Q: Can Getting More Vitamin D Improve My Ra Symptoms
It might. Right now it looks like rheumatoid arthritis patients tend to have lower vitamin D levels, says Dr. Hylland. So we recognize it probably plays an important role. Dr. Hylland estimates over half of his own RA patients are D deficient. Vitamin D levels may impact the severity of RA, too. In a 2018 study from India, RA patients with the most severe symptoms had D levels far lower than the average level among patients in remission or those with mild symptoms. Other studies have found similar results, prompting medical researchers to speculate whether vitamin D supplementation should be considered in RA treatment.
Can Getting More Vitamin D Improve Ra Symptoms
It might. Rheumatoid arthritis patients tend to have lower vitamin D levels, says Dr. Hylland. So we recognize it probably plays an important role. Dr. Hylland estimates over half of his own RA patients are D deficient. Vitamin D levels may impact the severity of RA, too. In a study from India, RA patients with the most severe symptoms had D levels far lower than the average level among patients in remission or those with mild symptoms. Other studies have found similar results, prompting medical researchers to speculate whether vitamin D supplementation should be considered in RA treatment.
How Much Vitamin D Should I Take As A Supplement
If your vitamin D levels turn out to be low, you’ll want to bone up. The NIH recommends 600 IU of vitamin D a day for those age 70 and under, and 800 IU if you are over that age. But deficient adults may benefit from adding up to 2,000 IU a day in some cases. Dr. Yuan recommends her rheumatoid arthritis patients take a daily supplement of 2,000 IU of vitamin D3, the most easily absorbed kind. Pro tip: If youre on a calcium supplement, try taking both togetherthey work synergistically for better bone health.
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Vitamin D Absorption Biosynthesis And Tissue Distribution
Vitamin D, although identified as a fat-soluble vitamin, is increasingly being recognized as a prohormone. Traditionally, vitamin D was considered to be essential for calcium and phosphate homeostasis and thereby, bone health, and its deficiency causes rickets and osteomalacia. Recent evidence, however, advocates a role for vitamin D that extends beyond bone metabolism . Our body obtains vitamin D both directly from the diet, albeit from a narrow range of food sources, and through biosynthesis in the skin. Vitamin D3 is the natural form of vitamin D and is produced from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin. UVB irradiation helps convert 7-dehydrocholesterol, the precursor in the skin, into pre-vitamin D3 and then to vitamin D3. Synthesis in skin serves as an essential source of vitamin D3 and depends crucially on season and geographical latitude . Studies involving human and pig models indicate that vitamin D3 is predominantly distributed in fat tissue and in smaller amounts in muscles, liver, and skin. Distribution of 25-D3 was somewhat similar within compartments . The body fat content has also been reported to inversely correlate with serum levels of 25-D3, which could indicate that those with high body fat content might be at risk of vitamin D3 deficiency .
Got Knee Pain Stack On Calcium
Calcium is required to keep bones healthy and strong. Patients with a calcium deficiency are at a high risk of osteoporosis, which results in weak bones that are at risk of breaking. A lack of calcium in your diet might also result in other conditions such as osteomalacia, which can cause rickets.
Weak bones such as these might result in fatal injuries, which might lead to long-term joint pain like seen on many athletes. This is why there are different calcium needs for people with arthritis. Here are good food sources of calcium:
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It Prevents The Progression Of Arthritis
Cytokine-mediated pathways play a central role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
This is because rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease and cytokines mediate an important role in regulating the adaptive and innate responses of the immune system.
It is important to regulate levels of cytokine for normal functioning of the immune system.
This can prevent the occurrence or progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
An experimental study evaluated the effects and mechanisms of Vitamin E on serum levels of cytokines.
The conclusion made was that Vitamin E reduced levels of cytokines in the serum suggesting that its supplementation in the diet can be used as a novel method in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
What does this mean? Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and cytokines play an important role in regulating conditions of the immune system. Vitamin E in the diet can reduce high levels of serum which are responsible for the auto-immune conditions. This approach of incorporating vitamin E in the diet can be used as an effective treatment of arthritis.
Why Is Vitamin D Deficiency So Widespread
The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is the lack of sun exposure. Secondly, there are very few foods that naturally contain vitamin D. Examples of foods rich in Vitamin D include oily fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel, sundried mushrooms, or those exposed to sunlight, and cod liver oil. Other causes of vitamin D deficiency include dark skin pigmentation, obesity, pregnancy, and ageing.
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How Much Should You Really Be Getting
The NIH suggests adults get 600 IU of vitamin D daily, while adults over the age of 70 should get 800 IU per day.
Some other organizations recommend higher doses, but according to the Mayo Clinic, taking in more than 4,000 IU a day is dangerous, and could result in side effects like nausea and vomiting, heart rhythm problems and kidney damage.
