Does Vitamin D Help Rheumatoid Arthritis

Vitamin D And Minerals That Help Rheumatoid Arthritis

Eating for rheumatoid arthritis

Can vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements help ease pain and stiffness related to rheumatoid arthritis ?

Diet plays a part in many chronic conditions. When you have RA, failing to get proper nutrition might make your symptoms worse. Getting enough vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients might help relieve your symptoms and lower your risk of complications.

Keep reading to learn more about some of the vitamins, minerals, and supplements that may help you stay healthy with RA.

The Effect Of Vitamin D Supplementation On Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Systematic Review And Meta

• 1Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
• 2Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
• 3Crawford School of Public Policy, Asia and Pacific College, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
• 4School of Health Sciences and Engineering, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China

Objective Observational studies have shown that vitamin D levels are inversely related to rheumatoid arthritis activity, yet evidence from population interventions remains inconsistent.

Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched for studies published before June 2020. Information was collected about the pain visual analog scale , Disease Activity Score 28 , serum vitamin D level, tender joint count , swollen joint count , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , C-reactive protein , and parathyroid hormone research data.

Compared with placebo control interventions, vitamin D supplementation seemed to be an effective intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Different doses of vitamin D and durations of intervention produce different effects.

Talk With People Who Understand

On myRAteam, the social network and online support group for people with rheumatoid arthritis and their loved ones, members discuss the chronic nature of the disease. Here, more than 147,000 members from across the world come together to ask questions, offer advice and support, and share stories with others who understand life with RA.

Are you using vitamin D to help with RA symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or share your story on myRAteam.

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How Vitamin D Affects The Onset Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

You may hear all sorts of tips on preventing and getting rid of rheumatoid arthritis. Then there are those who tell you that you cannot prevent it at all. Some will tell you that all you can do is prolong the onset.

The latter is true. We can all suffer from rheumatoid arthritis at some point in our lives. It is especially common in women, especially as we age. Our bodies do not produce the right elements within the body or absorb the right nutrients fully, leaving us with a variety of health problems.

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a lot of pain and discomfort at first. Then it leads to the joints not working properly, mostly affecting the knees and the hands.

With all this in mind, you will want to know about tips to avoid the onset. Vitamin D is often encouraged in a way to help absorb calcium in the body. This is supposed to help a range of joint and bone problems. However, does vitamin D help prevent the onset of this type of arthritis? Could it make it worse?

Q: How Do I Check If My Vitamin D Levels Are Low

Ask your doctor for a simple blood test called a total serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D test, which is generally covered by insurance, says Weijia Yuan, M.D., a rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. While experts disagree on what constitutes a healthy level, the NIH recommends between 20 and 50 ng/mL. Ideally, you should be around 50, says Dr.

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Ra And Osteoporotic Fractures

Patients with RA are at an increased risk of osteoporosis and associated fractures . Generally applicable non-disease-specific risk factors include increasing age, low bone density, previous fracture, low body weight, female sex and post-menopausal status. Additional disease-specific risk factors, pertinent to inflammatory polyarthritis, include inflammation, immobility and steroid usage. VDR polymorphisms have also been associated with increased bone loss in patients with RA . Patients with established RA tend to have low levels of vitamin D that may be associated with raised PTH levels and bone loss. The disease-specific risk factors mentioned above may accelerate bone loss associated with low vitamin D and raised PTH. In addition to increased bone loss, raised PTH has been associated with poor muscle function, mortality and falls . Vitamin D supplementation may not reduce RA-associated bone loss or fractures in patients without RA , without an additional bone active drug such as a bisphosphonate, but correction of any vitamin D deficiency is a pre-requisite to treating osteoporosis in all patients.

Study Examined Cells From Inflamed Joints

In their journal paper, the researchers explain that previous studies have revealed that vitamin D has potent anti-inflammatory effects, including the ability to suppress activity in some types of immune system T cell that are known to be active in rheumatoid arthritis.

However, those studies have only used immune cells isolated from blood, and so the impact of vitamin D on immune cells at the site of active disease is unclear.

A significant feature of the new study is that it is the first to use immune cells taken from both the blood and from the inflamed joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Unlike previous studies, explains senior study author Karim Raza, a professor in the Institution of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham, we isolated different immune cell types from the actual site of disease to determine whether specific subsets of immune cells have equal sensitivity to vitamin D.

