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.
Vitamin B6indices Were Altered In Specific Tissues During Inflammation In Humans With Rheumatoid Arthritis
In the human study, plasma pyridoxal 5-phosphate concentrations were significantly lower in patients than in healthy subjects . This observation was comparable to our previous finding . In contrast, no difference was found between patients and controls in erythrocyte pyridoxal 5-phosphate or erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase or 4-pyridoxic acid levels. No difference was found in concentrations of plasma folate, red blood cell folate or plasma vitamin B12 between patients and controls.
These results suggest that the lower vitamin B6 concentration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is tissue-specific.
Individual Food Items In Diet And Their Relevance To Ra
In an average diet comprising of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there are several food items which are rich source of some phytochemicals and their efficacy in eradication of diseases has been known and is included under traditional medicines on which 80% of the world population relies . Food items such as dietary fibers, cooking oil, polyphenols, bioactive compounds from several herbs and beverages like tea are among the cheapest sources of medication however, their bioavailability has always been a matter of concern.
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Megadose Of Vitamin C For Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation: Pilot Study
High doses of intravenous vitamin C may reduce arthritic pain.
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, a notion further supported by clinical evidence that subjects with rheumatoid arthritis bear higher levels of inflammation-inducing reactive oxygen species within the body.
Any number of ROS-scavenging ingredients, then, might alleviate inflammation in those with rheumatoid arthritis. But researchers at the Riordan Clinic in Wichita, Kansas are looking at rheumatoid arthritis and vitamin C . Vitamin C isnt just an ROS scavenger it aids in collagen formation, and clinical trials indicate that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers often have vitamin C deficiency and low levels of vitamin C in their synovial fluid, the primary lubricant of human joints. All of this led Riordan Clinic researchers to investigate the potential for relieving rheumatoid arthritis pain with very high vitamin C doses.
In a pilot study on 11 rheumatoid arthritis patients, subjects were assigned to intravenous doses of vitamin C ranging from 7.5 g to 50 g. The primary endpoint was C-reactive protein , a marker of inflammation that dropped by an average of 44% in the nine subjects who experienced decreases.
Riordan Clinic researchers are hopeful that future arthritis research will focus on vitamin C doses and specific levels of proinflammatory cytokines.
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The Effects Of Vitamin C On Arthritis
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that plays essential roles in joint health and immune function that may benefit people with arthritis. A growing body of research suggests the vitamin may ease pain, reduce inflammation, and protect against cartilage damage associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis .
An autoimmune disease, RA is the result of an immune system malfunction where healthy cells are attacked by mistake, causing inflammation and swelling in affected joints. OA, often referred to as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, is characterized by a gradual deterioration of the joints.
Though different conditions, both result in joint pain that research suggests may benefit from adequate intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C may protect against the development and progression OA and RA for a variety of reasons:
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights molecules that trigger joint inflammation.
- Vitamin C serves a role as a co-factor in collagen synthesis, the main protein in joint tissue and bone.
- Vitamin C plays a role in fighting infection and may work to control inflammation linked to infection, which may trigger arthritis flares.
In addition, vitamin C appears to moderate the autoimmune response in rheumatoid arthritis and help prevent a worsening of the chronic condition.
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Vitamins C And E And Carotenoids
Vitamins C and E and provitamin A carotenoids are strong antioxidants and have been hypothesized to protect against the development of rheumatoid arthritis . A nested case-control study conducted in Finland found that people with incident cases of rheumatoid arthritis had lower prediagnostic serum levels of -tocopherol and -carotene than matched controls . After additional follow-up , serum levels of -tocopherol were only 1.4 percent lower in cases, while results for -carotene were not reported . A nested case-control study conducted in Maryland found that persons with incident cases of rheumatoid arthritis had lower prediagnostic serum levels of -tocopherol and -carotene than matched controls . In a population-based case-control study of 324 arthritis cases aged 1864 years and 1,245 controls , there was no association of rheumatoid arthritis with dietary vitamin E, and there was a weak inverse association with dietary vitamin C .
How To Take It
People who eat a balanced diet should meet the daily requirement for vitamin B6 without taking a supplement. As with all medications and supplements, check with a health care provider before giving vitamin B6 supplements to a child.
