Vitamins play an important role in various functions, including helping your body to fight off infections. Osteomyelitis is a bone condition that may benefit from vitamin supplementation. Although no particular vitamin or mineral specifically treats bone infections, certain nutrients may help support your immune system and improve your overall health. Talk to your doctor before taking nutritional supplements, including vitamins, especially if you are taking medication.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is the medical term for a bone infection. This type of infection most commonly affects the long bones in your arms or legs, as well as foot bones and vertebral bones. Bacteria or fungi may cause the bone infection. Although this condition is rare in the United States, women, adults older than the age of 50 and children are most likely to develop osteomyelitis. Symptoms include fatigue, pain, swelling and fever. The infection may spread to the bone from other parts of the body or develop initially within the bone after surgery or an injury. While antibiotics and surgery are common medical treatments for osteomyelitis, taking vitamins may also help.
Nutrients
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends vitamins C, E and A as nutrients for people with osteomyelitis to help strengthen the immune system. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in collagen formation and assists your body in repairing tissues and healing wounds. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and plays a role in protecting essential fatty acids and vitamin A from oxidation. It also helps prevent your body tissues from breaking down. Vitamin A is also an antioxidant. Also known as beta-carotene and retinol, vitamin A helps boost the immune system and fights inflammatory conditions.
Supplementation
The recommended amount of vitamin C for osteomyelitis is 250 to 500 mg twice a day. The amount for vitamin E is 400 to 800 IU each day, while the vitamin A recommendation is 10,000 to 15,000 IU per day, although you shouldn't take vitamin A supplements if you are pregnant. A multivitamin may also help provide insurance against nutritional deficiencies and help supply any nutrients your diet lacks.
Food Sources
While supplements may help provide important nutrients, natural food sources are often the best way to supply your body with the vitamins you need. Citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes and cauliflower are good sources of vitamin C. Eggs, almonds, walnuts, tomato juice and spinach provide vitamin E, while chicken liver, milk, beef, dried apricots and cabbage supply your body with vitamin A.