Yet, about 1 billion people worldwide are deficient in vitamin D, according to the June 2019 article in StatPearls. And half of the global population has insufficient, but not medically deficient, levels of the nutrient.
Bone Mineral Disease Management In Ra Patients And Others
Despite our cautionary notes, we recognize that the prescription of calcium and vitamin D supplements to those at high risk of osteoporosis is warranted according to current recommendations . RA, like age, lifestyle, and hormonal and nutritional factors, should be considered a risk factor for osteoporosis. The presence of one or more of these risk factors may lead to measurement of bone mineral density by dual x-ray absorptiometry , and should result in advice to the patient on adequate calcium and vitamin D intake , exercise, and lifestyle modification. Intervention for the prevention of bone loss should be considered when the DXA T score is less than approximately â1.0 to â1.5 in the presence of osteoporosis risk factors. This intervention may include vitamin D and calcium supplementation as well as lifestyle advice.
Presently the decision to treat a patient with vitamin D and calcium supplements is commonly based on simple osteoporosis risk factors and DXA results rather than serum 25D levels. This practice may be analogous to giving statins to individuals at high cardiovascular risk irrespective of their cholesterol level. Whether measurement of serum 25D helps to further improve stratification for risk of osteoporosis remains to be determined, although there is some evidence that a sizable proportion of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are not necessarily vitamin D deficient .
Overview
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Q: How Much Vitamin D Do I Need
The NIH recommends 600 IU of vitamin D a day for those 70 and under, and 800 IU after that. But deficient adults may benefit from adding up to 2,000 IU a day . Dr. Yuan recommends her RA patients take a daily supplement of 2,000 IU of vitamin D3, the most easily absorbed kind. Pro tip: If youre on a calcium supplement, try taking both togetherthey work synergistically for bone health.
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Theres A Connection Between The Sunshine Vitamin And This Chronic Condition Find Out What The Research Says And What It Means For You
by Health WriterLaura Pratt
News flash: Vitamin D is the latest wonder supplement. We already know that it may improve mood, ease chronic pain, and heart health . It may even reduce fracture risk in the elderly. Butwait for itit could also help treat and improve the symptoms of your rheumatoid arthritis. The influence of vitamin D on the immune system is just being understood, says Robert Hylland, M.D., a rheumatologist in Muskegon, MI. Here’s what the experts know now.
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Role Of Vitamin D In Osteoarthritis: Molecular Cellular And Clinical Perspectives
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a debilitating and degenerative disease which affects millions of people worldwide. The causes and mechanisms of osteoarthritis remain to be fully understood. Vitamin D has been hypothesised to play essential roles in a number of diseases including osteoarthritis. Many cell types within osteoarthritic joints appear to experience negative effects often at increased sensitivity to vitamin D. These findings contrast clinical research which has identified vitamin D deficiency to have a worryingly high prevalence among osteoarthritis patients. Randomised-controlled trial is considered to be the most rigorous way of determining the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the development of osteoarthritis. Studies into the effects of low vitamin D levels on pain and joint function have to date yielded controversial results. Due to the apparent conflicting effects of vitamin D in knee osteoarthritis, further research is required to fully elucidate its role in the development and progression of the disease as well as assess the efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation as a therapeutic strategy.
1. Introduction
2. Vitamin D Forms and Biosynthesis
3. Vitamin D Receptor
4. Vitamin D and Bone
4.1. Osteoblasts
4.2. Osteoclasts
4.3. Chondrocytes
5. Vitamin D Deficiency and OA
5.1. Development and Progression
5.2. Pain and Function
5.3. Bone Mineral Density
5.4. Body Composition
6. Increasing Vitamin D Levels in Patients
7. Concluding Remarks
Vitamin D Can Help Relieve Knee Pain
When calcium increases the strength of your bones, Vitamin D helps the calcium do its work. Vitamin D is crucial to process and regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate within the body. These very nutrients are important for developing the structure and strength of your bones.
A lack of vitamin D can also to the development of conditions such as osteomalacia and osteoporosis. Away from good bone health, Vitamin D also boosts your immune system while helping you have healthy muscles.
If you are looking to increase your Vitamin D intake, the best source is the sun. Spend enough time outdoors each day so your body has enough vitamin D. If you are worried that your Vitamin D intake is low, ask your physician if you need supplements.
On the other hand, you can increase your Vitamin D in your diet by eating more:
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Health Benefits Of Tumeric
This common spice in Indian food and curries may help those who suffer from arthritis. Closely related to the ginger family, turmeric can reduce joint stiffness and neck strain by blocking inflammatory enzymes and cytokines.
Turmeric is also great for adding color and flavor to meals, smoothies, and teas. Curcumin, the anti-inflammatory chemical in turmeric, makes up less than six percent of turmeric. Therefore, supplements like capsules or extracts can provide a much higher dose of curcumin than the spice bottle that you find in your pantry.
