When you are dealing with knee pain, whether it be caused by a simple strain or a degenerative condition like osteoarthritis, it can feel completely debilitating. However, plenty of options are available to help you reduce the effect it has on your life, most of which don’t even need you to talk to your doctor.
Human and animal studies have proven natural supplements can be just as effective as those you get from a healthcare provider and are sometimes even better. The only issue is that it is hard to know which to pick because they use many different ingredients and come in capsules, soft gels, or powder form.
There are then even additional things to consider, like does the product list its batch number or date of production? That is why we have made our guide to the best supplements on the market for people dealing with knee problems today to help you take control of the issue and get on with your life.
The 7 Best Supplements For Knee Joint Pain Relief
- FlexAgain
- Joint Buddy
- Nordic Naturals Vegan Algae Omega
- Genacol Joint & Mobility
- Solgar Glucosamine, Hyaluronic Acid, Chondroitin, MSM
- U.S. Doctors’ Clinical Arthro-7 Healthy Joint Support
- Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength With Vitamin D
FlexAgain
FlexAgain is the best supplement for knees today, using only optimal doses of high-quality, scientifically proven, natural ingredients. It is suitable for use to treat anything from mild joint stiffness to severe arthritis pain.
The FlexAgain formula consists of omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin extract (turmeric), glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, ginger and blue galangal extracts, bromelain, resveratrol, boswellic acid, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), vitamin K, and vitamin D.
Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats most commonly found in fish oil but also some legumes, nuts, and seaweeds. They are very effective for helping lubricate the joints, promote connective tissue growth, and relieve degenerative diseases like arthritis.
Vitamin D may not relieve joint pain directly, but it will prevent you from becoming vitamin D deficient. Research suggests that a vitamin D deficiency can cause joint pain and several other adverse effects on your health; taking it in supplements will stop the problem before it begins.
Vitamin K then offers almost identical benefits to vitamin D, improving its absorption and efficacy. The Arthritis Foundation also says it is beneficial for combatting knee osteoarthritis pain.
Ginger is a potent antioxidant that can significantly reduce inflammation, one of the top causes of joint pain and a big reason why joint damage isn’t repaired. Blue galangal extract also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and promote recovery even more.
The Arthritis Foundation also says that using supplements for arthritis that contain both ingredients will produce effects up to 12 times as potent as using either ingredient on its own. They will both also make the effects of blood thinners more powerful.
Boswellic acid is a natural compound found in Boswellia serrata trees, resveratrol comes from grapes and almonds, and turmeric is found in the roots of the Curcuma longa plant and contains curcumin.
All three ingredients have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can ease joint pain and prevent damage to the connective tissue or cartilage, the tissue that cushions joints. The curcumin will also block free radical activity, preventing new inflammation or damage.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are often used together as complementary and integrative health research suggests pairing is one of the best ways to boost joint health. They can do anything from helping reduce joint stiffness to treating osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis pain and symptoms.
MSM is naturally found in green vegetables, while bromelain is an enzyme extracted from pineapples. Both relieve joint pain and combat rheumatoid arthritis symptoms while helping restore joint function lost due to joint inflammation or cartilage degradation.
Studies by the National Center For Disease Activity also show that MSM is especially good at boosting joint health and functions when used in glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
Its diverse formula allows FlexAgain to tackle joint issues from virtually every angle, making it as effective as current medications available on prescription or physical therapy. That is why we feel it is easily the best supplement on the market today for people with trouble with their knees.
Pros
- Every active ingredient, such as glucosamine, is proven by rigorous testing to relieve joint pain.
- Only optimal doses have been used to ensure maximum efficacy without causing side effects.
- Will enhance joint health and functions at the same time
- Can treat arthritis pain and symptoms
Cons
- It is pricey and only available directly from the official FlexAgain website.
- You may need to speak to a healthcare provider before you use it if you are on blood thinners.
Joint Buddy
Joint Buddy is a new joint supplement that uses a diverse formula of ingredients proven to support the joints while still retailing for an affordable price.
The Joint Buddy formula contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, and E, selenium, zinc, copper, boron, manganese, chromium, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, green-lipped sea mussel, MSM, l-histidine, alfalfa powder, yuca, devil’s claw, and CMO.
Vitamin C, CMO, MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin have all been seen in the other joint supplements we have looked at, and they will again provide all of the same benefits.
Vitamin A boosts bone, eye, joint, skin, and immune system health, functions, and development. Vitamin B1 enhances bone growth, amino acid breakdown, energy levels, and alertness. Vitamin B3 improves your joint, skin, brain, and internal organ health and functions and cholesterol levels.
Vitamin B2 improves muscle, organ, bone, skin, antibody and blood cell growth and repair, digestion, nutrient metabolism, cell respiration, and hormone and energy levels. Vitamin B6 boosts your metabolism, neurotransmitter production, body, brain, and immune system health and functions.
Vitamin B12 improves bone marrow, DNA, nerve, red blood cells, testosterone production, brain and nerve health and functions, and metabolism, preventing inflammation and mental decline.
