5 min
Which food supplement should you choose to relieve osteoarthritis?
Ah, osteoarthritis, this disease which seems to have taken the “lifetime subscription” option for those who suffer from it. Pain, stiffness and limitation of joint mobility often affect morale and quality of life.
But, there is hope ! And it comes in the form of dietary supplements such as marine collagen and MSM. These supplements have gained popularity in recent years due to their potential to relieve joint discomfort and promote joint flexibility . And the best part is that it’s scientifically proven! They therefore have a good place among the good habits to adopt to take care of your joints .
In this article, we will take a detailed look at using dietary supplements to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms.
Concretely, what is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease that today affects 10 million French people . It is characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage that covers the bone ends in the joints.
Cartilage deterioration leads to joint inflammation and pain , which can lead to increased synovial fluid production (the body then tries to compensate), causing swelling and stiffness. Bones can rub against each other, leading to deformities, while soft tissues such as ligaments and muscles can also be damaged.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis can vary depending on the severity of the disease and the affected area:
- Joint pain and stiffness;
- Limitation of mobility;
- Cracking;
- Loss of flexibility and muscle strength.
The most difficult part obviously remains pain management, which is particularly intense during an osteoarthritis attack.
This chronic disease is often linked to aging. However, there is no need to wait until retirement age to suffer from it since the causes of osteoarthritis are multiple and can also affect younger people: genetic factors, excess weight, repeated joint injuries, etc.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that requires long-term management, as there is currently no definitive cure.
How to effectively relieve osteoarthritis with food supplements?
Before discussing food supplements related to osteoarthritis pain, it should be noted that conventional treatments also exist to relieve the symptoms of this disease. We invite you to contact your doctor for any medication.
Food supplements can sometimes be taken continuously and are a natural alternative to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis . They are often used to increase collagen production and improve joint health.
We cannot completely cure osteoarthritis, but we reduce discomfort and pain by giving our body a solid crutch to live with this disease.
Marine collagen: an effective protein for relieving osteoarthritis
What about collagen?
It is a natural protein found in the body that helps maintain the structure of connective tissues, including joint cartilage. Too confused? Well, to put it simply, cartilage acts as a buffer between bones, allowing joints to move without excessive friction.
There are three types of collagen:
1️⃣ Type I collagen is the most abundant protein. It also helps form bones, participates in wound healing, and allows better elasticity of the skin and blood vessels.
2️⃣ Type II collagen primarily helps build cartilage and is known for joint health.
3️⃣ Type III collagen will have similar benefits to type 1.
Why do we talk about “marine” collagen?
Marine collagen, found in the form of a dietary supplement, is extracted from fish skins, bones and bones.
Marine collagen supplements have been studied for their ability to reduce pain and improve joint mobility in people with osteoarthritis. This is a very good way to relieve joint pain .
A 2016 study showed that marine collagen supplements improve pain and joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
🔎 Choose your marine collagen:
You can find all our advice for choosing the best collagen in our dedicated article. But overall here are our recommendations:
- Check its manufacturing process.
- Choose the purest form of marine collagen (absence of harmful contaminants), rich in amino acids and highly bioavailable.
- Opt for collagen powder providing a minimum of 5g per day of hydrolyzed peptides.
MSM: active ingredient rich in sulfur complementary to marine collagen
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a natural sulfur compound found in certain foods (fruits, cereals, vegetables, etc.). It is also available in the form of a dietary supplement and will be used to treat inflammation and chronic pain such as osteoarthritis.
MSM was studied in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and results showed that those who received a daily dose of MSM for 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in joint pain and stiffness compared to the group placebo.
Another double-blind study showed that MSM clearly contributed to improving quality of life by helping to relieve pain related to osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, for example.
In combination with Marine Collagen, an MSM dietary supplement can provide additional relief for osteoarthritis sufferers by helping to reduce inflammation and pain. And that’s not too much to ask!
🔎 Choose your MSM:
You know the song… To choose an MSM food supplement, there is only one key word: QUALITY .
- As pure as possible;
- Without adding other ingredients or additives.
How to use marine collagen and MSM for osteoarthritis?
Marine collagen
The recommended daily dose generally ranges from 5 to 15 g depending on the intensity of your pain and symptoms. The ideal is to carry out a treatment of at least 3 months.
The MSM
The recommendation is 4 and 6 g per day. MSM often comes in the form of a fine powder, very easy to dissolve in a glass of water or fruit juice. We recommend a minimum treatment of 4 months and more if you like!
It is entirely possible to take both at the same time to maximize their effect on the joints.
The final word
There you go, you now know everything about using food supplements to relieve pain related to osteoarthritis! Keep in mind that osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that unfortunately never goes away.
This is why marine collagen and MSM are not miracle cures for relieving osteoarthritis, but rather natural options that can help reduce attacks, alleviate pain and strengthen joints and cartilage.
Trust our little darlings to make (a little) peace with your joints!
Eloise Dubois-Gaché - Naturopath
Naturopath and FENA certified
Thanks to her solid experience in different herbalists, Eloïse includes, if necessary, complete and precise advice in phytotherapy, aromatherapy, gemmotherapy and micro-nutrition when setting up a personalized and adapted lifestyle program to everyone.
