Arthritis is a painful and debilitating condition that affects millions of people around the world. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are certain vitamins and minerals that can help prevent and manage the symptoms. Vitamins D and K are important for bone strength, and vitamin K is involved in the structure of cartilage. Supplementing these two nutrients may be beneficial if you are deficient in them.
Glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3, green tea, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K are all known to have potential benefits for those with arthritis. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that is known to support bone growth. It also keeps the digestive tract, respiratory system, and skin healthy. Vitamin A supplementation has been found to be beneficial in a number of inflammatory conditions.
The recommended daily amount of vitamin A is 700 micrograms for women and 900 micrograms for men. Vitamin A deficiency can weaken the immune system, while too much can cause nausea, vomiting, and vertigo. Vitamin C can benefit most people with early arthrosis. Vitamin E is known to have the potential to prevent or treat osteoarthritis due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
This vitamin can also slow the progression of osteoarthritis by improving oxidative stress and joint inflammation. More studies are needed to reach a clear conclusion as to whether vitamin E can fully help osteoarthritis or not. Vitamin K has a protein called osteocalcin which helps the production of healthy bone tissue in the body. Research has shown that sufficient levels of vitamin K in the body help the progression of osteoarthritis.
Evidence from clinical trials is limited, so more research is needed. The main signs of vitamin K deficiency are bleeding and osteoporosis. Antibiotics are also known to eliminate vitamin K production in the body. The recommended daily amount is 90 micrograms for women and 120 micrograms for men. Because many Americans don't get the recommended doses with food alone, it's recommended that you contact your health professional to discuss whether supplements are needed for specific dietary needs or not. Calcium is a mineral that helps maintain strong teeth and bones.
It is known to help prevent bone density loss and fractures which can help patients who have osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. A calcium deficiency can cause high blood pressure, bone loss, tooth loss, and muscle cramps. Excess calcium can cause kidney stones and block the absorption of other minerals such as zinc and iron. The recommended dose of calcium is 1200 mg per day for men and women.
For arthritis patients and postmenopausal women, 1500 mg per day is ideal. Collagen is a protein that consists of amino acids. It provides support to connective tissues as well as skin, tendons, bones, and ligaments. There are 28 different types of collagen with type I being found naturally in the human body. Studies have shown that the use of hydrolyzed collagen could help patients with arthrosis.
In another study, reports showed that daily consumption of hydrolyzed type 1 collagen protects against cartilage loss and reduces pain in patients with arthrosis. A safe and recommended dose of collagen is 2.5 to 15 g per day with no known risks of consuming collagen. Glucosamine is the structural part of the cartilage that cushions the joint and is naturally produced in the body. One study concluded that an oral dose of 1500 mg of glucosamine once a day is more effective than a placebo in treating the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. In another study, participants who took daily doses of 1500 mg of glucosamine and a placebo for 12 weeks with conventional medication showed notable improvements in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms according to self-assessment patients. There aren't many side effects associated with glucosamine although ASU which contains glucosamine could cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to shellfish while others may experience mild symptoms such as nasal congestion or hives. The recommended dose is 300 mg of soft gel per day. In addition to vitamins D & K, glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3, green tea, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E & K; other supplements such as fish oil, collagen, boswellia & curcumin may also be beneficial for those suffering from arthritis. These supplements are available in several forms including softgels, capsules, powders & gummies & studies suggest that turmeric's anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties may help prevent arthritis as well as prevent osteoporosis (loss of bone density) & fractures which pose a greater risk in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) & those who take corticosteroids. A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials found that vitamins K1 & K2 helped prevent bone loss but that vitamin K2 was superior in preventing hip vertebral & other fractures.
