Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joint cartilage. It cannot be cured and usually causes a severe restriction in the mobility of those affected. According to the German Rheumatism League, damaged joint cartilage cannot regenerate itself, so the body has to deal with the disease in the long term. Which vitamins can help with osteoarthritis?
What is osteoarthritis?
Loud healthinformation.comAccording to a portal from the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage layer on the joints “becomes thinner and rougher”. As the cartilage layer wears away over the years, the disease develops slowly. In advanced osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage layer can even be completely worn away in places, causing bone to rub against bone. There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, but sufficient exercise can maintain joint mobility. Diet also plays an important role in osteoarthritis.
Vitamins for osteoarthritis: What helps the body?
There are many causes of arthrosis; being overweight or putting too much strain on the joints can play a role. But diseases such as rheumatism also attack the joints. Since the body often has to deal with inflammation in the joints when suffering from arthrosis, the need for nutrients also increases. These vitamins can support the body when suffering from arthrosis:
- “Vitamin C “plays a particularly important role in osteoarthritis, because it leads to increased oxidation and excessive formation of free radicals,” writes nutritionist and health scientist Sven-David Müller in his guide “The 50 Best Osteoarthritis Killers” (Trias Verlag). The vitamin has been proven to act as an antioxidant in the body, can bind free radicals in the body and prevent oxidative stress. Foods with particularly high levels of vitamin C are paprika and broccoli.
- Vitamin E It also acts as an antioxidant and is therefore particularly important for osteoarthritis patients. In addition, according to Müller, it can prevent cell damage and stabilize cell walls. The effectiveness of Vitamin E in the case of active osteoarthritis – including osteoarthritis with accompanying inflammation – was demonstrated in a study. The results were published in Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery published. Patients who were given 400 IU of vitamin E over 6 weeks reported significantly greater pain relief than the placebo group. Foods rich in vitamin E are fats and oils, but also blueberries, sunflower seeds and almonds. fat-soluble vitamin Vitamin E can be stored by the body. Anyone considering taking dietary supplements should consult their doctor.
- Vitamin D is the only vitamin that the body can produce itself with the help of the sun. Therefore, strictly speaking, it is a hormone and not a vitamin. Vitamin D is relevant both for maintaining healthy bones and for building muscle. Since osteoarthritis patients are often in danger of building up their muscles to stabilize the joints – especially in the knee, for example – the body should have a good Vitamin D levels available. “The icing on the cake is the vitamin’s function as an inflammation killer,” Müller continues.
Not just vitamins: Other nutrients that are important for osteoarthritis
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Nutrition expert Sven-David Müller recommends consuming less arachidonic acid and more omega-3 fatty acids at the same time. The former are suspected of promoting inflammatory diseases, while omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect, according to the health scientist.
- zinc Is one of the vital trace elements that the body must absorb through the diet. In osteoarthritis patients, the zinc-Requirements may be increased – especially if the joints are repeatedly inflamed. According to Müller, the daily requirement quickly doubles: from 10 to 15 mg to 20 to 30 mg. Foods rich in zinc include pork liver, Emmental cheese and pine nuts.
- copper is important because, together with zinc, it can protect cells from free radicals. In the case of osteoarthritis, it is therefore important to ensure an adequate supply of both minerals.
- calcium is the most important building material for bones. A good vitamin D level ensures that the mineral reaches the right place. “Strong bones protect the joints, which is why they play an important role in osteoarthritis,” writes Müller.
- selenium can help in both the prevention and treatment of acute osteoarthritis. Scientist at the University of North Carolina since 2005 in a study with 940 subjects found that low selenium levels increase the risk of osteoarthritis and higher levels in the blood can reduce the risk by up to 20 percent. Participants with the highest selenium levels had a 40 percent lower risk of knee osteoarthritis compared to those with the lowest selenium levels.
- manganese – although it is available in large quantities, similar to selenium – is toxic, it is needed for healthy bones. “The maintenance and development of cartilage and bones is not possible without the trace element, which makes manganese an arthrosis killer,” writes Müller in his guide. It is part of an enzyme that is needed for cartilage growth.
Vitamins and minerals: What makes no sense for osteoarthritis?
Anyone considering taking nutritional supplements should consult their GP or a metabolic specialist. Blood tests can be used to determine how well the body is supplied with most vitamins and minerals. A higher dosage can then be given initially if necessary until the name can be adjusted to the maintenance dose – the amount needed to maintain a healthy level of the corresponding nutrient.
Müller advises against copper bracelets or copper chains, which some manufacturers claim have a healing effect on arthritis or other ailments. The jewelry cannot relieve inflammation. The effectiveness of boron preparations for arthritis has also not been proven. The portal medizin-transparent.atthe University of Continuing Education Krems, could only find one clinical study on the subject in which several people participated and, on the other hand, the symptoms could not be alleviated.
