Joint Health Across Generations

by Eric Munson | October 31, 2025

Bone, joint and muscle health is now a multi-generational concern.

As we age, it is important to support our bodies with the right nutrients they need to maintain strong bones, healthy muscle mass and flexible joints.

For joint pain, inflammation, fractures, muscle aches and pains, osteoporosis and arthritis, our bodies can heal faster when given the nutrients they need to repair, according to Annelise Hablutzel, ND, LAc, sales & education at Ayush Herbs (Redmond, WA).

“Patients are increasingly seeking out integrative medicine solutions for these symptoms. Adding the right supplements can ensure we get the daily nutrients we need to maintain healthy bones, joints and muscle while stimulating the body to heal through herbal extracts, vitamins and minerals,” she said.

Bones, joints and muscles form our structural foundation yet are vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, inflammation and lifestyle stressors.

“Low vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and K2 can reduce bone density and contribute to osteopenia or osteoporosis. Hormonal shifts, especially low estrogen or testosterone, accelerate bone loss,” said Dr. Rosia Parrish of Naturopathic Wellness Center of Boulder, CO. “Joints may be affected by autoimmune conditions or low-grade inflammation linked to diet, gut dysbiosis or environmental exposures. Muscles rely on protein, micronutrients and mitochondrial health; anemia, thyroid imbalance or insulin resistance all impair strength and recovery.”

From a functional medicine perspective, bones, joints and muscles are an interconnected system influenced by genetics, environment, nutrition and lifestyle.

According to Dr. David M. Brady, chief medical officer at Florida-based Designs for Health, global OA (osteoarthritis) prevalence is increasing with both aging and obesity. Vitamin D is essential for maintain calcium-phosphate balance and deficiency is linked to musculoskeletal disorders including OA. Also, more than 200 million people are affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass.

Sarcopenia is a condition commonly seen in older adults and is characterized by a gradual decline in muscle mass and strength, increasing the risk of falls and fractures. It affects up to 16 percent of the elderly globally and even more in those with chronic illness, he explained.

“The body’s immune system sometimes reacts and sends cells to a joint, which can cause swelling, pain and damage over time. It’s a common problem in joint conditions like arthritis and can make movement harder and more uncomfortable,” Dr. Brady said.

“Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and sarcopenia are leading concerns. Chronic inflammation, stress, nutrient deficiencies and inactivity all weaken the body’s terrain. When I faced stage 4 brain cancer, I saw firsthand how systemic inflammation and nutrient gaps affect resilience—bones, joints and muscles included,” added Dr. Pete Sulack, founder of Redeem Essentials (Knoxville, TN).

Issues

Bone, joint and muscle health can be impacted by various factors such as age, nutrient gaps and lifestyle.

According to Slawek Gromadzki, nutritionist at HealthAid America (Sunnyvale, CA), bone density naturally declines with age especially without adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D and magnesium.*

“Joints face wear and tear from repetitive movement and aging, while maintaining a healthy inflammatory response is critical for joint comfort and mobility.* Muscle strength may decline with age or inactivity, and requires consistent protein intake and movement for optimal function,*” he said.

“Muscle strain/sprain, inflammation (i.e. arthritis), tears, breaks, autoimmune conditions, osteoporosis/osteopenia. Some other ones to consider are cancer, Paget’s disease, hyperparathyroidism,” added Dr. Serena Goldstein, a naturopathic doctor based in Delray Beach, FL.

Christophe Merville, DPharm, director of pharmacy development and education at Boiron USA (Newtown Square, PA), said everyday life places a variety of demands on bones, joints and muscles, which affects people across all ages and lifestyles.

He explained that for older adults, natural changes such as decreased bone density and increased wear on cartilage can contribute to joint discomfort and mobility limitations. Younger and more active individuals such as Millennials and Generation Z, often experience soreness or stiffness related to workouts, athletic activity or prolonged periods of sitting.

