Arthritis affects 46 million adults in the United States, causing symptoms such as pain and joint stiffness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Standard arthritis treatment usually involves medications designed to reduce inflammation and pain, but patients can also turn to vitamins and dietary supplements to target arthritis symptoms.
Vitamin C
Low vitamin levels could contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation reports. Researchers from Great Britain found that people with low vitamin C levels had triple the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, compared to people with adequate vitamin C intake, according to an article on the Arthritis Today website. However, overdoing it on vitamin C could be damaging. An animal study from Duke University researchers indicated that extremely high vitamin C levels lead to pain, bone growth and damage to the joints in people with osteoarthritis.
B Vitamins
Chronic inflammation could interfere with vitamin B-6 levels in people with rheumatoid arthritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although people with rheumatoid arthritis should check with their doctors before taking any supplements, adding a vitamin B complex dietary supplement to the daily routine could improve low vitamin B-6 levels associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, the monounsaturated fat found in fish such as mackerel, trout, salmon, herring and tuna and nuts, reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that taking fish oil decreases joint pain and stiffness and might reduce the need for arthritis medications in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Though studied less extensively than rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis patients may also benefit from eating an omega-3 fatty acid-rich diet or taking supplements.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural substances situated in and around cartilage cells, and vitamin supplements containing these compounds are often marketed as helpful to people with arthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin vitamin supplements generally reduce pain and improve joint function in people with osteoarthritis, particularly arthritis of the knee, according to MayoClinic.com. However, clinical studies conducted on glucosamine and chondroitin offer mixed evidence. A trial of 1,583 patients with osteoarthritis supported by the National Institutes of Health found that taking glucosamine and chondroitin didn't improve osteoarthritis symptoms any more than placebo treatments.
