Buyer's Guide To
Joint Supplements
What Everyone Needs to Know About Joint Health

Wobenzym

Rating: NA
Company: MSM

What is it?

Manufactured by supplement giant Garden of Life, Wobenzym is a dietary supplement that claims to naturally--and safely--reduce inflammation, temporarily reducing pain. They claim reducing inflammation is important for reducing numerous inflammation-causing diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, a painful joint disease. But that's not all, says Wobenzym: it also claims to be clinically proven to increase flexibility and mobility, common problems limited by poor joint function or pain.

What ingredients does Wobenzym contain?

Wobenzym contains pancreatin, papain, bromelain, trypsin, chymotrypsin and rutoside thihydrate.

Do the ingredients in Wobenzym help improve bone health?

Although it's true that it can reduce inflammation, it doesn't necessarily affect the joints or the tissues surrounding the joints. According to MedLine Plus, a medical website run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), trypsin has never been shown to have any efficacy against joint inflammation or pain, although some evidence suggests it may reduce inflammation in the pancreas, where it is secreted. Papain, pancreatin and bromelain have also not been shown to have a significant impact on joint health--it affects digestive system inflammation instead. There is no clinical evidence connecting rutoside thihydrate or chymotrypsin to any sort of joint relief. This product may not be effective for joint pain or inflammation.

Is Wobenzym safe?

Like most supplements, Wobenzym may cause some stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea. It has not been shown to contain any adverse effects, however. It contains numerous contraindications, including those with blood thinners, such as warfarin.

Verdict:

Wobenzym may not be effective for joint pain--its ingredients have only been shown to affect organ, not joint, inflammation. It may also cause some serious interactions with other drugs, such as blood thinners.