Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints and is characterized by pain, inflammation and stiffness. There are a number of different forms of arthritis, but rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most common forms. Treatment may vary according to the type of arthritis, but usually includes prescription anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Losing excess pounds if you are overweight will also help by taking pressure off your joints. Certain nutrients, including selenium, might also play a role in the treatment of arthritis although evidence to prove this is limited as of 2011. Get medical advice before taking selenium supplements.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Selenium is a trace mineral that helps protect the body from free-radical damage. It also helps maintain thyroid function and might play a role in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that it may also help to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, adding that some arthritis sufferers have low levels of selenium in their blood.
Sources and Dosage
Selenium is found in a variety of foods including beef, cod, Brazil nuts and eggs, although plant foods are the richest source of this mineral, says the Office of Dietary Supplements. Selenium is also available as a dietary supplement. Guidance regarding the amount required to help alleviate arthritis symptoms is lacking, but your health care provider may be able to determine a suitable dose for you.
Effectiveness
Evidence to support the use of selenium in the treatment of arthritis is mixed. The results of a double-blind multicenter placebo-controlled study, published in the "Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology" in 2001, shows that selenium supplementation did not improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, findings from early research published in the September 1997 issue of the German medical journal "Medizinische Klinik" show that rheumatoid arthritis patients who took selenium supplements needed less anti-inflammatory drugs, leading the authors to conclude that selenium may play a role in the treatment of this condition.
Other Considerations
The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that taking too much selenium might cause selenosis, a condition characterized by symptoms including hair loss, fatigue, gastrointestinal upset and mild nerve damage. The upper tolerable limit of selenium is 400mcg daily. Keep in mind that high doses of selenium may decrease the absorption of vitamin C.
References
- NHS Choices: Arthritis
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Selenium
- "Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology"; Selenium Supplementation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Investigated in a Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial; A. Peretz, et al.; 2001
- "Medizinische Klinik"; Selenium Concentration in Erythrocytes of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Clinical and Laboratory Chemistry Infection Markers During Administration of Selenium; K. Heinle, et al.; September 1997
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Selenium
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