Joint health supplements have been an aid for me for years, helping me soothe some inevitable damage from years of sports and martial arts.
Many natural ingredients are beneficial in reducing inflammation and joint pain, and well-formulated blends of multiple compounds are even more effective. Mobility is a must if you intend to move freely through old age, and supplements can help you maintain mobility.
Joint Food is a popular product in the joint health segment, but every time I see a proprietary blend in a supplement, I am almost certain the product is ineffective, and Joint Food has two.
Does it live up to its big promises, or does it fail like every other proprietary blend supplement? This review will give you the answers.
Pros
- Full of ingredients proven to alleviate joint pain
- Third-party tested for contaminants
Cons
- Abysmally underdosed ingredients
- The price is too high for the dosages
Quick Verdict
Joint Food is severely underdosed and uses unproven ingredients. Therefore, you are unlikely to experience joint relief benefits.
For an effective joint supplement, try FlexAgain. It’s better dosed than anything else on the market, contains the correct amounts of 11 well-backed ingredients, and has a money-back guarantee.
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Who Are Nordic Health Living
The company producing Joint Food is called Nordic Health Living and is located in Norway. Their team of medical and Ayurvedic specialists developed natural solutions, resulting in two supplements called Joint Food and Bone Food.
With clinical research and production facilities in Europe, India, and Japan, where many of the natural components are sourced, the company aims to produce top-quality, high-purity, and effective supplements.
Joint Food Ingredients: A Closer Look
Vitamin C
To begin with one of the few positives about Joint Food, Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that promotes collagen formation, which is critical for joint health [1]. Joint Food contains an appropriate dose of 50mg, which is 57% of the daily required amount.
While this is a beneficial element, its effect on joint health may be limited. This is especially true because most individuals consume enough vitamin C, while other vitamins and minerals would be more beneficial. For example, most Americans lack vitamin D, which reduces joint pain [2].
Tamasteen Blend 300mg
Tamarind Seed Extract
Tamasteen and tamarind seed extract are recent additions to the joint health supplement market. The data on their efficacy is still sparse, at best.
Even 300mg is too low based on the two clinical trials that showed positive benefits in alleviating joint pain. At the same time, in Joint Food, Tamarin shares the 300 mg with two additional ingredients as a part of a proprietary blend, which points to severe underdosing.
Mangosteen
The inclusion of mangosteen in Joint Food is disputable because existing research on its advantages for joint health is mainly based on animal studies, with insufficient proof of its usefulness in human trials [4].
Turmeric Extract
Turmeric is a well-known anti-inflammatory substance that has been extensively researched for its ability to reduce joint pain[5].
This makes it worthwhile to include it in Joint Food, and it is a common element in other joint supplement formulations.
However, this is the second-largest component in a 300mg proprietary blend. For Tumeric to be effective, it must contain at least 500mg of the active compound curcumin. Furthermore, curcumin makes up only approximately 10% of turmeric extracts.
The substance is very effective for joint pain in the correct dose, but the one Joint Food is way too small to deliver any meaningful effects.
Proprietary Blend 367mg
The next proprietary blend has some proven powerhouses against joint pain, but some elements need more individually to be effective than the whole blend.
Nevertheless, we will examine each separately and determine the penitential benefits at the proper doses.
MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has been examined for its ability to alleviate joint inflammation and pain [6]. However, the effective dosage of MSM is between 1 and 3 grams.
MSM may be the highest-dosed ingredient in the proprietary blend, but the whole blend is one-third of the minimum effective dosage of MSM alone, meaning it is grossly underdosed.
Bromelain
As the second largest ingredient in this blend, bromelain may be present in a dose high enough to match the studies showing that the enzyme can reduce pain.
It works by breaking down inflammatory molecules in the body, lowering joint inflammation, and thereby relieving pain from arthritis or injuries [7].
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid injections have been demonstrated to be effective, with evidence suggesting that they may work topically. However, joint health results from oral intake are highly variable.