“Beyond these physical factors, lifestyle habits such as sedentary routines, poor posture and repetitive motion further influence how the musculoskeletal system feels and functions. These combined challenges can affect strength, balance and overall quality of life, highlighting the need for supportive approaches that help maintain comfort, mobility, and ease of movement,” Merville said.

According to Marge Roberts, BSN, MSHP, DAHom, president and CEO of Newton Homeopathics (Conyers, GA), the aging population is experiencing pain and discomfort from “years of abuse” from accidents, surgeries, inflammation, ultra-processed foods and wear and tear from everyday life.

She explained our diets of processed foods containing health-compromising ingredients and our dependence on pharmaceuticals have the potential to affect the health of both the skeletal and muscular systems. Bones are prone to fracture, joints may become painful and muscles may become inflamed.

“For all ages, a negative aspect of a positive trend is the injury that can result from the fitness craze. Our entire population has become more focused on the power within us to stay healthy through proper diet and exercise. Along with that realization, comes the potential for injury or over-working our muscles and joints,” Roberts said.

Health Trends

Natural health experts noted several trends particularly shifting demographics and a growing interest in preventative health and natural alternatives.

According to Kate Hill, director of marketing at Boiron, there is a strong shift toward integrative and holistic approaches to support bone, joint and muscle health from multiple angles.

“At the same time, there is rising attention on lifestyle practices such as yoga, mobility training and nutrition strategies designed to enhance strength and resilience. Education plays an important role in this trend, with consumers looking to practitioners, brands and trusted sources for guidance on how to incorporate complementary approaches into their daily lives,” she said.

Roberts noted that the category is primarily driven by Baby Boomers and fitness enthusiasts who value natural approaches to health. Products that support joint health and mobility are increasing in popularity.

“Younger adults are presenting with bone density issues due to sedentary lifestyles and low vitamin D. Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions are driving more joint concerns, while hormonal imbalances—common in fertility and women’s health—are increasingly tied to musculoskeletal complaints,” Dr. Parrish added.

Dr. Sulack said consumers are moving away from painkillers toward natural anti-inflammatory products such as turmeric, collagen, magnesium and vitamins D3 and K2. They want prevention, not just symptom relief and there is also a huge rise in personalized supplementation.

“In this category, along with other categories, there is an increased focus on longevity and prevention. For example, consumers are seeking solutions for supporting joint health into later years, instead of waiting until a problem arises,” explained Erin Stokes, ND, medical director at Colorado-based WishGarden Herbs.

Dr. Goldstein said she usually sees concerns around bone health such as osteoporosis/osteopenia (especially in women) where the conversation expands to lifestyle, hormones and proper exercise. Men have similar concerns but are focused more on how they can stay fit and health. However, both are looking at lifestyle, hormones and overall wellness.

Products

For those seeking out natural ways to support joint, bone and muscle health, there are many minerals, vitamins and herbs that can support the body.

For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium daily to build bone mineral density for stronger healthier bones, Dr. Hablutzel said.

In addition to calcium, Dr. Hablutzel recommended various ingredients such as winged treebine (Cissus quadrangularis), vitamin D3, boron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, boswellia, ashwagandha and curcumin.

Dr. Goldstein recommended Traumeel from MediNatura and Magnegel and OsteoForce from Designs for Health.

“For others, magnesium can be utilized in glycinate form if someone doesn’t need help going to the restroom, as it’s the one form that does not affect the GI (gastrointestinal), or taken in more quality forms such as malate or orotate, which can make it easier going to the restroom. Vitamin C is great in about 2 to 4 grams, or to bowel tolerance, perhaps with an increase during cold and flu season,” she explained.

Arnica montana is a mountain daisy that has been used in homeopathic tradition to help with common issues such as pain, stiffness, swelling from minor injuries and bruising.

Boiron’s Arnicare line, which contains arnica, builds on this foundation by offering different dosage forms to match preferences and lifestyles. There are topical preparations including gels, creams and roll-ons and oral options such as pellets and tablets.

