A lot of people are taking all sorts of supplements for all sorts of problems these days. They are generally seen as more user friendly than pharmaceutical medication as they are generally made from natural products. With all the different supplements out there, you may be wondering which ones are the best ones for you to take? As an Osteopath I deal with issue of the musculoskeletal system and therefore the supplements I recommend are ones that help the muscles and joints. Generally, most supplements can be taken by everyone and have very few side effects. It can be a good idea to check with your doctor if you take other medications, but otherwise give them a try. Here are the three supplements I most commonly recommend.
1. Chondrosamine
2. Magnesium
3. Tumeric/Curcumin
1. Chondrosamine
Chondrosamine is a big long word that probably doesn’t mean much to most people. It’s a combination of chondroitin and glucosamine. You can get these supplements individually, but most people tend to go for the combination these days. Both glucosamine and chondroitin occur naturally in the body and help with cartilage in the joints. Over time your cartilage can wear down and this can lead to pain and symptoms. Chondrosamine can help to increase the cartilage in your joints which can help to decrease pain and symptoms.
2. Magnesium
Magnesium is a great supplement for several reasons, the main benefit is to the muscles. It can help to relax muscles, this can help to decrease muscles soreness. If you’ve had a big day at the gym or playing sport you might find that your muscles stiffen up and you may experience pain and soreness. If you are taking magnesium, this can help to relax the muscles and decrease your pain and soreness. Magnesium is also a great way to help relieve muscle cramps. Other benefits of magnesium are a reduction in anxiety and help with sleeping. Overall, it’s a great supplement.
3. Turmeric/Curcumin
Turmeric is the new wonder supplement. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that gives you the health benefits. It’s great for several reason but when it comes to the musculoskeletal system it is an excellent anti-inflammatory supplement. If you suffer an acute injury, like a sprained ankle, you can use curcumin to help reduce the swelling. If you suffer from an arthritic condition like Osteoarthritis you can use curcumin to reduce the inflammation that arises from this condition, therefore reducing pain and symptoms.