While there may be enough hyaluronic acid here, it is less effective than other joint health components. You can also find hyaluronic acid in a much cheaper and more effective form.
Boswellia
Boswellia is another potent ingredient and is well-backed by science. It is a natural anti-inflammatory that has been successfully used in clinical trials [9].
However, the recommended minimum dose for Boswellia is 100 mg, while in Joint Food, it is the fourth largest component of a 367 mg blend, so it's impossible to be at the correct dose.
Collagen Type II
Collagen type II can be effective. However, a pill cannot provide the amount needed for joint health. Collagen is usually taken as a powder because the optimal dose is between 10 and 20 g.
Even while there is no "ideal" dose of collagen for a joint pain relief supplement, the amount in Joint Food and many capsule supplements that contain is miniature in comparison to the data we have that it works.
Joint Food Price
Joint Food is expensive compared to other joint supplements, which I find quite strange, given that only one or two ingredients are adequately dosed.
The alternatives with the same price have much higher doses, while the products with comparable low dosages are much cheaper than Joint Food, making it very hard to recommend.
Price Per Serving (One Time Purchase)
- 1 Month Supply: $1.33 per serving
- 3 Months Supply: $1.55 per serving
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My Experience With Joint Food
I have some wear and tear on my body from the long years I have been an athlete. Combat sports, weightlifting, and rugby take their toll, and joint health supplements help me stay relatively supple and pain-free.
I take joint supplements regularly and stopped my regular intake for a month to try out Joint Food. Unfortunately, not only did I not feel any improvement, but things actually became worse, and some of the pains that hadn't plagued me recently came back.
After the 30-day test period, I stopped taking Joint Food and felt no change in my condition whatsoever.
Joint supplements are somewhat subjective as joint pain and inflammation depend on too many factors, but as someone who tests supplements, I know my body well and can tell you Joint Food did not have any positive effect.
Some users claim they feel improvements, but given the critically underdosed formulation, I have my doubts whether the supplement had anything to do with their pain relief.
Clinical Research
On multiple spots on the Joint Food website, you can see the claim that the product has been clinically tested. The message even says the three-substance blend called Tamasteen is the “clinically-proven secret” to the effectiveness of Joint Food.
However, there isn't a trace of the study itself, if one exists. This is a rather ugly practice supplement companies use, at least until they get sued for false advertising.
Of course, I cannot be sure the product hasn't been tested, but if there were indeed any peer-reviewed clinical studies, I believe Nordic Healthy Living would gladly show them to support their claims.
And even if Tamalsteen has been proven effective, the low dose and the fact that it’s only one part of the whole formula make me sincerely doubt Joint Food can effectively reduce joint pain or inflammation.
User Reviews & Testimonials
Joint Food has a 3.7-star rating on Amazon, which is not a bad score. But once you start reading individual reviews, you will find quite a few of them leaving 5 stars based simply on a fast delivery.
There are even reviews like this one: "The TV ad said we could see the results within 60 days, but I am on my 4th bottle no observed results my pain is still there". However, the score the reviewer left is 5 stars.
Some claim the product has helped relieve their arthritis or pain from joint replacement. I doubt the supplement was responsible for the positive effects, but supplements work differently on different people, so if taken long enough, there may be some net positive effects for some.
Negative Joint Food reviews frequently indicate that the product just did not work, which completely matches my personal experience.
On the company's website, there are over 100 reviews, with a total rating of 4.4/5, which is surprisingly good.
To Nordic Healthy Living's credit, the negative reviews are also visible, which is not often the case with many supplements.
Joint Food Side Effects
I didn't have any adverse effects with Joint Food, and concerns about them appeared to be rare in the reviews. Some people have reported nausea as a side effect, which is likely caused by turmeric extract.
Joint Food Alternatives
FlexAgain
Flex Again is my favorite joint pain supplement, which I had been using before trying Joint Food. It includes Omega 3, Curcumin, Boswellia, Bromelain, MSM, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Gingerols, Vitamin D, K2, and Resveratrol.
