People with rheumatoid arthritis suffer from inflammation, pain and impaired function of the joints, including hands, wrists and fingers. Although the severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe, many people have periods where symptoms are mild followed by sudden flare-ups of inflammation and pain, whereas other people can experience constant symptoms. Certain trace minerals may provide relief from symptoms. Consult your doctor about trace minerals that can help with rheumatoid arthritis.
Trace Minerals in Synovial Fluid and Plasma
To determine what trace minerals may help patients with rheumatoid arthritis, scientists must discover which trace minerals are deficient. Research by scientists at Harran University in Sanliurfa, Turkey, and published in "Biological Trace Element Research" in August 2005 examined the concentrations of selenium, zinc, copper and iron in the synovial fluid and plasma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The scientists found selenium levels are significantly lower in both synovial fluid and plasma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy patients. The research demonstrated that there was no significant difference in levels of zinc between groups. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the results show that as synovial concentrations of selenium and copper increase, synovial concentrations of zinc and iron increase. The scientists conclude changes in immune cells called cytokines may influence concentrations of trace minerals. More research is needed to determine efficacy of trace mineral supplementation on reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Selenium
Although a deficiency of selenium was found to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, scientists wanted to test the hypothesis that increasing intake of selenium would reduce symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, scientists at the Free University of Brussels in Belgium in research published in the "Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology" in 2001 found that treatment with selenium did not show significant differences in clinical benefit in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy individuals, even though the results showed that both groups experienced a decrease in the number of swollen and painful joints. However, patients with rheumatoid arthritis had an enhancement in quality of life, including improved arm movements.
Manganese
Manganese is a trace element that assists the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase in fighting free radicals, substances that can damage your DNA and cell membranes, accelerate aging, cause cancer and increase inflammation. People with rheumatoid arthritis often have low levels of superoxide dismutase. Scientists theorize that manganese supplementation may increase superoxide dismutase levels which in turn can reduce inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Research thus far, including taking manganese with glucosamine and chondroitin, has mixed results with no clear conclusion.
Iron
People with rheumatoid arthritis can have concurrent anemia and may respond to iron supplements. Research by scientists at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow, India, and published in "Rheumatology International" in October 2006 found iron deficiency anemia is found in almost 50 percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and that as levels of hemoglobin deceases, severity of symptoms from rheumatoid arthritis increases. Hemoglobin contains iron and carries oxygen to your cells. The scientists also discovered iron supplementation may improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; Rheumatoid Arthritis; 2009
- "Biological Trace Element 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
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Manganese
- "Rheumatology International"; Anemia in Rheumatoid Arthritis: High Prevalence of Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Indian Patients; Sumeet Agrawal, et al.; October 2006
