Use of Vitamins for Arthritis

Updated on July 30th, 2019
Vitamins for Arthritis

The injury that affects any of the ligaments, or tendons surrounding the joint can cause arthritis (joint pain). The treatment of arthritis varies as its dependents on the specific type of arthritis. There are around 54 million people who have been diagnosed with arthritis. Doctor-diagnosed arthritis is more common in females as compared to males. Sometimes doctors recommend best vitamins for treatment of arthritis.

Ways Vitamins Help Cure Arthritis

1. Add Vitamin C Rich Food in Your Diet

vitamin c benefits
Image:ShutterStock

The human body does not produce or retain the water-soluble vitamin C(1). The best source of vitamin C is fruits and vegetables which helps to restore it in our body. We can add citrus fruits including kiwi, lemon, orange, guava, grapefruit, and vegetables such as cauliflower, capsicums, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc. to our regular diet.  There are other fruits that are rich in vitamin C such as papaya, cantaloupe, and strawberries.

Need for Vitamin C due to the following reasons:

  • Protect the cells from free radical damage
  • Required to make collagen
  • Improves iron absorption

The recommended daily vitamin C amount for adults is 65 to 90 mg, and its maximum limit is 2000 mg per day. Too much intake of vitamin C is harmful and can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal cramps, headache, insomnia, etc. Patients who have diabetes, kidney issues such as kidney stones or dysfunction need to avoid prolonged use of high intake vitamin C supplementation.

[Also Read: Natural Treatment for Arthritis]

2. Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin for Arthritis

vitamin D benefits
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Vitamin D, a type of nutrient produced by the body when an individual’s skin exposes directly to sunlight. An individual can consume vitamin D, but it is not naturally present in various foods. You can find vitamin D in oily fish, a certain type of mushroom, dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, cereals, kale, okra, collards, soybeans, white beans, etc. in high quantity. The easiest way to intake sufficient vitamin D is to regularly expose body parts such as arms, face and legs to direct sunlight.

Need for Vitamin D due to the following reasons:

  • Absorb calcium
  • Promotes bone growth
  • Resist some cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and multiple sclerosis

The recommended daily vitamin D amount for the age group (1-70) is 600 IU (International Unit) and for above 71 years old is 800 IU.

[Also Read: Supplements for Arthritis]

3. Benefits of Adding Vitamin E to Your Diet

Vitamin E
Image:ShutterStock

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant in the body that helps to protect body cells from getting damaged from free radical. You can find vitamin E in vegetable oils such as wheat germ, sunflower, and safflower oil as they are rich in its content. Moreover, vitamin E(2) is present in nuts (almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts), seeds (sunflower seeds), and green vegetables (spinach and broccoli).

Need for Vitamin E due to the following reasons:

  • Boosts the body immune system
  • Widen blood vessels and resist blood to get clotted
  • For the interaction of the body cell with each other as well as to carry out many important functions

Doctors recommend vitamin E according to the age of an individual, for example, requirement of vitamin E for birth to 6 months is 4 mg, 7-12 months is 5 mg, 1-3 years is 6 mg, 4-8 years is 7 mg, and 9-13 years is 11 mg, 14-18 years, adults and pregnant women is 15 mg.

Vitamins C, and, E act as major antioxidants in the diet and have identified as a potential for antioxidant activity in the processes associated with osteoarthritis. Vitamin D also plays a vital role in osteoarthritis through bones. Vitamins are considered as nutritional substances which an individual need in small amounts in his diet. You can find natural vitamins in various food items or can produce synthetic vitamins in laboratories.

[Also Read: Healthy Diet for Arthritis]


FAQs

1. What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

The common symptoms or signs of arthritis involve issues related to the joints.  An individual who is suffering from arthritis can have a specific type of arthritis which depends on different signs or symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, tenderness, lack of movement, grating, bone spurs, pain in small joints of hands, wrists, and feet and many more.

2. What Other Supplements Can Be Used for Arthritis?

There are various supplements available in the market that claim they are effective in treating arthritis, but only few can really help in reducing the arthritis pain. An individual needs to consider the number of things before consuming arthritis supplements. The arthritis supplements include Glucosamine, SAM-e, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, MSM, Vitamin C, Devil’s Claw, Ginger, etc.

3. How Is Vitamin C Helpful in Treating Arthritis?

Research has found that vitamin C which is the antioxidant is essential to build connective tissue, but according to Wei, it is hard to say that it helps in reducing arthritis pain. He recommends that it is better to have vitamin C through a healthy diet such as fruits and vegetables instead of taking supplements of vitamin C.

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