Daily recommendations for dietary vitamin B6 are:
Pediatric
- Men and women, 19 to 50 years: 1.3 mg
- Men, 51 years and older: 1.7 mg
- Women, 51 years and older: 1.5 mg
- Pregnant women: 1.9 mg
- Breastfeeding women: 2.0 mg
Larger doses have been used in some studies. But you should not take doses above 100 mg per day without a doctors supervision. Large doses of B6 may cause nerve damage.
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Five Warning Signs Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Around 10 million people in the UK suffer from arthritis.
Two million of those have rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease where pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints is caused by inflammation.
Flare ups can be common and usually affect the hands, wrists and feet.
Vitamin C has been found to help arthritis sufferers with their joint pain.
In particular, the vitamin seems to work well for those with rheumatoid arthritis.
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How Do Doctors Diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis
There is no single test that shows whether you have RA. Your doctor will give you a checkup, ask you about your symptoms, and possibly perform X-rays and blood tests.
Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed from a combination of things, including:
- The location and symmetry of painful joints, especially the hand joints
- Joint stiffness in the morning
- Bumps and nodules under the skin
- Results of X-rays and blood tests
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Tips For Eating More Anti
If youre looking to add more anti-inflammatory foods for rheumatoid arthritis to your diet, then follow these tips:
- Choose foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber
- Add more antioxidants to your diet like vitamins A, C and E
- Opt for deep red, blue and purple fruits
- Pick nuts and beans as your snack foods
- Choose natural cooking oils over hydrogenated ones
- Add more fish to your weekly dinner plans
- Eat more plant-based foods overall
A change in diet can make a difference for many people with rheumatoid arthritis. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have any concerns over types of anti-inflammatory foods for rheumatoid arthritis.
Dont Invest In Otc Supplements Before You Read This First
Theres something appealing about being able to help manage a chronic illness with so-called natural remedies like vitamins and minerals. That explains why theres no shortage of natural remedies marketed to people with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis.
There is a shortage, however, of solid scientific evidence to support whether or not you should take certain supplements. Will they actually help improve arthritis symptoms? Could they interact with other medications you take? Or might they potentially have negative side effects of their own?
Herbal supplements in particular concern me because theyre marketed using testimonials and not on any clinical data, says William Davis, MD, the chair of rheumatology at Oschner Health System in New Orleans and a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology. As a physician, its my role to recommend treatments where theres a higher understanding of risks and benefits.
There are, however, certain vitamins and minerals that research shows can be an essential part of treatment for many patients with inflammatory arthritis. We asked Dr. Davis which ones you may need as part of your recommended treatment plan, as well as which natural remedies may show the most promise in helping with pain relief.
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An Orange Is A Healthy Snack Right Maybe Not Here’s What You Need To Know About The Vitamin C
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But what about oranges? Citrus fruits are loaded with the antioxidant vitamin C, which has been linked to an improved immune system, wound healing and even preventing arthritis. Perhaps your rheumatologist has recommended a vitamin C regimen every day.
Unlike some other vitamins, our bodies cant make vitamin C, so we need to obtain it from our diets. When we dont get enough vitamin C, we can experience fatigue, slower healing and more infections. According to the Arthritis Foundation, taking vitamin C may help prevent inflammatory arthritis. Unfortunately, when it comes to vitamin C, you can definitely have too much of a good thing.
This is how the vitamin C arthritis-connection could be affecting you.
People Who Consume Less Vitamin C May Be Three Times More At Risk At Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis Than Those Who Dont
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by an inflammation of the joint linings which results in the decay of the joints. According to a study in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, the intake of high vitamin C doses may protect against certain types of rheumatoid arthritis.
The study involved over 23, 000 people in the United Kingdom. They study kept tract of peoples dietary intake of foods. The study found that people who developed arthritis ate fewer vegetables and fruits than those who did not. Those who ate the least amount of fruits and vegetables had two times the risk of developing arthritis.
What was particularly significant was how much of a role vitamin C played in this difference. People who consumed the least amount of vitamin C were three times more likely to develop arthritis than those who consumed the highest amount. These interesting effects of vitamin C may come from the following reasons:
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which fights rheumatoid inflammation
- It helps fight infection and thus fight the inflammation that is caused by infection.
