6 remedies to alleviate arthritis pain.

As the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) affects nearly 21 million Americans. Marked by pain and inflammation caused by cartilage breakdown in various weight-bearing joints (e.g., knee), sufferers commonly treat their symptoms with over-the-counter or prescription medication. But relief can often be offset by side effects and complications, such as gastrointestinal upset, ulcers--or worse. Luckily, you can quell your joint pain and swelling with a number of natural alternatives that are easier to tolerate. Here is a short guide to six options.

Glucosamine (with Chondroitin)

How It Works: Supplements of glucosamine, which slows and may even prevent progression of joint changes that cause osteoarthritis, are derived from either the shells of crustaceans, or are manufactured from vegetable materials such as corn.

What the Science Says: Results from a 24-week study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that taking glucosamine and chondroitin together may help reduce pain in individuals with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis; the combination didn't seem to help those with mild symptoms, however. It may take several weeks to experience the full pain-relieving effects.

The Best Way to Use It: Use the recommended doses--1500mg daily for glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride and 800-1200mg daily of chondroitin sulfate. Also, go for quality. "The quality and biologic activity levels of chondroitin and glucosamine sources vary, and good products use the most active components. Many of the cheap brands contain inexpensive and often inactive chondroitin, for instance," says Jason Theodosakis, MD, author of The Arthritis Cure and other books.

Caution: Glucosamine may adversely affect insulin sensitivity, a potential issue for diabetics.

Product Example: Zand Glucosamine/ Chondroitin Liquid.