Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, affects nearly 1 percent of Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Although not firmly established, genetic markers and environmental aspects seem to play a role in developing RA. RA affects your joints, causing swelling, inflammation and pain. Inflammation may lead to fatigue, depression, anemia, loss of appetite and low-grade fever. Over-the-counter vitamins may help relieve some of these symptoms in conjunction with conventional therapy, but check with your physician.
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 deficiency is well-documented in individuals with RA, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It also states that the inflammation process in RA may cause this lower vitamin B-6 level. A 2010 study in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" followed 35 adults with RA who were given 100 mg of vitamin B-6 plus folic acid. The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 1.3 mg. After 12 weeks, the study concluded that this large dose of vitamin B-6 helped relieve the inflammatory process. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, through its interaction with calcium, plays a vital role in maintaining healthy bones and possibly immune functioning. A 2004 article in the journal "Arthritis and Rheumatism" reported on an 11-year study that followed over 29,000 women in regards to their vitamin D intake. Of these women, 152 developed RA. Upon analyzing the data, the study concluded that the lower the amount of vitamin D consumed, the higher the risk for developing RA.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes cell-damaging free radicals and boosts the immune system in order to fight off bacterial and viral infections. It is also thought to possess analgesic properties. In the journal "Annals of Rheumatic Disease," a 1997 study put this hypothesis to the test in reference to the pain caused by RA. In a double-blind study, 42 patients were administered 600 mg of vitamin E twice daily for 12 weeks, after which they were found to have a significant, but small, decrease in pain.
Folate
Methotrexate is a drug commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and is referred to as a group of drugs called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, according to the University of Washington Medicine. It helps by decreasing pain and swelling. However, it also alters the way the body metabolizes folate, or folic acid, which is needed for cell growth. Supplementing with folate may help decrease the side effects of methotrexate, which include liver inflammation, mouth sores and nausea.
References
- Arthritis Foundation: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Vitamin B(6) Supplementation Improves Pro-inflammatory Responses in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.; Chang SC, et al.; September 2010
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Vitamin D Intake is Inversely Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis; Linda A. Merlino, et al.; January 2004
- "Annals of Rheumatic Diseases"; Putative Analgesic Activity of Repeated Oral Doses of Vitamin E in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Results of a Prospective Placebo Controlled Double Blind Trial.; S.E. Edmonds, et al; June 1997
- University of Washington Medicine: Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine: Methotrexate