However, you should avoid turmeric if you are pregnant, scheduled for surgery, or are taking blood thinners.
Seeking Help For Your Arthritis Pain
If arthritis has kept you from living the life you want, NJ Spine & Orthopedic is ready to help. Our caring team will empower you with information about the latest conservative treatments and therapies, such as the best supplements for you. If conservative treatments havent been effective in relieving your arthritis pain, we will be happy to discuss minimally invasive surgical options with you.
With the right treatment regimen, you can resume doing the things you love. Schedule an appointment today with one of our arthritis doctors to discover how NJ Spine & Orthopedic can help you!
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Rating Quality Of Evidence
The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to rate the quality of evidence for each outcome. The strength of the evidence was categorized as high, moderate, low or very low . The GRADE was used to rate the quality of evidence by the consensus of two authors.
Getting Your Daily Dose
During autumn and winter , the Department of Health recommends that everyone should consider a daily supplement containing 10mcg of vitamin D. Those at higher risk should consider a supplement throughout the year. A wide variety of supplements containing vitamin D are available from chemists and supermarkets.
Look for vitamin D3, which is the same form of the vitamin that the body makes from sunlight and is generally absorbed better than vitamin D2. Fish oil, such as cod liver oil, can be an appropriate alternative source of vitamin D and may have other benefits for arthritis, too.
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Key Nutrients For Knee Pain You Should Have Every Day
Millions of people experience debilitating knee pain thanks to osteoarthritis, with one in four adults in America with arthritis report severe pain in joints as a result of arthritis. If you are an athlete or if osteoarthritis runs in your family, you want to do all you can to prevent knee injury.
In some cases, some physicians might recommend training programs that involve strength training, flexibility exercises, and agility drills to help athletes to prevent knee injury. But what if we told you exercises are not the only way to strengthen your knees. Eating nutritious diets can help strengthen joints and might alleviate swelling and pain.
Heres what to add to your grocery list.
The Role Of Inflammation
Experts believe inflammation may have something to do with this. Autoimmune diseases like psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis involve an inflammation process, explains Waseem Mir, MD, a rheumatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “We think that inflammation causes a decrease in vitamin D,” he told Health. ” not because don’t have enough vitamin D in their body, but they’re not processing it correctly.”
It makes sense. The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Both calcium and vitamin D work to promote healthy bones, and vitamin D also seems to be involved in the proper functioning of the immune system. And the bones and immune system are both compromised in people who have psoriatic arthritis.
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How Often Do You Need To Get Your Vitamin D Levels Checked
Doctors do not usually order routine checks of vitamin D levels, but they might need to check your levels if you have certain medical conditions or risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Sometimes vitamin D levels can be checked as a cause of symptoms such as long-lasting body aches, a history of falls or bone fractures without significant trauma.
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Yes It’s Possible To Have Too Much Vitamin D
Supplementing with vitamin D is a balancing act. Excessive vitamin D supplementation over time can be toxic, leading to abnormal heart rhythms, kidney stones, muscle weakness, and confusion. Still, this is rare and happens only with extremely high-dose supplementation60,000 IU a day for several months, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your doctor can help you find the right dose for you.
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How Does Vitamin D Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis
Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to increased risk and activity of a variety of autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease. Research suggests that there may be an association between vitamin D deficiency, juvenile arthritis, and inflammatory arthritis. Some studies have suggested that vitamin D could help manage inflammation related to arthritis, due to the role vitamin D plays in regulating immune and inflammatory responses in the body.
Vitamin D acts as an immune system modulator by suppressing inflammation associated with both the innate and adaptive immune response. Studies have shown that vitamin D plays a role in both the activation of immune cells for helping the body fight off infections, and also in suppressing immune response in cases of hyperinflammation. This excessive inflammation is what happens in the body in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. In response to foreign pathogens, the immune system releases small proteins called cytokines, which trigger an immune response to help fight off infections. Sometimes this response goes into overdrive and excessive amounts of cytokines are released. This is known as a cytokine storm and can cause hyperinflammation. Vitamin D decreases inflammation by suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokine cells and facilitating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine cells.
Bone Health Is Important
Dr Christine Haseler, a GP with a special interest in arthritis, says: The risk with arthritis is that you may not be mobile, so youre less likely to be spending long periods of time outdoors and topping up your vitamin D levels in the sun.
Vitamin D is essential for bone health. With osteoarthritis, especially as you get older, you may be more likely to be frail and prone to falling. If your bone health isnt good and you fall and fracture your hip, thats very serious.
If youve had inflammatory arthritis throughout your life and if it has been persistent you may have had times without weight-bearing exercise. You may also have been on steroids, and both can lead to thinner bones and osteoporosis. Preventing thinning of the bones means you have some protection if you get into difficulty.
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