Vitamin E prevents inflammation, brittle bones, mental decline, and issues and aids the immune, heart, liver, and skin health and functions, metabolism, and hormone levels. Selenium combats arthritis and inflammation and aids cartilage, synovial fluid production, and joint health and functions.
Zinc reduces inflammation and the signs of aging and improves growth, DNA synthesis, eyesight, immune functions, wound healing, blood clotting, and metabolism. Copper enables the body to produce antioxidant enzymes.
Manganese prevents inflammation and anemia and improves joint, eye, and brain health and iron absorption. Boron improves joint health, bone density, blood plasma and testosterone production, and brain functions, preventing inflammation and high cholesterol.
Chromium helps the body absorb calcium, boosts blood glucose and energy levels, bone and muscle mass, nutrient breakdown, sleep quality, serotonin production, mental functions, weight management, and metabolism, and prevents hunger cravings and blood sugar spikes.
Green-lipped sea mussel extract protects the cartilage and combats hormonal imbalances. L-histidine boosts blood cells, bodily tissue and nerve growth, repair and maintenance, weight loss, and metabolic syndrome symptoms, and reduces inflammation.
Alfalfa powder has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that also improve kidney, liver, digestive system, and internal organ health and functions.
Yuca contains antioxidants that combat free radicals, oxidative damage and stress, joint pain and swelling, high blood pressure, headaches, diabetes, and digestive issues. Devil’s claw extract reduces joint pain, discomfort, food cravings, and weight gain.
While some of its ingredients could do with more research, most are proven helpful in joint supplements. That’s why we rank Joint Buddy as the best dietary supplement for knees for people shopping on quite a tight budget.
Pros
- It uses potent doses of various proven ingredients like glucosamine sulfate.
- Offers benefits beyond just supporting the joints
- Cheaper than most supplements for arthritis
Cons
- It has to be bought directly from the official Joint Buddies website
- Being newer than many other supplements means fewer customer reviews are available
Nordic Naturals Vegan Algae Omega
Nordic Naturals Vegan Algae Omega is packed with 715 mg of pure omega-3 fatty acids in each serving, which are derived from marine algae oil, high oleic sunflower oil, and rosemary extract, making it one of the most popular supplements of its kind for vegans.
It can promote connective tissue growth and joint lubrication, reduce c-reactive protein production, and combat inflammation and degenerative autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Admittedly, the dosage is slightly lower than ideal, while the omega-3 sources being lumped into a proprietary blend is not great, making it hard to know precisely how well it will work. Not using additional proven ingredients like glucosamine is quite limiting as well.
However, as pure vegan omega-3 supplements are fairly relatively the best, evidence shows this one can deliver some notable benefits; Nordic Naturals Vegan Algae Omega is among the best supplements for vegans looking to use only omega-3s to soothe their knees.
Pros
- Omega-3’s are great for lubricating the joints and treating inflammation
- Vegans can use it
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- The dosage is a little low, and the proprietary blend hides the amount of each ingredient present.
- Using only one ingredient and omitting things like glucosamine limits how many ways it can benefit your knees.
Genacol Joint & Mobility
Genacol Joint & Mobility is designed to reduce joint pain and discomfort, improve joint lubrication and mobility, protect the joints from damage, and help maintain healthy joints. They say it uses a GMO-free formula with only clinically proven ingredients.
The Genacol Joint & Mobility formula comprises hydrolyzed Aminolock collagen and natural soluble eggshell membrane (from chicken eggs). We already saw how collagen obtained from animal cartilage works in supplements, and it will again provide the same benefits here.
The natural eggshell membrane contains type V and type X collagen and glycosaminoglycans, which help keep the joints, eyes, and bones healthy, boost your natural collagen production, reduce pain and cartilage damage, improve sleep quality, restore joint mobility and function, and treat osteoarthritis.
There are a few issues with the Genacol supplement, as while more research is needed on the use of collagen in joint supplements, some of the ingredient dosages also appear to be on the low side. It is also not suitable for use by vegetarians either.
However, as collagen does appear to be quite valuable and helpful in the symptoms of osteoarthritis, Genacol Joint & Mobility can still be one of the better supplements for treating osteoarthritis pain.
Pros
- Collagen appears to be quite helpful in treating osteoarthritis
- It omits beneficial ingredients like glucosamine
Cons
- The bovine collagen is of poor quality and low dosage
- Some users reported it not working or causing side effects
U.S. Doctors’ Clinical Arthro-7 Healthy Joint Support
U.S. Doctors’ Clinical Arthro-7 Healthy Joint Support is designed primarily for people dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. It is a GMO and gluten-free supplement containing vitamin C, collagen, CMO (cetyl myristoleate), lipase 30, MSM, turmeric, and bromelain.
Bromelain, MSM, and turmeric were all present in FlexAgain and will provide similar results regarding their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. The turmeric will be less effective here because the formula lacks a dedicated bioavailability enhancer.
Vitamin C and collagen have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint swelling and pain, and research on integrative medicine shows they work exceptionally well when paired together.
