Arthritis & Zinc

Arthritis is a joint disorder affecting nearly 50 million U.S. adults age 65 years or older, according to Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. As the nation's population ages, these number may increase to 67 million by 2030. Supplementation with complementary and alternative medicine such as zinc may reduce the symptoms associated with arthritis. Speak with your doctor before taking zinc supplements for the treatment of your arthritis.

Zinc Features

Zinc, an important trace mineral found in every cell of your body, is a building block for more than approximately 200 enzymes needed to repair joints, synthesize proteins and boost your immune system. Your body uses zinc to synthesize superoxide dismutase, an inflammation-fighting enzyme found in inflamed joints, according to Jonathan Wright, a doctor in Kent, Washington and an author of “Dr. Wright’s Guide to Healing with Nutrition.” Superoxide dismutase helps to neutralize free radicals -- molecules responsible for tissue damage in your body.

Research

Most of the clinical studies related to zinc effectiveness for arthritis were published in the 1970s and 1990s. Findings published in the September 1976 issue of “Lancet” show that people with rheumatoid arthritis are zinc deficient and that zinc supplementation at a dosage of 50 mg three times a day for three months may improve symptoms such as morning stiffness and joint swelling in rheumatoid arthritis patients. In contrast, a study published in 1982 in “Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases” did not find any beneficial effect of oral zinc in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with both arthritis and skin disease called psoriasis. An Italian study published in November 1989 issue of “Recenti Progressi in Medicina” found that people with psoriatic arthritis who took elemental zinc at a dosage of 120 mg per day for six months showed significant decrease in the number of swollen and tender joints, plasma copper levels and need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Researchers concluded that elemental zinc may be an effective and well-tolerated antirheumatic drug in psoriatic arthritis.

Considerations

The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that zinc dosage less than 40 mg per day is a safe amount to take over time. Higher than recommended dosage of zinc causes side effects such as headache, nausea and vomiting. Medications such as penicillamine, used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, may decrease the level of zinc in your blood. Consult your doctor before taking zinc along with penicillamine medication.