They are all at the appropriate dosages and have been clinically shown to alleviate joint pain. The price is comparable to Joint Food, but it is manufactured in the United States and is simply a superior product overall, which has helped me.
Joint Buddy
Joint Buddy is the most affordable choice I offer to most people, particularly those who have never tried glucosamine supplements for joint discomfort. For most people, this will have a positive effect.
It also contains the recommended amount of MSM and all vitamins and minerals relevant to joint health while costing half as much as Joint Food.
Sports Research Fish Oil
If you could only choose one element for joint health, it should be omega-3. It should be fish oil supplements or algae, as they include EPA and DHA, the only two omegas your body needs.
Plant-based oils have a different omega, which the body wastes 85% of while converting. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids are as helpful as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for chronic joint pain.
Frequently Asked Joint Food Questions
Does Joint Food Supplement Really Work?
In my experience, Joint Food does not work. I haven't felt any effects during my 30-day test, and I even experienced some pains that went away with another joint supplement. The low dosages of every important ingredient lead me to believe few people can benefit from Joint Food.
How Does Joint Food Compare To Other Joint Supplements?
Joint Food contains many proven substances to help alleviate joint pain, but the low dosages and high price make it a worse choice than many other joint health supplements.
Summary
It's almost impossible for me to recommend anyone to buy Joint Food. While the ingredients are solid and have been proven effective in alleviating joint pain, the doses are often a few times under the recommended amounts.
The company's unsupported claims that its product was clinically tested and the suspicious user reviews did not help build trust in the supplement. I still tried it for 30 days, and there was no effect at all.
Finally, the price is way too high for what the product offers and there are much more powerful alternatives like FlexAgain at a similar price.
===>Check Latest FlexAgain Deals<===
References
- Carr, A. C., & McCall, C. (2017). The role of vitamin C in the treatment of pain: new insights. Journal of translational medicine, 15(1), 77.
- Wu, Z., Malihi, Z., Stewart, A. W., Lawes, C. M., & Scragg, R. (2018). The association between vitamin D concentration and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Public health nutrition, 21(11), 2022-2037.
- Rao, P. S., Ramanjaneyulu, Y. S., Prisk, V. R., & Schurgers, L. J. (2019). A combination of tamarindus indica seeds and curcuma longa rhizome extracts improves knee joint function and alleviates pain in non-arthritic adults following physical activity. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 16(6), 845.
- Chiu, Y. S., Wu, J. L., Yeh, C. T., Yadav, V. K., Huang, H. S., & Wang, L. S. (2020). ?-Mangostin isolated from Garcinia mangostana L. suppresses inflammation and alleviates symptoms of osteoarthritis via modulating miR-124-3p/IL-6/NF-?B signaling. Aging (Albany NY), 12(8), 6630.
- Daily, J. W., Yang, M., & Park, S. (2016). Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of medicinal food, 19(8), 717-729.
- Butawan, M., Benjamin, R. L., & Bloomer, R. J. (2017). Methylsulfonylmethane: applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement. Nutrients, 9(3), 290.
- Brien, S., Lewith, G., Walker, A., Hicks, S. M., & Middleton, D. (2004). Bromelain as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of clinical studies. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 1, 251-257.
- Migliore, A., & Procopio, S. (2015). Effectiveness and utility of hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis. Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone Metabolism, 12(1), 31.
- Yu, G., Xiang, W., Zhang, T., Zeng, L., Yang, K., & Li, J. (2020). Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 20, 1-16.
- Bakilan, F., Armagan, O., Ozgen, M., Tascioglu, F., Bolluk, O., & Alatas, O. (2016). Effects of native type II collagen treatment on knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. The Eurasian journal of medicine, 48(2), 95.
- Goldberg, R. J., & Katz, J. (2007). A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain, 129(1-2), 210-223.