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What Can I Use To Cure Rheumatism

Examples of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medications include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, penicillamine, and gold injections. Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are medications that contain hormones to treat rheumatic diseases. These medications, such as prednisone, can be taken orally or as an injection.

Spend Some Time In The Sun

To increase your vitamin D levels, the Arthritis Foundation recommends getting 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight exposure every other day. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun helps your body produce its own vitamin D.

However, too much UV ray exposure can cause skin cancer. Dont spend too much time in the sun with your skin exposed.

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Is Vitamin D Supplementation Necessary In Arthritis

There is a linear relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the development of arthritis.

This shows that vitamin D is absolutely essential for maintaining bone health and development.

Hence, people who are suffering from arthritis, they should make sure that they receive enough vitamin D to see a reduction in the symptoms of arthritis.

The amount of pain and disability you feel during arthritis increases with vitamin D deficiency.

Considering vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium, people with enough vitamin D experience less pain because calcium is a natural painkiller and a relaxant.

Vitamin D has a positive effect in reducing the immune response.

What does this mean? This means that if you suffering from arthritis, then it is beneficial to increase your intake of vitamin D because it is an essential nutrient to prevent the progression of arthritis. Apart from taking supplements, it is important to consume foods that have a high content of vitamin D to attain the maximum benefits.

Vitamin D Deficiency Causes Immune Dysfunction And Enables Or Perpetuates The Development Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Key Objectives:

• Conduct a double-blind randomized clinical trial, to test the hypothesis that vitamin D administered to patients with active RA has beneficial effects on this disease.
• Determine if vitamin D administered to patients with RA. induces expansion of the tolerogenic dendritic cell subset by analyzing patterns of cell surface marker expression on dendritic cells at different time points during the clinical trial .

20-25 participants will be allocated to the Vitamin D Group, Arm A. 20-25 participants will be allocated to Placebo Group Arm B Allocation will be conducted in a randomized, double-blind fashion.

Summary of Procedures : After signing a written consent, all potential candidates will undergo a screening interview with the PI and screening blood tests .

Inclusion Criteria:

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It Is Not Just About The Immune System

The effects of vitamin D on the bones is also beneficial for reducing the onset risk of rheumatoid arthritis. It is also essential to reduce the symptoms and progression of the disease.

Vitamin D helps to strengthen the bones. Most importantly when it comes to RA, the nutrient helps to strengthen the cartilage. It is the cartilage that helps to protect against the development of any arthritis. Cartilage is the bit between the bones that help to prevent the two from rubbing. The joints can move around much smoother and easier. Think of it as the lubricant between rocks. When the lubricant goes, the rocks rub together and start shaving away parts of each other. This is excruciating for the bones.

Cartilage will disappear over time. It is a natural part of aging, but you can help to slow down the process with the right amount of vitamin D and calcium. Even if you do not think vitamin D will help prevent the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, you can protect your joints from wear and tear.

There are also studies that show adequate vitamin D can also prevent the onset of other bone diseases, especially rickets. Children who have spent all the time indoors, especially in countries with little sun, have found issues with rickets and other bone diseases.

Vitamin D Status In Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis

Consistent with findings from animal and tissue models, there is evidence that vitamin D deficiency may be more prevalent among patients with various inflammatory arthritides compared to healthy matched controls . In addition, circulating 25D and 1,252D levels may be inversely associated with disease activity within populations of patients with inflammatory arthritis , RA , ankylosing spondylitis , and systemic lupus erythematosus . Indeed some data suggest that RA is more common in populations at latitudes further away from the equator , although not all data confirm this observation .

Despite limitations, the available epidemiologic evidence linking vitamin D to RA, along with proposals of credible biologic pathways involving immune regulation, have led a number of commenters to advocate âcorrectionâ of vitamin D deficiency in inflammatory arthritis . Such calls, however, may be premature.

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Q: Ok Im On Board With D Will I See Immediate Improvement

Dont expect miracles. Youre not going to take 2,000 IUs of vitamin D and suddenly feel like your is better, notes Dr. Hylland. Dr. Yuan also encourages patience: When you have a severe disease, it can be very hard to raise the level of vitamin D. But when the disease quiets down, its much easier.

Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate

Many supplement products aiming to treat arthritis contain both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These substances are found naturally in human cartilage. Research regarding glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements is mixed,14–16 and doctors opinions of them vary. Positive clinical studies suggest they may provide modest pain relief by helping to rebuild worn-out cartilage in your arthritic joints.