“Arnica montana, the active ingredient in Arnicare, has an original mode of action and down-regulates the inflammation process, therefore reducing pain and swelling. It does so at very low doses. Homeopathic arnica is the only form of arnica that can be taken sublingually,” Merville explained.

Designs for Health offers numerous products such as OsteoForce, Whole Body Collagen, Vitamin D Synergy, Glucosamine Chondroitin, Bone Broth Protein, C3 Curcumin Complex and ImmunoMod-A.

Redeem Essentials offers various products such as Muscle & Tissue to speed repair and reduce soreness; Bone Density Kit, a combination of calcium, D3/K2 and magnesium for stronger bones; Turmeric for joint comfort with absorption boosters; and Collagen Peptides for cartilage, bone matrix and connective tissue repair.

HealthAid’s Joint Active combines vitamin C, manganese, MSM, type II collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, standardized turmeric extract and green-lipped mussel in a delayed-release formula to support joint mobility and connective tissue integrity.*

“Green-lipped mussel, a marine extract native to New Zealand, is valued for its naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids, glycosaminoglycans, and other bioactive compounds that help support a healthy inflammatory response and promote joint comfort,*” Gromadzki explained.

Newton Homeopathics has several formulas targeting joint and muscle issues including Rheumatic-Joint Care and PRO Joint Care. According to Roberts, they are developed using the clinical homeopathy approach of Belgian homeopath and Newton founder Dr. Luc Chaltin and each contain 27 single remedies, making them a comprehensive complex for addressing all the various aspects of joint health and inflammation.

“Homeopathy, developed over 200 years ago, is based on the principle of similia similibus curentur (like cures like). The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States is recognized in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, and the selection of remedies is guided by homeopathic materia medicas,” Roberts said.

Deep Recovery from WishGarden Herbs is a tonic formula designed to address the root cause of issues and improve muscle and joint health over time.

“It is very unique in the marketplace, containing herbal lymphatics to address stagnation, along with soothing herbs to release tension and promote a healthy inflammatory response,” Dr. Stokes explained.

Consumers and Patients

Increasingly, consumers are looking for solutions that provide both in-the-moment support along with a focus on long-term prevention, according to Dr. Stokes.

“The category has evolved with consumers now taking a preventive approach, focusing on maintaining flexibility, mobility and strength early on.* Alongside foundational nutrients, there’s rising interest in collagen peptides, vitamin K2 and herbal extracts for joint and connective tissue support,*” Gromadzki said.

According to Merville, when patients experience issues with bones, joints or muscles, they are focused on reducing the pain and restoring mobility so they can return to their normal activities. Convenience is also important and guidance from health care professionals can help patients choose the most appropriate option.

“They want something they can begin using right away at the onset of symptoms with small risk of side effects, that provides noticeable relief, and that helps minimize the short-term impact on function,” he said.

Dr. Goldstein said patients are looking for recommendations on diet, lifestyle, supplements, topicals (as needed), and where and how to get movement throughout the day especially if their job tends to be mostly sedentary.

According to Dr. Parrish, most patients want more than symptom relief—they want to reverse conditions, restore function and preserve quality of life. They are seeking natural, preventative options, personalized root-cause approaches and sustainable lifestyle strategies.

“They are also open to innovative therapies like regenerative peptides when conventional care feels limited. Fertility patients in particular view musculoskeletal health as foundational for pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery,” she explained.

Dr. Brady noted consumers and patients are looking for safety and transparency, evidence-based natural ingredient, convenience and accessibility, and non-pharmacologic options.

“With growing challenges in accessing prescription treatments, many consumers turn to natural supplements that offer simple dosing, easy-to-use formats and combination formulas,” he said. “Additionally, some supplements are eligible for reimbursement through health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs), making them a more accessible option for managing health needs.”

“Consumers are looking for non-pharmaceutical options to address joint and muscle pain. The dishonesty of the ‘experts’ orchestrating the pandemic response has clouded people’s trust in standard medicine and they are looking for another answer,” Roberts added.

