What supplements can I take for chronic muscle and joint soreness?

What supplements can I take for chronic muscle and joint soreness?

Jerry Pryde, MD, MPH, CIME (Clinical Chief, Department of Rehabilitation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) gives expert video advice on: Should I drink water or sports drinks while exercising?; Is it possible to hydrate too much?; What do my muscles use for energy when exercising? and more...

Dietary supplements have become very popular. Two of the most popular for joint pain or an arthritic joint are Glucosamine and Chrondroitin Sulfate. There have been some studies done in the use of those. In general they work well for weight-bearing joints such as an ankle, a knee, or a hip. I have patients who ask if they should be using those supplements for spine arthritis, people that have arthritis in their neck or in their low back, and the studies haven't been particularly clear on this. I would caution you to watch the dosages. Sometimes because these dietary supplements are not being regulated by the FDA, that their recommended dose on the label of it may exceed what actually was shown to be effective in the studies. So you want to be careful not to take too much of it. Starting low is always the best way to start. Start with the lowest amount and see if that's effective for you.