Make sure to consume an adequate amount of vitamin C in your diet. If you wish to go on a high vitamin C diet, please consult with your doctor first.
Dawn Flemming is Director of Business Services at Geriatric In-Home Care in Fresno, California.
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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.
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Fish Oils Benefit Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Many small studies have concluded that fish oil supplementation leads to a marked improvement in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. However, precisely because these studies have been small, their publication has not had a major impact on the medical treatment of arthritis. A team of researchers from the Harvard Medical School has now combined and analyzed the results of these smaller studies. Their meta-analysis covered 10 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies aimed at determining the effect of fish oil supplementation on 8 measures of arthritis severity including the number of tender joints, number of swollen joints, extent of morning stiffness, grip strength, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and overall global assessment of disease severity. The studies involved a total of 368 participants who took fish oil supplements for at least three months. The meta-analysis revealed a highly significant decrease in the number of tender joints and a significant shortening in the duration of morning stiffness among patients supplementing with fish oils. No statistically significant changes were observed for the other measured indicators of disease severity.
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Vitamin B6 And Diabetes
Vitamin B6 has been found to be associated with diabetes, wherein blood PLP levels are lower in these patients . Studies have demonstrated that vitamin B6 supplementation reduces the incidence of diabetes and its complications . Vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with insulin-glucagon dysregulation, glucose tolerance, and -cell degeneration . Since vascular disease is a hallmark of diabetic complications, this may explain the comorbidities of CVD, hypertension, and diabetes in COVID-19. Vitamin B6 was even found to play a beneficial role in vascular endothelial function in diabetic patients . Among the B6-vitamers, pyridoxamine has anti-glycation activity and inhibits the formation of advanced glycation end-products that are major mediators of inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial-vascular wall damage . Increase in AGEs is implicated in initiation and progression of diabetes-associated microvascular diseases, major diabetic complications. Based on these notions, we can assume that sufficient vitamin B6 levels are beneficial to suppress severity of COVID-19, partly through ameliorating diabetic complications.
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Eat These 8 Foods To Help Beat Ra Inflammation
Aim for a total vitamin C intake of 75 milligrams per day for women, and 90 mg per day for men, the current U.S. recommended dietary allowance. If you’re pregnant, aim for 85 mg and if you’re lactating, 120 mg.
Citrus foods, such as oranges, grapefruit, lemon, and limes, are rich in vitamin C, and are also good sources of inflammation-fighting antioxidants, which are beneficial for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Citrus, however, may interfere with the bodys ability to process certain RA medications, such as oral cyclosporine and possibly methotrexate. Research has shown that regular consumption of grapefruit juice blocks the protein known as CYP3A4 that helps the body metabolize cyclosporine other research has suggested that other citrus juices, like those made from Seville oranges, limes, and pomelos, may also affect how CYP3A4 works in the body.
If youre taking meds that can be affected by citrus, you may need to get vitamin C from other sources such as tomatoes, peppers, melons, strawberries, kiwi, or potatoes, Sandon suggests. A half cup of cooked broccoli, for example, has over half of the recommended vitamin C daily value.
Another option, notes Sandon, is to avoid taking your medication with citrus juices. Instead, have the juice or citrus fruit at another time of day. Talk with your healthcare provider to figure out whats best for your diet and medication routine.
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Duration Of Cyclooxygenase Inhibitor Use
NSAIDs used in study subjects included celecoxib, meloxicam, nimed, sulindac, and diclofenac. In subjects who were taking cyclooxygenase inhibitors, 74% of them had been taking NSAIDs > 6 mo . The duration of NSAID use was based on the prescription history that was confirmed by a questionnaire administered by the study personnel. The Duration of NSAID use was divided into the following 3 categories: no use, 6 mo, or > 6 mo.
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Good And Bad Fruits For Gout
Yes, there are two groups as I have stated above when it comes to fruits. The first group fruits should be consumed. First of all, fruit is generally rich in fiber and it is one ingredient gout patients do need.
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Fiber can help you empty the bowels quicker than usual, decrease the sugar levels and all in combined, decrease the risk from a gout attack. Fruits are also rich in vitamin C which is mandatory vitamin all gout patients do need.
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