Trace minerals are essential nutrients that your body uses in minute quantities. Most of the group of 18 trace minerals are required in units called micrograms. Several trace minerals have been found potentially helpful at relieving symptoms of arthritis. Check with your doctor before using trace minerals to treat a medical condition.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Selenium levels were found to be significantly lower and copper levels significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, compared with osteoarthritis, or OA, patients in a study conducted by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey. In OA patients, copper and iron levels were significantly higher than in RA patients. Levels of zinc were essentially the same between the two groups. The researchers believe that changes in immune activity in RA may account for the observed differences in trace mineral levels. Further studies are warranted to determine whether supplementation to restore depleted levels of trace mineral levels may alleviate arthritis symptoms. The study was published in the August 2005 issue of the journal "Biological Trace Element Research."
Variable Results
Selenium supplementation was not effective at improving RA symptoms in a study conducted at the Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Pharmacy, Free University of Brussels, Belgium. In the study, 55 participants with moderate RA took 200 mg of selenium per day for 90 days. The severity of swollen and painful joints and morning stiffness decreased equally in the selenium group and the control group that did not receive selenium. However, the selenium group showed significant improvement in arm range of motion and reported an increased overall health in a quality-of-life assessment.
Selenium
Trace mineral supplements may benefit arthritis patients, according to Howard Anthony Bird, author of the book "Arthritis." Selenium in doses of 50 to 200 micrograms may provide arthritis-relieving and bone-building benefits in some people. Bird cautions that too much selenium can be toxic and may impair absorption of certain drugs. Use selenium with your doctor's supervision.
Boron
The trace mineral boron may benefit arthritis by helping build better bones, says naturopathic doctor Michael T. Murray, co-author of the book "The Condensed Encyclopedia of Healing Foods." Boron increases calcium and estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, both of which preserve bone health. Boron also directly improves arthritis symptoms; however, its mechanism is not fully understood. Murray recommends supplementing with 3 mg of boron per day to improve calcium and estrogen levels. Boron is also found in many plant foods, notably prunes, raisins and almonds.
References
- "Biological Trace Elements Research"; Synovial Fluid and Plasma Selenium, Copper, Zinc, and Iron Concentrations in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis; M.Yazar, et al.; August 2005
- "Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology";Selenium Supplementation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Investigated in a Double Blind, Placebo-controlled Trial; A. Peretz, et al.; 2001
- "Arthritis"; DK Publishing; 2006
- "The Condensed Encyclopedia of Healing Foods"; Michael T. Murray,et al; 2005
- TheFreeMedicalDictionary.com: Trace Minerals
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