joints like knees and hips. Regular stretching, yoga, and resistance training can help strengthen your joints and improve your flexibility.

One of the best ways to support overall wellness, including joint health, is through eating a balanced diet of nutrient-dense foods. Additionally, avoiding potentially harmful lifestyle choices like smoking and excessive alcohol intake can protect your health and joints.

Supporting Your Health with Nature Made

It's a joint effort: practicing a healthy, active lifestyle and consuming joint health ingredients through diet or supplementation work together to support your joint health.^† Prioritizing joint health is vital for maintaining mobility and wellness, particularly as we age and for those who live active lifestyles.

Glucosamine, MSM, SAM-e, Collagen, and Turmeric supplements can support your joint health daily. Nature Made offers Joint Health Supplements, including these ingredients, as a convenient way to incorporate them into your daily wellness routine.^†

Start building your personalized joint health routine today by speaking with a healthcare provider about lifestyle, diet, and supplements. They are best equipped with personalized information to help you find the best joint health plan for you. Explore our Joint Supplements to see Nature Made's options for joint health support.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Chondroitin Information | Mount Sinai - New York. Mount Sinai Health System. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/chondroitin
2. NCCIH. S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe): In Depth. NCCIH. Published January 2017. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/sadenosyllmethionine-same-in-depth
3. Martínez-Puig D, Costa-Larrión E, Rubio-Rodríguez N, Gálvez-Martín P. Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge. Nutrients. 2023;15(6):1332. Published 2023 Mar 8. doi:10.3390/nu15061332
4. Murray MT. 83 - Glucosamine. ScienceDirect. Published January 1, 2020. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323430449000832