Collagen is also the primary building block of protein, so it aids cartilage and connective tissue growth and joint repair, reduces muscle soreness, and prevents joint pain or issues from worsening.
Vitamin C then boosts your overall health, enabling this process to occur as smoothly as possible, and it can also negate a build-up of liquid that can raise eye pressure and harm your eyesight.
CMO is a fatty acid often found in fish oil that, while not quite as effective as omega-3 fatty acids, can help relieve joint pain, promote joint lubrication, and may also help ease fibromyalgia.
Lipase 30 is an enzyme that improves the breakdown of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. This will improve joint mobility and lubrication and reduce arthritis pain even more while also helping to prevent fat storage and weight gain, both of which can make arthritis pain even worse.
One big issue with U.S. Doctors Clinical Arthro-7 Healthy Joint Support is that all its ingredients other than vitamin C are lumped together in one substantial proprietary blend.
This means we can’t know precisely how much of each ingredient is present or what results the supplement will produce. However, while this will understandably put several people off, positive reviews from past users show that it can help with rheumatoid arthritis.
So, while it will certainly not be for everyone, it can still be an excellent choice for people who are focused on trying to relieve the pain and symptoms caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Pros
- Very reasonably priced and easy to get hold of
- All of its ingredients are proven to promote healthy joints
- Specifically designed to ease joint pain in people suffering with rheumatoid arthritis
- Has received positive reviews from people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis
Cons
- Every ingredient except vitamin C being lumped into one proprietary blend makes it impossible to accurately predict what dosages are present or the effects that they will provide.
- It omits some of the most valuable ingredients, such as glucosamine
Solgar Glucosamine, Hyaluronic Acid, Chondroitin, MSM
Solgar Glucosamine, Hyaluronic Acid, Chondroitin, MSM is a gluten, GMO, and shellfish-free supplement made to support healthy joints and an improved range of motion and flexibility while being reasonably priced.
Its formula contains shellfish-free glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, and BioCell Collagen II, which contains undenatured type II collagen, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid.
Collagen, MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin will again reduce inflammation, pain, and any other symptoms caused by arthritis, repair damaged cartilage, and restore joint functions. The only difference is that glucosamine and chondroitin come from a fungus or lab rather than shellfish.
Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide that improves cartilage, ligament, tendon, and joint health, strength, mobility, flexibility, and elasticity; eases joint stiffness and pain; improves the functions and health of the eyes and skin; and reduces healing time wrinkles, and signs of aging.
The main issue with this supplement is that the hyaluronic acid and collagen are used in doses far too low to produce optimal effects. Collagen not being openly advertised may also be an issue for people shopping for vegan-friendly glucosamine supplements.
Despite its issues, though, if you are interested in taking glucosamine hydrochloride or hyaluronic acid and have a shellfish allergy or not much money to spare, Solgar Glucosamine, Hyaluronic Acid, Chondroitin, MSM can still be one of the best glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for you to try.
Pros
- It contains ample doses of high-quality MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin
- One of the lowest-priced, easy-to-get hold of glucosamine supplements
- Among the only glucosamine products suitable for people with shellfish allergies
- GMO and gluten-free
Cons
- Some of the ingredient dosages are a little low
- Not suitable for vegetarians
Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength With Vitamin D
Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength With Vitamin D is a gluten-free supplement that improves joint comfort in seven days while supporting the immune system.
The Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength With Vitamin D formula contains glucosamine hydrochloride, vitamin D3, sodium, patented Joint Shield 5-LOXIN Advanced boswellia serrata resin extract, and a Chondroitin/MSM complex.
Boswellia serrata, vitamin D, MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin have repeatedly been seen doing the same jobs. They reduce inflammation and pain, support connective tissues, combat free radicals, reduce cytokine levels, oxidative damage, and stress, and keep you generally healthy.
The mineral sodium can then help the body send nerve signals, build cartilage, retain water, and contract muscles. It may also work quite well when paired with glucosamine.
Admittedly, many ingredient dosages are a little lower than you will find in the most popular supplements, except glucosamine, but this is to be expected when buying cheaper supplements. Its primary essential nutrient, vitamin D, is present in a more than sufficient dosage.
That is why if you are shopping for affordable supplements to support your knees on a tight budget and want to rely heavily on vitamin D, Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength With Vitamin D is one of the better supplements to try.
Pros
- All its ingredients are proven to benefit your joints
- It contains a very pure form of glucosamine
- The price and serving size are both very reasonable
Cons
- Most of the ingredient dosages are on the low side
Final Thoughts On The 7 Best Supplements For Knee Joint Pain Relief
Whether you have arthritis or have a strain, supplements can cure knee issues without talking to your doctor. There are several excellent options on the market, although the best choice for most people will be FlexAgain.
Full of optimal doses of various clinically proven ingredients like glucosamine, FlexAgain can combat any issues you may be experiencing with your knees and virtually any other joint.
If, for any reason, it does not sound like the right option for you, then one of the other supplements on our list surely will. For everyone else, though, we highly recommend trying FlexAgain and seeing how effectively it relieves knee issues.
