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There are hundreds of vitamins & supplements on the market today, but how do you know which ones are even worth your time?
Now that I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 20 years, I have tried dozens and dozens of vitamins & supplements that claim to help with inflammation, joints, or just good health.
There are many that were duds, not helping pain or even making me feel good. Some I researched when I took biochemistry in college only to learn I was taking them the wrong way.
Chemist tip→ Did you know that just taking calcium doesn’t actually work in your body? It needs Vitamin D to be absorbed. Without that, it just floats around in your body! Biochemistry is absolutely fascinating and helps ensure you are getting the most out of your health.
So, the most common question I get asked on social media and through email is what vitamins & supplements do I recommend for healthier living, joint pain, and just in general?
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Pin This: Vitamins & Supplements Perfect for Inflammation, Joints, and Overall Health ↓
Glucosamine sulfate
Glucosamine is one of the most widely known joint supplements. It aides in joint health and supports cartilage. Many years ago, my Rheumatologist (who was one of the key researchers on medications like Enbrel & Humira!!) told me that I needed to be taking glucosamine sulfate, not another type. It has more studies proving that using the delivery method of the sulfate is more effective.
Why I take it? It helps keep my joints healthy and moving, limiting the stiffness and pain I get when I am really active. After so many years of inflammation, I am missing so much cartilage and this helps!
Why you should take it? It is great for all joint health, not just RA.
Vitamin B12
ENERGY! This vitamin is usually known as a great energy booster. I started taking it many years ago when I found out I was a little low on it after some blood work. I don’t take is every single day, but I go through stages where I add it in. Especially if I have been feeling run down.
The most effective one I have tried is this one. It is a quick dissolve method, so it will actually be absorbed by your body more efficiently. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have a taste either 🙂 I have tried other tablet forms without feeling much effect!
Calcium and Magnesium
Both are great for joint health! I take a combination pill which has daily doses of both. That chemist tip I mentioned above is important to remember about calcium. Calcium needs vitamin D to be absorbed. We usually get plenty of that through diet with foods like fish, eggs, cereal, and also sunlight.
If you don’t get any of those, you probably want to find a calcium supplement that also has Vitamin D in it, for better absorption.
This is my favorite one to buy and it is very affordable too!
Magnesium is an important mineral for women. It helps with building stronger bones, aiding in energy, and inflammation. You can read more on that here.
Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)
This is a prescription for me, but due to the many years of being on medications like methotrexate, I always take 1 mg of Folic Acid a day. Methotrexate depletes the folic acid in your body. Folic acid helps with healthy skin, hair, and keeping the nervous system healthy.
Why I take it? Since I have RA and take medications, it is very important to keep my folic acid levels in check.
Should you? Definitely talk with your doctor first because you don’t want to take too much of something. If you have RA like I do, you should probably be on it. Especially if you take methotrexate!
Probiotics
I have been taking probiotics for about 10 years, but they are all the rage now. I have tried so many different types. I have even tried Plexus and expensive ones that you have to buy online. My body did not do well with those types AT ALL. In fact, when I took the plexus probiotic my stomach swelled up so much, like I was going to pop.
Needless to say, I like taking a mild one that still gives my body healthy bacteria. Anyone who has digestive problems can benefit from a probiotic of some type.
I use this one and it is nice and easy on my stomach. I have also just used plain acidophilus which works good too. Having healthy intestines makes you just feel better overall!
Turmeric
When it comes to fighting inflammation and pain, turmeric is one of the most powerful supplements for pain. The chemical in turmeric called curcumin is a very tested long used pain reliever. I have used this many times of the years and it helps with arthritic pain so much!
This can be used for all sorts of inflammation and pain you have in your body too, not just joint pain.
Collagen
Collagen is important for skin repair and joint health. It is necessary for healthy cartilage around joints. Our bodies naturally produce collagen, but as we age, it produces less. That is why our skin wrinkles overtime.
This is the only brand I use now after experimenting with different options over the years. It is affordable and works better than most of the expensive brands I have tried.
Also, it really makes a difference HOW you take collagen. Here is a post on the function of collagen in your body that is very important to read. And this hot drink is my favorite way to take it. I also make this iced pink drink with collagen!
Should you take it? I think women need to take it especially as we get older.
Gelatin
Another one for healthy joints! If you notice on the label, it is also a type of collagen. According to most research I have come across, collagen hydrolysate from gelatin is one of the most proven supplements for joint health.
This brand is the best one I have tried BY FAR. Some of them can have a terrible smell or taste. This one doesn’t have either, I also put this in my morning smoothie. It is very important when you buy this product, to make sure it has one ingredient in it. If it has more than one, it isn’t natural and probably not as effective!
Chemist Tip on Gelatin
If you notice, the gelatin is also a type of collagen. It is a very different type compared to the collagen I mentioned above. They both have completely different chemical properties and work differently. This is why I use both. If you want to get just one, I would go with the gelatin because it also has a great source of protein!
Collagen powder doesn’t have protein in it, but is very important for skin and hair. This gelatin supplement is great for joint health and added protein.
Superfood Greens
This is not necessarily a supplement, but it is another thing I add to my smoothies. If you don’t eat many fruits and vegetables, this is the perfect solution. Our hormones and body functions need all these vitamins and minerals to function properly!
Although I eat mainly a plant based diet, I still like to add this to a smoothie to get even more benefits without having to add in dozens of fruits. This will get you all the recommended doses per day!
I use this brand and it has a good flavor, and doesn’t have a bad smell. Some brands have a HORRIBLE smell and after taste, so I stick with this one.
