Have your joints been a little tired and sore lately? Maybe you're developing arthritis, or perhaps some old injuries seem to be flaring up. In any event, taking a natural joint supplement can help keep your joints healthy and strong, but you need to know what you're looking for. Here are some key ingredients to look for in a natural joint support supplement.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that has long been used to season curry and other dishes. But more recently, it is starting to appear in health food stores as a supplement. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Some find that it relieves inflammation as well as ibuprofen! Since most joint pain is either caused or worsened by inflammation, taking a joint support supplement with turmeric is a very good idea. Turmeric also has antioxidant properties and can therefore help protect against additional damage to tissues, which is especially good news if your joint pain is related to rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune condition.

Devil's Claw

Devil's claw may have a scary-sounding name, but it's actually a very friendly, helpful ingredient when included in joint support supplements. Like turmeric, it helps relieve inflammation. It's been found to be particularly helpful for arthritis patients, with many patients who cannot tolerate NSAIDs turning to devil's claw instead. Patients sometimes find that they need to take devil's claw for a few days before they really notice a reduction in pain, so give this one a chance before you decide whether or not it is working for you. 

Boswellia

Boswellia may be a newer ingredient to hit the shelves in the United States, but it has long been a staple in Ayurveda, a medical tradition common in India. Sometimes this herb is called Indian Frankincense, and it is a pretty common ingredient in natural joint supplements. Boswellia is really helpful for managing both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It seems to work by changing the levels of leukotrienes in the body. Leukotrienes are involved in the inflammatory process. Boswellia can interfere with the action of some prescription pain relievers and other drugs, so if you're taking any medications, check with your doctor before you start taking a supplement that contains Boswellia. 

There are a lot of natural joint supplements on the market. Some may contain just one of the above ingredients, whereas others contain several active ingredients. Give one a try to see how it affects your joint pain.