The current state of joint health solutions

Whether it’s an achy knee, a barking elbow or general inflammation and discomfort, joint health is top of mind when it comes to today’s consumers. Pain and swelling of the joints and soft tissue surrounding them affect nearly everyone—young and old, athlete or weekend warrior, male or female; none are immune to the effects of overuse, and general wear and tear of joints and the soft tissue around them.

The combination of an aging U.S. population—the U.S. Census Bureau predicted that, by 2035, adults 65 and older will outnumber children in the U.S. for the first time—and increased awareness of the importance of preventive health measures by younger Americans today has resulted in a booming joint health market. According to Euromonitor International, the joint health supplement market in the U.S. was worth US$769.3 million in 2018. On a global scale, Mordor Intelligence predicted that market will reach $3.3 billion by 2023.

It should come as no surprise, then, that “ingredients that reduce risk of arthritis, act as an anti-inflammatory, and protect cartilage around joints are in demand,” as Holly McHugh, communications manager, Imbibe, stated it.

Neutraceutical offers KAL 100% Vegan Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). A 2017 double-blind, randomized controlled clinical study by Lubis et. al. on 147 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) concluded, “Combination of glucosamine-chondroitin sulfate-MSM showed a significant clinical improvement, especially in terms of pain relief, in patients with grade I-II Kellgren Lawrence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) compared with … placebo.” (Acta Med Indones. 2017 Apr;49(2):105-111.)

Another ingredient popular in joint health supplements is turmeric, and specifically the compound curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of turmeric. One 2016 review concluded, “Patients with osteoarthritis showed improvement in pain, physical function and quality of life after taking curcumin.” (Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016 Sep 20;10:3029-3042).

Whether as a pill, capsule, drink or otherwise, more people are, and will continue to, purchase joint health supplements. Both an aging population trying to fight off Father Time and a younger, health-conscious consumer base looking to avoid him completely have contributed to a booming joint health market that continues to grow.

Read this article in full, and check out the rest of INSIDER's joint health digital magainze, here.