Tendinitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the tendons and ligaments, or tissues that connect muscles to bones, affects your ankles, knees, wrists, elbows and thumbs. The condition produces pain during movement, sensitivity to touch and joint swelling. Certain vitamins may help ease the symptoms of tendinitis.
Check with your doctor if you plan to use vitamins to treat tendinitis.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties, and may help reduce joint swelling associated with tendinitis, according to Dr. James Balch and Phyllis Balch, authors of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." It is also an antioxidant vitamin, and may help prevent tendon and ligament damage caused by free radical molecules. Vitamin E is necessary for the production of tissue cells, and may help your body repair damaged connective tissue.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C may prevent damage and reduce inflammation caused by tendinitis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This vitamin naturally enhances immune system function, and may prevent ligament and tendon damage caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is also an antioxidant vitamin that can help prevent toxins and free radicals from attacking healthy tendon cells. Vitamin C may speed the healing of connective tissue.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A promotes the repair of connective tissue, which may reduce pain associated with tendinitis, according to the Balches. It may help prevent ligament and tendon damage caused by environmental pollutants, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, smoking and alcohol use. Vitamin A is also an immune system booster and an antioxidant. Foods such as apricots, alfalfa, parsley, sage, carrots, pumpkin and plantains contain vitamin A.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Tendinitis
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 1997
