Knee pain can strike individuals of all ages and activity levels. MayoClinic.com indicates cartilage damage, arthritis, gout infections, tendinitis and bursitis can all lead to knee pain. The treatment of your knee pain largely depends on the exact injury or condition you have. However, vitamins can help ease your knee pain. Many of these vitamins you can receive through a well-balanced diet. If you are concerned you are not getting enough vitamins, talk to your doctor about the possibility of supplementation.
B Vitamins
The vitamin-B complex can help to reduce knee pain. The eight vitamins that comprise the vitamin-B complex can help to reduce joint swelling and inflammation, according to "The Vitamin Book." The vitamin-B complex can also help your body to maintain healthy joints, muscles, skin and tissue -- all of which are important to the health of your knees. Vitamin B-3 is known to help increase the circulation of blood throughout your body. An adequate supply of blood can help increase the function of your knee. Vitamins B5 and B6 are known to help reduce tissue swelling -- this can be beneficial following injury or surgery of your knee. Vitamin B1 combined with vitamin B12 can help to enhance the effects of pain medication your doctor may have prescribed to relieve your knee pain, according to "The Vitamin Book." Talk to your doctor prior to attempting to enhance the effects of your pain medication. You can find vitamin B in foods such as egg, meat, fish, liver, fruit, milk and yogurt.
Vitamin C
Your knee is made up of a number of tissues, blood vessels, ligaments and cartilage. To help promote healthy joints, cartilage and blood vessels, vitamin C can be used. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant that can help to increase your body's immune system and help your body to better absorb nutrients. "The Vitamin Book" indicates vitamin C can help ease the pain of those suffering from arthritis of the knee. Vitamin C can be found in a number of fruits, including oranges, bananas, melons, kiwis and berries.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a vital role in helping your body to absorb and properly use calcium. Calcium is responsible for building strong, healthy bones -- this can help increase the strength of your knee, help you to recover from a fracture and help to prevent future fractures of your knee. "The Vitamin Book" indicates vitamin D can also help reduce knee inflammation. Inflammation in your knee can have a variety of causes -- including arthritis, injury and tendinitis. Vitamin D can be absorbed through sun exposure as well as received through certain foods, including milk, tuna, sardines and salmon.
Vitamin E
If your knee pain is caused by an overuse injury or a traumatic injury, vitamin E is important to you. Vitamin E helps to protect the cells of your body and help damaged tissues to repair themselves, according to Dr. Mary L. Gavin of KidsHealth.org. Vitamin E can also increase the flexibility of your knee joint and help to prevent inflammation -- caused by issues such as arthritis. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is found in a number of the foods you consume -- including nuts, leafy vegetables and whole grains.
References
- KidsHealth.org: Vitamins; Mary L. Gavin MD; January 2011
- "The Vitamin Book"; Harold Silverman, Joseph Romano and Gary Elmer; 1999
- Mayo Clinic: Knee Pain; Sept. 9, 2010