Integrative and Functional Medicine

According to Dr. Brady, integrative and functional medicine practitioners can offer various solutions such as personalized assessment, lifestyle as medicine, targeted nutrition and supplementation, metabolic optimization and whole-system care.

“Integrative and alternative practitioners are in a unique position to guide patients in managing bone, joint and muscle health. By combining homeopathic medicines, physical therapy, mindful movement and other modalities they can create tailored recommendations that address discomfort while also supporting flexibility, circulation and recovery after activity,” Merville said.

“As interest in integrative care grows, bone, joint and muscle health remains central to consumer wellness. People want reliable solutions in versatile formats, supported by clear guidance at the point of purchase,” Hill added.

According to Dr. Stokes, one of the best ways for natural practitioners to offer viable solutions is to continue to work on the underlying cause whether chronic inflammation or a chronic stressor that causes musculoskeletal issues.

“Addressing the underlying cause usually also involves education. I strive to keep top of mind the ‘Docere principle’ in naturopathic medicine: ‘Doctor as Teacher,’ which empowers people in their healing journey,” she said.

Dr. Goldstein said lunch breaks tend to be a good time to get outside, get fresh air and walk around the block. Movement, exercise, stretching, wherever people can move their body and weights are seen as appropriate.

“There is a correlation between bone health and repair mechanisms and the stress response, so optimizing an exercise routine, proper diet, water intake, quality sleep and time to restore, are also all important in the overall practice of a healthy skeleton, and healing in general,” she said.

Dr. Parrish emphasized nutrition, hormone balance, movement and stress management are some of the most important recommendations.

“Foundational nutrients include vitamin D3, K2, magnesium, calcium and collagen peptides. Adequate protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C and resveratrol further support bone density, joint mobility and muscle recovery. Resistance and weight-bearing exercise stimulate bone remodeling and maintain strength, while practices like yoga, acupuncture and massage ease pain and improve flexibility,” she said.

According to Roberts, homeopathy has been around for more than 200 years but remains relatively new in America. Many natural practitioners tend to steer clear of homeopathy and recommend traditional vitamins and supplements because they’re more familiar with those products.

She added that many patients take pharmaceuticals so homeopathy should be considered one of the first choices for therapy. Homeopathy has no known food, drug or herbal interactions and no known side effects.

“Practitioners should embrace the opportunity to offer their clients a comprehensive range of natural health options, including homeopathy,” she said. “Don’t limit your offerings due to a lack of understanding. Educate and empower yourself and your customers about homeopathy and broaden the selection of available options.”

Final Thoughts

Bone, joint and muscle health is no longer just about aging individuals. It is a cross-generational issue exacerbated by today’s modern lifestyle and diet.

“Whether you are interested in supporting your body through with chronic pain, inflammation, joint damage, muscle tears and strains or as prevention for these conditions—it’s incredibly important to provide our bodies with the nutrients it needs to heal,” Dr. Hablutzel said. “As our lives are increasingly busy and it’s not always possible to meet the daily vitamin and mineral recommendations through diet alone. Adding in a joint, bone and muscle specific supplement can be a great way to build a foundation for lasting health and support our body’s innate desire to heal.”

“Musculoskeletal health is inseparable from hormone balance, gut health and overall terrain. Prevention—through nutrient sufficiency, movement and integrative care—is more effective than waiting for decline. Patients increasingly want options that address root causes and support long-term vitality, independence, and fertility outcomes,” Dr. Parrish added.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Healthy Take Aways

• Bones, joints and muscles are vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, inflammation and lifestyle stressors.
• Sarcopenia affects up to 16 percent of the elderly globally and even more in those with chronic illness.
• For older adults, natural changes can contribute to joint discomfort and mobility limitations.
• Younger and more active individuals often experience soreness or stiffness related to workouts, athletic activity or prolonged periods of sitting.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium daily to build bone mineral density for stronger healthier bones.