Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling and tenderness in the joints resulting in devastating arthritis pain. In addition, it features symptoms like redness, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
There are different types of arthritis that occur due to varying causes. Some examples include; Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, and Septic arthritis. Getting medical tests done will help determine which type you might be suffering from.
Arthritis treatment is currently a great help in relieving arthritis pain, reducing symptoms, and improving quality of life. Treatment varies depending on the type of arthritis, but you can implement other more natural approaches.
Supplements and acupuncture are great alternatives to help you significantly improve your condition. However, before you consider adding arthritis supplements to your treatment options, consult with your doctor.
Doing this will ensure you stay safe and avoid adverse effects, especially if you are on any other medication. This post will cover some great dietary supplements, vitamins, and natural remedies for arthritis that you can consider.
Are Arthritis Supplements & Vitamins Safe?
Studies show that dietary supplements and vitamins help relieve pain and other symptoms associated with arthritis. However, there is still inconclusive evidence on how these supplements interact with medication and whether they are more effective.
Therefore, sticking to supplements backed by science and in-depth research is essential. In addition, it will help you stick to supplements for arthritis that affect your symptoms and improve your overall condition.
So, yes, supplements and vitamins are safe for treating arthritis, but you should be keen on the specific options you use. In addition, as mentioned earlier, remember to include your doctor’s advice, especially if you are on any arthritis medication.
Supplements & Vitamins to Treat Arthritis
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a great vitamin that adds to the effectiveness of Rheumatoid arthritis treatments. In most cases, doctors will put patients with arthritis on methotrexate therapy to help alleviate arthritis pain in the joints and other symptoms related to connective tissue. Methotrexate is a great therapy option, but it features other side effects like toxicity and folate deficiency.
Additional Benefits:
Studies show that using folic acid helps protect the patient from toxicity without affecting the efficiency of the drug.
Folic acid is a vitamin that is backed by science to have an impact on the treatment of arthritis and continuous knee pain. The effects might not be direct, but this vitamin is essential for arthritis patients on the methotrexate drug.
Omega 3/ Fish Oil
Evidence shows that fish oil can alleviate osteoarthritis pain and burden in obese and older adults. This indicates that adding fish oil as a supplement for arthritis is a significant step. Finally, you’ll be able to deal with the modest pain relief associated with arthritis in the knees, hips, and other joints.
Additional Benefits:
In addition, Omega 3 fatty acids help reduce morning stiffness and the number of painful and swollen joints in people with arthritis. Therefore, fish oil is an excellent supplement for arthritis treatment to relieve pain.
However, Omega 3 fatty acids may inhibit blood clot formation and increase bleeding risk. Therefore, adding fish oil supplements to treat arthritis (and help with cardio) should strictly be under your doctor’s supervision and care.
Vitamin D for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Vitamin D deficiency is a common occurrence in people who have arthritis. This is especially the case with people suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The inflammation that occurs when suffering from RA is thought to cause vitamin D deficiency.
Additional Benefits:
Studies show that vitamin D supplementation helps relieve the pain of patients suffering from RA and prevent osteoporosis. Conversely, people with inflammatory arthritis are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, and vitamin D deficiency leaves them vulnerable.
Therefore, adding vitamin D to treat arthritis is a great option, but you should consult with your doctor. Your doctor will run tests to determine your vitamin D levels and recommend the specific Vitamin D supplementation dosage you should use to relieve pain.
Calcium
Calcium is an essential supplement that helps with specific conditions associated with arthritis. Most doctors prefer that you get your calcium from food, but some exceptions are allowed.
If you suffer from RA and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, calcium supplementation is essential. In addition, people on glucocorticoid steroids may also need to supplement their calcium intake.
Glucocorticoid is a drug that helps relieve arthritis pain for those with RA. However, it also suppresses bone formation and promotes resorption. When this happens, you may develop glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
Additional Benefits:
Fortunately, studies show that calcium and vitamin D help prevent bone loss for people on corticosteroid treatments. Therefore, consult with your doctor about adding calcium as a mineral supplement to help with arthritis and osteoporosis.
Turmeric
Turmeric features antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great natural remedy option for different conditions. However, the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, is only about 3%, making it difficult to get any results from just adding turmeric to your food.
Turmeric will work great in concentrated amounts, so investing in turmeric supplements works better. Studies done by BMC show that curcumin has similar effects to diclofenac on patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.
Additional Benefits:
The study suggests that curcumin can be an excellent option for those intolerant to the side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, it is essential to note that more research is needed to ascertain the effectiveness of curcumin on arthritis.
Presently, studies provide a compelling justification for using curcumin as a dietary supplement to conventional therapy. Therefore, turmeric supplements are a great option to consider with guidance from your physician.
S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe)
SAMe is a naturally produced molecule in the body but can also be used as a supplement. Studies show that SAMe has similar effects as NSAIDs on knee osteoarthritis.
It is a great supplement option that has been proven to relieve arthritis pain and improve the function of the knee. However, more studies still need to be undertaken to determine the optimal dosage and long-term effectiveness.
Glucosamine/ Chondroitin
Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements are highly recommended for helping to relieve joint pain for people with knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis. They are produced naturally in the body but can also be used as supplements.
These supplements help make up the connective tissue that cushions your joints, known as the cartilage. However, evidence to support these supplements as effective to treat arthritis is still needed.
Additional Benefits:
Studies that have been done feature conflicting results, with some stating that Glucosamine sulfate helps with knee OA while others say it has little to no effect. On the other hand, Chondroitin does not affect hip and knee OA arthritis pain.
Therefore, adding these supplements to your arthritis treatment regimen may not give you the best results. However, consult with your doctor to get accurate advice on the effectiveness of Glucosamine and Chondroitin for your condition.
Acupuncture for Arthritis Symptoms
Acupuncture is an old healing practice that features super-fine needles to stimulate energy in your body. The practice originates from the Chinese and continues to show great promise when dealing with different conditions.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Studies show that acupuncture benefits people with Rheumatoid arthritis without any other adverse effects. In addition, it supports the acupuncture practice by itself or alongside other RA treatment options.
According to this study and expert acupuncturists at WTHN, acupuncture helps improve function and quality of life, making it an essential treatment option. Therefore, consult with your doctors to let them know the additional treatment option you’ll be exploring.
Conclusion
Supplements, vitamins, and acupuncture practices are great to help alleviate arthritis symptoms, reduce arthritis pain, and improve quality of life. All you need is to invest in the suitable options for you and work closely with your doctors.
Your doctors will help inform you of any adverse effects to avoid aggravating the conditions further. You can rest assured that you will find a great natural option to help you deal with different types of arthritis.
For more info on supplements, check out our Ultimate Guide here. As you get older, you may also struggle with issues like prostate or low testosterone. Read here for more info about prostate supplements.