If you would like to see more of my chemist health tips, feel free to follow on Instagram where I share some fun stuff too!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. All of these vitamins & supplements have been tested by me over the years. I am a chemist with RA, so this is my passion to research and learn everything I can about health options in depth. ALWAYS ask your doctor if you are unsure about something!
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Wow good to know about calcium needing Vitamin D. I do love my B-12 liquid and folic acid…will have to look into the rest.
It’s amazing how the body works and needs certain things like that! I take all of these and it has really helped my health the past few years 🙂
These are great suggestions. I’ve been told to take vitamin D, B-12 etc. I just always forget to take my vitamins! I can’t take them in the morning because of other medication I need to take (thyroid replacement) and by the end of the day I have forgotten… I need some sort of system to remind myself
That is always the hard part! Trying to remember to take them! I just have that little box sitting by my computer so when I sit down in the mornings with my coffee, I see them!
I took pain medication 2 X’s a day for 16 years.
I always took it before I brushed my teeth.
If you keep your mess next to the toothpaste, it also helps!
This is so awesome! So much good information. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks girl!!!
I had no idea about calcium needing Vitamin D. Yay for FL sunshine, and I’ve also been taking a Vitamin D supplement while pregnant since the baby takes it all from me apparently! I need to start the probiotics too 🙂
Green Fashionista
That sunshine is perfect for Vitamin D! Probiotics are always good to take for intestinal health 🙂
You are such a fount of great info, Alexis! Of course, I have to take the folic acid (thank you methotrexate), and I also take magnesium powder (Calm), Vitamin D, and a multi-vitamin. Interesting that your folic acid is a prescription – I can purchase 1mg from the Kaiser pharmacy (exclusively) without a prescription. I will check into these other supplements.
Thanks Laurie! I just use the prescription since my insurance pays for all of it, so it is just a free form. It is just the same as over the counter though! I love the Calm Magnesium powder too, great stuff!
Nice information! I’m wondering how you feel about ginger? We had dinner at a Thai restaurant for the first time & there was lots of ginger in our meals. I have RA, too, & something happened to my walking. No more limping & I immediately thought it might be due to the ginger. It’s a nice thought anyway.
Thanks Linda! I love ginger! I love adding it to iced tea or smoothies. It is such a great anti-inflammatory!
Great post! I know someone that was suffering from joint pain and her doctor told her to take vitamin B12.
Thank you! It definitely helps increase my energy levels!
While my mom was visiting last weekend she was telling me about B12. We were out running errands and made a special detour to go find some for me. I love it so far! Now I’ll be looking into some more of these!
B12 has definitely helped with my energy levels! I have the best luck with this dissolvable one, so much more potent! That is so good you are liking it so far!
Thanks for this list. I just received a container of collagen from vital proteins that I am going to try out. This is very helpful info.
Thanks Ivanna! Collagen is such a great product!
Thanks so much for sharing this at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Great information! 🙂
Thanks Stacey!
Having RA too I have not begun taking any supplements except calcium/VIt. D. You offered some great products and this is so helpful.
I started incorporating more supplements many years ago and it made the world of difference for inflammation. If I miss a day of taking them, I can definitely tell the difference! Thanks Michelle!
Great list, I also have RA and take most of these. I use Glucosamine HCI because it has lower sodium level. Recent studies show it is as effective as Glucosamine Sulfate. I need to add the collagen. Thanks for the info!
Thanks Carol! Collagen has been a fantastic addition to my supplement list. It really helps with joint lubrication. HCl is another good delivery method of glucosamine! I don’t have as much success with it though as far as helping knee pain, so I stick with sulfate. It’s amazing how so many natural supplements help with arthritic pain! 🙂
Maybe I’ll give Sulfate another try to see if there is a difference. Hopefully my ankles won’t sweel.
It definitely has worked better for me over the years. Let me know how it goes!! I hope you can get some relief from your ankle pain!
I’m always amazed by how the body works. Great post! Thanks for sharing.
I am too! The body is so interesting and intricate!! Thanks Valerie!
Thanks for sharing your take on these supplements, So helpful! Pinning and stumbling!
Thanks so much!!!
That seems like a good anti-inflammatory mix of supplements. Thanks for sharing them.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Thanks Kathleen! This is such a great list and has helped so much with pain and inflammation!
Alexis ~
I enjoy your posts and the recipes, facts and fun things you share. It’s one of my favorite stops of the day.
Because of your chemist background, I’d like for you to check out Juice Plus+. We have the research behind it showing it reduces systemic inflammation and I’ve seen it help so many with RA as well as other autoimmune deficiency disorders.
Just wanted to share.
Hi Wendy! Thanks so much for your comment 🙂 I love hearing how much our readers enjoy these posts! I had someone reach out to me on Instagram about juice plus and she sent me a lot of information. I emailed her back, but didn’t hear anything after that. I will reach out again and see! Thanks so much!
Alexis, what wonderful information you put out. Awesome, love it. Turmeric, great stuff. I add it to my smoothies for my 94 year old father and he seems a difference in his joints every now and then. I do not use a huge amount as it throws off the berry taste. I read on a smoothie site that is should be used with citrus, and I don’t do the citrus. I tried super foods and even beet powder in smoothies as well. No change in my running or health from them. I have been taking Glucosamine for years now and do not see any difference in that as well. I am all about health and the body so I try everything for myself as well as my dad. Thank you again.
Turmeric is such a good supplement! I definitely prefer collagen to glucosamine for joint health, it has worked better for me.