Are Supplements Necessary For Healthy Joints?

Sup·ple·ment. The dictionary defines supplement as something that completes or enhances something else when added to it. Your body doesn’t produce all of its own vitamins, so in order to function properly it gathers nutrients from outside sources like the foods you eat, or the sun, for example, which provides vitamin D. But when these resources aren’t possible, supplements may help fill in the gaps.

What is a supplement?

Supplements come in many forms from tablet to powder and capsule to liquid, and contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, enzymes, or herbs and other plants. A quick word to the wise: Supplements are not to be taken as any kind of replacement, but to give the body extra support. So be sure to continue incorporating healthy foods as your primary source of nutrients.

Why are Supplements Good for Your Health?

There are a slew of reasons why supplementing your nutrients can help your overall health. Since we can’t always have a perfectly balanced diet and our lifestyles don’t always lend themselves to staying focused on our health, supplements are a simple way of giving your body what it’s lacking. And as always, it’s important to have a chat with your doctor before starting a new supplement routine as some ingredients can weaken prescription medications.

Important Supplements We Recommend

Why take vitamins and supplements? Well, the inner workings of your body rely on vitamins and minerals to work properly. There are 13 essential vitamins your body needs to run on the right track:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• B Vitamins, which include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyroxidine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12)

That may all sound like, well, reading the back of a vitamin label, but each and every vitamin does a specific job in helping your body function the way it should. Vitamin A, for instance, assists in the healthy function of the eyes and immune system. * Vitamin E helps support your immune system and provides antioxidant support.*

Meanwhile, there are 16 essential minerals, which play a vital role in maintaining overall health and so much more. Let’s list them out:

• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sulfur
• Sodium
• Chloride
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Copper
• Manganese
• Iodine
• Selenium
• Molybdenum
• Chromium
• Fluoride

Many of these minerals will sound familiar like potassium, found in bananas. For those with active lifestyles, for example, can benefit from this mineral because potassium aids in the movement of your muscles.* It also helps with nerve function and helps aid in the mineral balance of blood.* Meanwhile, iron helps carry oxygen to your cells, and zinc supports immune health.* The lesser-known minerals like molybdenum is a cofactor for enzymes to involved in amino acid metabolism, and chromium assists in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels already within a normal range.*

When you break down each item, you can see how they come together as a whole to help your body run smoothly.* Giving the system some of these added benefits through supplements like Osteo Bi-Flex^® can aid in supporting range of motion and joint health.* Continue golfing, practicing yoga, playing tennis — whatever you enjoy!

Reasons Supplements Are Important

You may be asking yourself, are vitamins and supplements necessary? Each of the vitamins and minerals above serve a particular purpose in the human body. The perfect example here is vitamin D. It helps to absorb calcium into the body to maintain bone density.* And if you’re looking to keep up an active lifestyle, strong bones along with healthy joints and muscles are the foundation for movement.*

Vitamin D is quite the worker bee. Considered the “sunshine vitamin,” you can get your dose of vitamin D with just 15 minutes of sunshine three days a week. But not everyone has the luxury of a year-round sunny climate. Depending on where you live, winters can be especially tough to get your dose. This is where supplements can step in to help.

Later in life, our skin changes the way it makes vitamin D. Incorporating a supplement that works double duty like Osteo Bi-Flex^® Triple Strength + Vitamin D is a once daily way for maintaining your joint health while getting a dose of the sunshine vitamin.*

As we age, the body can require more nutrients to continue functioning at its best. Studies suggest those of us who have been around the sun a few times may require more vitamin B6, which aids in energy metabolism; B12, which nurtures the body’s nervous system and blood cells; and folate, which is a B vitamin that aids in promoting heart health.*

Supplements are a drug-free way to assist in normal bodily functions.* Plant roots like turmeric, an antioxidant, are tucked into our Osteo Bi-Flex^® Triple Strength + Turmeric to help fight against free radicals, while glucosamine is added to help support mobility and overall joint health.*

Over time, our appetites can change due to a variety of reasons. You may have had no problem eating a full dinner at one point in your life. But now perhaps you graze and pick, consuming much less. While this could be helpful to the waistline, it may not be ideal for gleaning all the essentials you need. Supplements bring nutrients to those with decreased appetites.

You know what you prefer to eat, and maybe some of the healthiest veggies like kale — packed with a mass of nutritional benefits — just aren’t your cup of tea. Incorporating supplements allows you to enjoy your personal tried and true dining routine.

As unappetizing as it sounds, scientific evidence shows fish oil supplements help promote heart health.* Of course, omega-3 fish oil typically comes in a gel capsule, so you never smell like an anchovy pizza. And while fish oil itself doesn’t derive from a specific vitamin, these fatty acids can help support heart health.*

Dietary restrictions can keep folks from getting their essential nutrients. Vitamin B12, for instance, mainly derives naturally from meat and fish. For those vegetarians or vegans out there, this is a good one to consider to ensure your nerves and blood cells get the nutrients and support they need.*

And finally, customization. Supplements can be tailored to your specific needs by creating a personalized routine. Check out our products to pin down the supplements that best suit your lifestyle and dietary needs. If you wish for additional bone strength support in a small one-per-day pill, you’ll find Osteo Bi-Flex^® Ease very convenient.* This mini-tablet is 80% smaller^ but packs the same effective punch bringing improved joint comfort in as little as 7 days.*†

As we at Osteo Bi-Flex^® lead the call for joint health¹ and improved movement, our goal is for you to continue doing what you love through improved joint comfort – and our supplements can help get you there.*