Arthritis simply means swelling in the joints, a point where bones meet in your body. This condition is one of the most common reasons people may find it difficult to do physical activity, causing work disability. According to a study, 21.2% of adults, or 53.2 million people, in the United States experience arthritis from time to time.
Arthritis usually comes with mild and severe symptoms such as pain, redness, heat, and swelling in your joints. No matter how long you’ve had arthritis for, you need a balanced intake of vitamin sources to manage the symptoms.
Luckily, there are medications and supplements for arthritis that will ensure you have an active and productive life. Your doctor can help identify the type of arthritis so that you can get the right treatment.
In this article, we will find out some of the foods and supplements for arthritis you can take to manage this pain, as well as the safe ways to take them.
Types of Arthritis
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. With osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage that covers the ends of the bone wears down over time.
Without early treatment, osteoarthritis can damage the joints in places like your hands, knees, hips, and spine. Some people may be able to manage its symptoms, but once it affects the joints, it cannot be reversed.
On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is a form of autoimmune inflammation that allows the immune system to attack the joints and linings. This lining will become swollen, and any disease attack can destroy cartilage within the joint later. It is usually noticed using an X-ray and can cause permanent joint damage if not treated on time.
Other types of arthritis include juvenile idiopathic, psoriatic, septic, reactive, and thumb arthritis. Over time, some of them can affect vital organs in the body, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Natural Supplements for Arthritis
1. Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a common nutrient found in fish oil, known for reducing inflammation around the joint. The American Heart Association recommends consuming at least two servings of fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, or mackerel in a week. Its anti-inflammatory properties in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) help ease the swelling.
2. Curcumin
This is an active compound in turmeric, a well-known Indian spice. In the body, it is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Studies have shown that curcumin is capable of delaying disease cycles in rheumatoid arthritis patients, making it one of the best supplements for arthritis patients. However, you will want to take curcumin as a source of fat for your body to easily absorb.
3. Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds you can find in cartilage and are sometimes used to manage inflammation. Your body naturally produces both compounds to support healthy connective tissues. While some studies are inconclusive, others show that glucosamine and chondroitin ease joint pain and slow joint deterioration in people with arthritis.
4. SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) is a natural compound in the body that slows inflammation, protects cartilage, and eases pain. According to certain studies, it is as effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain as NSAIDs like ibuprofen and celecoxib without its side effects. People with depression can also use this supplement to feel better.
5. Vitamins
Antioxidant vitamins such as A, C, and E, and vitamins D and K have positive effects on osteoarthritis. There may be no evidence to prove that taking these vitamins improves arthritis symptoms, but eating a diet rich in them is a healthy move. Besides, vitamins D and K are both known for bone strength and cartilage structure.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric has a powerful and active component, curcumin, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that treat arthritis. However, turmeric only contains up to 2 to 6% curcumin, so you may not be getting much unless through consistent supplementing.
7. Ginger
Ginger extracts are known to reduce the production of certain chemical substances that may trigger joint inflammation. They come in capsules, powder, and tea forms, but you may want to make the most of the capsules. Experts advise taking up to 250 mg of ginger three or four times a day to get the best results.
8. Walnut
Walnuts are natural dry fruits with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids used to manage pain. They are also filled with compounds like healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber to help reduce inflammation around the joint.
9. Berry
Berries, especially the blue ones, are rich in natural chemicals called polyphenols. These chemicals have anti-inflammatory effects and may improve osteoarthritis symptoms. However, how it works to reduce inflammation around the joint is not widely known.
10. Borage seed oil
Borage seed oil is made from the seeds of the borage plants. It is a nutritional supplement that contains a high level of essential fatty acids such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). The body converts most of the GLA taken as a supplement to a substance called -γ-linolenic acid (DGLA). At this point, this fatty acid can control your body’s immune system and help reduce joint inflammation.
11. Capsaicin
This is a common pain reliever for muscles and joints gotten from chili peppers. It works by releasing a substance that makes your skin feel warm or cool, blocking the pain signals from passing through your brain nerves. The relieving process also works in reducing pain and tenderness in affected joints of your body.
12. Boswellia
Boswellia is a perfect example of various herbal supplements for arthritis. Extracts from Boswellia serrata sap, bark, and other plant parts are a great way to reduce swelling and increase your body’s immune response. Whether you take it alone or with other ingredients, it can reduce pain and improve movement if you have osteoarthritis.
13. Calcium
Calcium is widely known for maintaining the health and integrity of the cartilage around the joints. Most, if not all, supplements for bone health contain calcium, as it reduces the risk of wear and tear in the cartilage. Lack of calcium in your daily diet and supplement intake can lead to further breakdown and the development of osteoarthritis.
Supplement Risks
It’s normal to conclude that taking supplements is safe, especially when you follow your doctor’s direction. However, even the labels on the supplement bottles can still cause side effects or interfere with the other drugs you are taking. For example, when you take calcium supplements, they may interact with anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin.
It is possible to take the wrong dosage or just too much, especially when it comes to vitamins and natural supplements for arthritis. Some of these vitamins are water-soluble, and when taken in excess, your body can get rid of the extra. However, vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble and can build up until they can pose a risk to your body. For this reason, it is advisable to talk with your doctor about the safest dosage to take.
Most medicines go through a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) development and approval process. The FDA has to review every medication to make sure they work and are safe to take before marketing. However, this is not the same process for checking supplements. With supplements, the ingredients on the label may not be the same ones in the bottle.
How to Take Supplements Safely
The first thing you should know about taking supplements for arthritis is that you can take them as an add-on to your medications. It should never serve as a replacement for the arthritis drugs that help slow down the process of wear and tear in the joints.
Always speak to your doctor before trying out new supplements for your bone health so that they can choose the most suitable one. They can also prescribe the right dosage of supplements you need to stay on the safe side.
You may want to carefully check your supplement and medication list with a healthcare professional to confirm there are no possible interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Collagen type II is best for treating osteoarthritis. It works by causing the body to produce chemicals that fight pain and swelling. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support that it eases joint and muscle pain.
The active compound in turmeric is known for reducing joint swelling and tenderness in the short term. However, the healing process can work better when taken in supplement form. On the other hand, collagen can reduce bone pain and discomfort and improve osteoarthritis symptoms when taken consistently.
Foods you should avoid with arthritis are processed and red meats, gluten-containing foods, refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and foods with high salt levels.