Exposure to small doses of sunlight is the best way to get enough vitamin D to prevent arthritis. Our bodies naturally produce this essential vitamin when exposed to the sun, and it doesn't take much sun to take advantage of its health benefits. However, it is important to apply sunscreen to exposed skin when doing so. Vitamin D deficiency is very common among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and it has been linked to the severity of the disease.
Studies have also shown that vitamin D deficiency can cause diffuse musculoskeletal pain, which means that vitamin D supplementation may be necessary for both preventing osteoporosis and relieving pain in RA patients. In addition, a meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials revealed that vitamins K1 and K2 can help prevent bone loss, with vitamin K2 being more effective in preventing hip fractures, vertebrae fractures, and other fractures. Vitamin D is also essential for preventing bone thinning, especially in people with long-term conditions such as inflammatory arthritis or osteoporosis.