In general, if you take any supplement for 2 to 6 months and dont notice any relief from arthritis symptoms, check with your doctor for other options.

Opinions about the recommended doses for supplements can vary. Before starting a new one, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure the supplements contents and the dosage is right for your condition and wont interact with any other medications and supplements you take. Some supplements can cause serious health problems if they are taken at high doses or combined with other supplements and medications.17

Also, keep in mind that supplements are not a quick fix for your arthritis pain. They may take effect graduallyover weeks or months–and provide only a modest decrease in pain. When you combine supplements with other treatments, such as an anti-inflammatory diet and exercise, there may be more significant pain relief.

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Vitamin D As A Potential Arthritis Treatment

More research is needed to determine the potential of vitamin D as a rheumatoid arthritis treatment, and the exact vitamin D form and dosage required for improving arthritis. High dose oral vitamin D supplements have the potential to cause harm, and therefore it is important to consider what is a safe and appropriate dose.

The Institute of Medicines recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D is 600 International Units per day. This recommendation is based on what is needed to prevent rickets and osteoporosis. Many vitamin D researchers disagree with this recommendation and say that the IOMs recommended allowance isnt enough to prevent deficiency or support bone health. Generally, 4,000 IU or less per day is considered safe, as long as your blood values are being monitored. It is important to avoid excessive doses of oral vitamin D. If vitamin D intake is too high, it can cause elevated blood calcium levels and potentially dangerous consequences.

Obtaining vitamin D from light allows your body to self-regulate vitamin D production and make as much as it needs to stay healthy, without any risk of overdose or toxicity. Unlike with oral supplements, you cannot overdose on vitamin D produced in your skin. If you have enough vitamin D, your body will simply produce less.

To learn more about the benefits of producing vitamin D with light, check out our page The Benefits of Sunlight.

How Does Vitamin D Affect The Immune System

Vitamin D is important for a healthy immune system by affecting the function of two important immune cell types, called B cells and T cells, that play a role in RA. These cells have a vitamin D receptor that binds to active vitamin D. When vitamin D binds to the receptor, it changes how the immune cells behave. Vitamin D is described as immunomodulatory, meaning it can modulate the immune system.

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Articles On Natural Remedies For Ra Pain

• Rheumatologist

Medication and other forms of treatment play a major role in managing rheumatoid arthritis. Supplements arenât a treatment — they donât promise to cure or treat any condition, and they donât have to meet the same standards as medications. But if youâre looking into trying some in addition to your treatment plan, hereâs what you should know.

First, be sure you talk to your doctor before you begin using any supplement or herbal medication. They may interact with other drugs, supplements, or herbal medicines you are taking and cause serious side effects. They may also put you at a higher risk for certain conditions.

Is Vitamin D Good For Arthritis

Several scientific studies have identified a link between low vitamin D level and rheumatoid arthritis, and it is common for those with rheumatoid arthritis to have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D receptor gene research reveals an association with RA susceptibility and severity.

Studies looking at vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis have suggested that having higher levels of vitamin D may help prevent RA onset. A study that followed 29,368 women over 11 years found that greater intake of vitamin D was inversely associated with risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Research also shows that lower serum vitamin D is associated with increased rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, pain and functional disability. One study of 1,191 RA patients found that lower levels of vitamin D were correlated with more severe disease activity and disability as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, Disease Activity Score , and Mobility Activities of Daily Living Score. Another study comparing 50 RA patients and 50 controls found that 84% of RA patients were vitamin D deficient versus only 34% of controls. Additionally, in this study vitamin D level was correlated to disease severity, with patients who had lower vitamin D levels having higher disease activity.

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Spend More Time Outside

The Arthritis Foundation recommends spending 10 to 15 minutes in the sun every other day, and possibly longer for those with darker skin. Be careful, however, because time spent in the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people who apply sunscreen daily can maintain healthy vitamin D levels so sunscreen can help you safely get the sun exposure you need.

If you live in a climate where youre unable to get much sun, talk to your doctor about using an ultraviolet lamp, though the health risks of UV exposure still apply.

B Cells And Vitamin D

B cells are responsible for making antibodies that can bind to and help destroy viruses and bacteria. Sometimes, B cells mistakenly make antibodies that attack the bodys tissues, which causes autoimmune diseases like RA. Active vitamin D can control B-cell activity, which may limit the creation of autoantibodies that can lead to autoimmune diseases.

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