Vitamin K290–180 mcg · with_food
Switches on a protein that keeps calcium in your bones and out of your joints.
Strong · 2 of 2 studies agreeResearch →
musculoskeletal · symptom
Joint Pain
Aching or stiff joints, worse after rest or hard use.
Top proven supplements
Studied in people, at a dose you can actually buy.4Studied in people, at a dose you can actually buy.
Curcumin500–1000 mg · with_food
Damps down the inflammation inside the joint. In trials it matched anti-inflammatory drugs without the stomach trouble.
Solid · 6 of 6 studies agreeResearch →
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)500–1000 mg · any
Thought to block the chemicals that carry inflammation and pain in a joint.
Solid · 1 study, positiveResearch →
Collagen10–15 g · any
Supplies the building blocks cartilage is made from.
Solid · 3 of 3 studies agreeResearch →
Might help
Real research, but thin or split. Worth knowing, not worth counting on.3Real research, but thin or split. Worth knowing, not worth counting on.
Bromelain500–800 mg · any
A pineapple enzyme, proposed to break down the chemicals that carry inflammation to a joint.
Mixed · 1 of 2 studies positiveResearch →
Boron3–9 mg · any
Lowers inflammatory markers and helps your body use calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.
Evidence · 3 of 3 studies agreeResearch →
Omega-32000–3000 mg · with_food
Your body turns EPA and DHA into the signals that shut joint inflammation down.
Evidence · 1 study, positiveResearch →
Tested — didn’t work
Measured properly against placebo. Nothing found.7Measured properly against placebo. Nothing found.
Glucosamine Sulfate1500 mg · any
Supplies a building block of cartilage. Whether enough reaches the joint to matter is unresolved.
No benefit foundResearch →
Vitamin D2000–4000 IU · morning
Vitamin D governs calcium in cartilage and steers the immune activity inside a joint.
No benefit foundResearch →
Chondroitin800–1200 mg · any
A building block of cartilage, meant to slow how fast it wears away.
No benefit foundResearch →
MSM3000–6000 mg · any
A sulfur compound, meant to lower inflammation and oxidative stress in the joint.
No benefit foundResearch →
Glucosamine HCl1500 mg · any
The same idea as the sulfate. The salt differs, and so did the result.
No benefit foundResearch →
N-Acetyl Cysteine600–1200 mg · any
Raises the antioxidant inside cartilage cells, meant to slow how fast they wear.
No benefit foundResearch →
Glucosamine + Chondroitin1500 mg · any
Two cartilage building blocks together, on the theory that the pair does more than either alone.
No benefit foundResearch →
No research yet
People take these for it. We haven’t found trials we would stand behind.6People take these for it. We haven’t found trials we would stand behind.
Manganese2–5 mg · any
Needed to build the cushioning matrix in cartilage, and to mop up damage inside it.
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Nicotinamide3000 mg · any
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Vitamin K2 MK-415–45 mg · with_food
Keeps calcium in your bones rather than letting it settle in cartilage.
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Saffron15–100 mg · any
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Selenium200–400 mcg · with_food
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Vitamin E500 IU · with_food
No trials we can vouch forResearch →