Joint Supplements: Ingredients For Ageless Mobility

What Are Joint Supplements?

Joint health is essential for maintaining mobility, flexibility, and an active lifestyle. However, as we age, our joints naturally lose cartilage. The quality and quantity of joint lubricating fluid also declines with age. The result is that we become more prone to stiffness, discomfort, and loss of functionality as time marches on. 

Joint supplements are dietary supplements designed to support and maintain joint health, providing key ingredients that promote cartilage health and joint lubrication, support healthy joint immune signaling, help reduce discomfort and stiffness, and promote long-term joint function and mobility.* 

Do Joint Supplements Actually Work?

The strongest evidence that a supplement is effective comes from high-quality scientific research where the effects of the compound are directly compared to a control group. These studies are called randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Many ingredients have been studied in this type of trial and have shown evidence of safely supporting joint comfort and mobility.* 

Here are a few examples.

Top Joint Supplement Ingredients

L-Carnitine

L-carnitine supports the mitochondrial conversion of dietary fat into the cell energy (ATP) our joints rely on to stay healthy. L-carnitine supports healthier mitochondrial energy production, and hence joint functions that require ATP, such as maintaining cartilage, producing joint lubricating and cushioning fluid, and making biomolecules needed for healthy joint structure and function [1,2]. In a human clinical study, L-carnitine supplementation supported joint health and cartilage maintenance biomarkers [3,4].* 

Boswellia seratta

The resin of Boswellia seratta, also known as frankincense or olibanum, has been used in Ayurveda for its health benefits for centuries. Boswellia is rich in bioactive compounds, including terpenes such as boswellic acids and amyrins [5,6].* In clinical studies, Boswellia seratta supported joint cartilage morphology, balanced levels of immune signaling molecules, and joint comfort, mobility, and functionality [7–10].* Boswellia seratta resin extract used in combination with Curcuma longa rhizome and Terminalia chebula fruit extracts also supported healthy joint function [11].*

Turmeric 

Turmeric (Curcuma longa rhizome) is a plant in the ginger family. Turmeric is rich in a type of polyphenols called curcuminoids, particularly curcumin, which has many beneficial properties that support healthy aging and longevity, including the management of senescent cells [12–16].* In clinical studies, turmeric promoted antioxidant defenses, balanced levels of immune signaling molecules, and supported joint comfort and functionality [17–20]. Turmeric extract in combination with tamarind seed extracts (as TamaFlex®) promoted the maintenance of cartilage integrity and supported comfort, mobility, and functionality [21–23].* 

Eggshell Membrane

Eggshell membrane is the thin film lining the inside of an eggshell. It is mostly made up of proteins such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and glycosaminoglycans (like chondroitin sulfate), all of which are important for joint health. Eggshell membrane is a relatively new but promising ingredient for joint health [24]. We particularly like a brand called Ovomet®, which has been clinically studied for supporting mobility and joint health [25]. Ovomet® also supported tendon elasticity and strength [26], which is another important aspect of physical performance.* 

Ginger 

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) is well known for its use as a food spice, but it also has a long history of use in traditional healing customs. Ginger offers a variety of health benefits thanks to its ability to support healthy immune signaling and antioxidant defenses, among other properties [27–29]. Clinical studies have shown that ginger may support joint comfort, functionality, and mobility [30–32]. Ginger used in combination with turmeric was also beneficial for joint support [46].*

Beyond Glucosamine and Chondroitin

The joint health market relies heavily on well-known and widely used ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These ingredients have shown benefits in clinical studies for certain aspects of joint health, especially in the long term, although benefits have not always been consistent, particularly when used in combination [33–38].* 

We believe they can be good options for long-term joint support, but they aren’t innovative. Furthermore, these ingredients require large amounts to match what’s been used for joint support in clinical studies, which means they take up several capsules. So, with new ingredients constantly being developed and countless possibilities for inventive and effective combinations, why not move beyond glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate? We did so with QUALIA JOINT HEALTH.

Qualia Joint Health: Your All-In-One Mobility Partner

QUALIA JOINT HEALTH is a joint supplement designed for fast-acting support for joint comfort and mobility and includes 10 advanced nutrients & botanicals:

• Undenatured Collagen (from Ovomet® Eggshell Membrane)
• Hyaluronic Acid (from Ovomet® Eggshell Membrane)
• L-Carnitine
• Boswellia extract as ApresFlex®
• Turmeric extract as part of Tamaflex®
• Tamarind extract as part of Tamaflex®
• Ginger extract as GingerT3®
• Terminalia chebula extract
• Cucumber extract as CuberUp®
• Boron

Learn more about the ingredients in QUALIA JOINT HEALTH in our article Qualia Joint Health Ingredients.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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