Several nutritional supplements have shown promise for relieving pain, stiffness and other arthritis symptoms. Glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e and curcumin are just some of the natural products researchers have studied for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Heat and cold. Use of heat, such as applying heating pads to aching joints, taking hot baths or showers, or immersing painful joints in warm paraffin wax, can help relieve pain temporarily. Be careful not to burn yourself. Use heating pads for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
Such is the case with vitamin D. When you aren't getting enough, you may get pain in your joints. Vitamin D's anti-inflammatory properties help relieve joint pain. Vitamin D also can help manage autoimmune conditions that affect the joints, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Type 1 diabetes.
Reduced vitamin D intake has been linked to increased susceptibility to the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and vitamin D deficiency has been found to be associated with disease activity in patients with RA.
It's Anti-Inflammatory
Magnesium is also anti-inflammatory which is very helpful when it comes to combating the painful flare-ups of arthritis. This is because it moves your blood sugar quickly into your muscles and reduces the C-reactive protein (CRP) marker in the body which causes inflammation.
Several vitamins have been studied for their effects on arthritis, including the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, and vitamins D and K.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C, like vitamin D, is an essential vitamin that plays a huge role in immunity and inflammation. It's a powerful antioxidant, so it can reduce inflammation by neutralizing free radicals that cause oxidative damage to your cells ( 55 ).
Vitamin B complex is a type of non-antioxidant vitamin. We don't fully understand how this type of vitamin may treat arthritis-related conditions, but evidence from trials suggests that vitamins B3, B9 and B12 might be of some benefit for treating osteoarthritis, particularly in improving joint mobility and hand grip.
Some multivitamins have 10 times the amount of nutrients that are actually needed and may potentially make your arthritis worse. The Arthritis Foundation warns us of the following: Certain vitamins — such as B and C — are water-soluble. If you take too much of them, your body simply flushes out the extra.
Vitamin B12 specifically is a vitamin for nerves and joints – it protects the nerves, stimulates nerve regeneration, and could help reduce the pain from old injuries.
Tea is one of the best beverages for arthritis patients due to its many health benefits. Green, black and white teas are all rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like polyphenols. Green tea is generally viewed as the most beneficial because of its active ingredient “epigallocatechin-3-gallate” or EGCG.
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints.
Red meat, such as burgers and steaks. Processed meats like hot dogs, brats and other sausages. Refined carbohydrates like the ones you find in breads and pastries. Dairy products, because for many people, casein, a protein common in milk, ice cream and cheese, has been shown to irritate the tissue around joints.
When choosing a supplement, look for either methylcobalamin or methyl B12. Studies have found that oral, intravenous, and intramuscular administration provide the same results. Treatment for fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, studies noted clinical benefits using between 1.5 and 6 mg per day.
Garlic. Garlic, like ginger, pineapple, and fatty fish, is a common food that's rich in anti-inflammatory compounds. Garlic is especially high in a compound called allicin, a potent anti-inflammatory agent that may also help strengthen the immune system to better ward off disease-causing pathogens ( 52 ).
Magnesium has been shown to help fight inflammation by reducing markers such as CRP and interleukin-6.
Bananas and Plantains are high in magnesium and potassium that can increase bone density. Magnesium may also alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Staying hydrated is vital when you live with arthritis. Hydration is key for flushing toxins out of your body, which can help fight inflammation, and well-hydrated cartilage reduces the rate of friction between bones, meaning you can move more easily.