Most people respond to knee and joint pain by taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. But those options take a tremendous toll on the stomach and liver, and have life-threatening adverse effects. They reduce pain, but at a price.

There are ways to rescue knees and improve other weight-bearing joints. A regimen of clinically-studied natural ingredients that work as well – or better – than prescription drugs can make it happen.

A natural approach to knee and joint health includes ingredients that have been part of traditional medicine systems and integrative practice, and are well-known to many practitioners: curcumin and boswellia.

Curcumin, the active compound from turmeric (Curcuma longa), has long been used as a treatment for inflammatory diseases. One of its limiting factors, however, has been absorption.

The fact is, standard curcumin’s absorption is poor. Because of this, clinical trials have used increasingly larger dosages (up to 10-12 grams daily) in order to get even a small amount into the bloodstream. While no toxicity is associated with curcumin, even at these very high dosage levels, cost, comfort, and compliance can be a difficult issue to resolve for many people.

Fortunately, a curcumin extract, blended with turmeric essential oil that enhances absorption, changes that.

Consider this study on rheumatoid arthritis. Forty-five individuals were randomized to three groups. Group one received 50 mg of diclofenac sodium twice daily; group two received 500 mg high-absorption curcumin twice daily; and group three received both diclofenac sodium and the curcumin.

High-absorption curcumin was more effective than diclofenac sodium at reducing joint pain and swelling. Taking the curcumin with the drug was no more effective than using the botanical alone, and taking the drug alone was less effective.

Laboratory studies on kidney and liver function, blood sugar, and a complete blood count were performed before and after participation. There were no significant changes in these measurements in general in all the groups. One laboratory analysis adverse event was reported in the drug (diclofenac sodium) group.

In the high-absorption curcumin groups, there were no drop outs due to adverse effects, but in the diclofenac sodium group, 14 percent withdrew due to adverse effects. That’s a pretty strong case for going with an effective, natural alternative.

Boswellia – Curcumin’s Perfect Partner

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) is another traditional herb that reduces inflammation and relieves pain. The majority of anti-inflammatory activity in boswellia is linked to the array of boswellic acids in the extract. Research studies show that it’s especially potent at reducing the joint pain associated with arthritis. It does this by inhibiting the inflammatory enzyme, 5-LOX. Boswellia also contains a compound – beta boswellic acid – that interferes with its inflammation-blocking activity. To be most effective, boswellia should have the beta boswellic acid reduced to low levels and be standardized to contain AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid). This makes for a strong extract, but one that is different from standard boswellia extracts which aren’t as effective.

Curcumin and boswellia form the two key players in the combination you want, because they reduce the activity of the two most significant pain pathways in the body – COX-2 and 5-LOX.

In fact, a unique combination of high-absorption curcumin and boswellia was judged to be superior to the prescription arthritis drug, celecoxib, in a clinical study of osteoarthritis.

The curcumin and boswellia combination was better than celecoxib in relieving pain, walking distance and joint line tenderness scores. Not surprisingly, efficacy and tolerance of the herbal combination used in the current study was shown to be superior to those of celecoxib for treating active osteoarthritis. When it came to relieving pain, 64 percent of those taking the herbal ingredients versus 29 percent in the drug group improved to such a high degree that they were able to move from having “moderate to severe arthritis” to “mild to moderate arthritis.”

Beyond relief, stopping tissue-damaging inflammation that causes pain is just as critical. Because of their actions on joint tissue — helping prevent further damage, curcumin and boswellia are ideal botanicals. They don’t just cover up pain signals — they help the body to heal.

Vitamin D and Fructoborate – Essential for Joint Structure

Two other ingredients that help reduce pain and keep the structure of the knees and other joints healthy are vitamin D and fructoborate.

There is a close relationship between arthritis, joint health, and vitamin D deficiency. In fact, vitamin D deficiency was noted in 69 percent of the patients with inflammatory joint diseases or connective tissue diseases, 77 percent with soft tissue rheumatism, 62 percent with osteoarthritis, 75 percent with back pain, and 71 percent with osteoporosis.

It’s common for older individuals to be deficient in vitamin D. Another recent study examined serum vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women. As it turned out, 53 percent of the women were actually clinically deficient in vitamin D, and only 17 percent had sufficient blood levels of the nutrient. Joint pain and joint swelling were reported, (74 percent and 34 percent, respectively). Typically, those with the lowest levels of vitamin D showed a higher average joint pain score.

But beyond pain, vitamin D is associated with stronger knee cartilage. Another study showed a correlation between sunlight exposure, serum levels of vitamin D, and the loss of knee cartilage. The authors of the study concluded that sufficient vitamin D levels might prevent – or at least slow down – osteoarthritis-related cartilage loss in the knees. One of the challenges they noted was that vitamin D intake levels and serum levels didn’t always correspond. This can be due to a lot of factors, including absorption and metabolic disorders.

Fructoborate, found naturally in fruits and vegetables, helps the body absorb and use Vitamin D. It can also elevate levels of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), for adrenal gland and energy support. Additionally, it has been clinically shown to reduce joint pain in just eight weeks in volunteers with severe osteoarthritis.

Staying Active Means More Than Relieving Pain

It’s understandable that pain relief is the only thing that patients believe they need. It’s important. But it is only part of the picture. A regimen that provides knees and joints with nutrients that help them heal and thrive, is critical to stopping pain and further damage.