Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joint cartilage. They cannot be cured and usually cause those affected to have severe mobility restrictions. Since, according to the German Rheumatism League, joint cartilage that has already been damaged cannot renew itself, the body has to deal with the disease in the long term. Which vitamins can help with osteoarthritis?
What is osteoarthritis?
Loud gesundheitsinfomationen.deAccording to a portal from the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage layer on the joints “becomes thinner and rougher”. As the cartilage layer wears away over the years, the disease develops slowly. In advanced osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage layer can even be completely worn away in places, causing bone to rub against bone. There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, but sufficient exercise can maintain the mobility of the joints. Diet also plays an important role in osteoarthritis.
Vitamins for osteoarthritis: What helps the body?
The causes of osteoarthritis are varied; excess weight or one-sided strain on the joints can play a role. But diseases such as rheumatism also attack the joints. Since the body often has to struggle with inflammation in the joints with osteoarthritis, the need for nutrients also increases. These vitamins can support the body with osteoarthritis:
- “Vitamin C “Plays a particularly important role in osteoarthritis, because oxidation increases and excessive free radicals are formed,” writes nutrition and health scientist Sven-David Müller in his guide “The 50 best osteoarthritis killers” (Trias Verlag ). The vitamin has been proven to act as an antioxidant in the body, can bind free radicals in the body and prevent oxidative stress. Foods particularly high in vitamin C are paprika and broccoli.
- Vitamin E It also acts as an antioxidant and is therefore particularly important for osteoarthritis patients. In addition, according to Müller, it can prevent cell damage and stabilize cell walls. As early as 1986, the effectiveness of Vitamin E in active osteoarthritis – including osteoarthritis with accompanying inflammation – can be proven in a study. The results were published in the Journal of orthopedics and trauma surgery published. Patients given 400 IU of vitamin E over 6 weeks reported greater pain relief than the placebo group. Foods high in vitamin E are fats and oils, but also blueberries, sunflower seeds and almonds. As fat-soluble vitamin Vitamin E can be stored by the body. Anyone thinking about taking nutritional supplements should seek advice from their doctor.
- Vitamin D is the only vitamin the body needs can produce it yourself with the help of the sun. That's why, strictly speaking, it is a hormone and not a vitamin. Vitamin D is relevant both for maintaining healthy bones and for building muscle. Since osteoarthritis patients are often in danger of building up their muscles to stabilize their joints – especially in the knee, for example – the body should have a good one Vitamin D levels have available. “The icing on the cake is the vitamin’s function as an inflammation killer,” Müller continues.
Not just vitamins: other nutrients that are important for osteoarthritis
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Nutrition expert Sven-David Müller recommends consuming less arachidonic acid and more omega-3 fatty acids at the same time. The former are suspected of promoting inflammatory diseases, while omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect, according to health scientists.
- zinc Is one of the vital trace elements that the body must absorb through its diet. In osteoarthritis patients this can occur zinc-Need may be increased – especially if the joints are repeatedly inflamed. According to Müller, the daily requirement doubles quickly: from 10 to 15 mg to 20 to 30 mg. Foods high in zinc include pork liver, Emmental cheese and pine nuts.
- copper is important because, together with zinc, it can protect cells from free radicals. In the case of osteoarthritis, care should be taken to ensure an adequate supply of both minerals.
- calcium is the most important building material for bones. A good vitamin D value ensures that the mineral gets to the right place. “Strong bones protect the joints, which is why they play an important role in osteoarthritis,” writes Müller.
- selenium can help both prevent and treat acute osteoarthritis. Researcher at the University of North Carolina since 2005 in a study with 940 test subjects found that low selenium levels increase the risk of osteoarthritis and higher levels in the blood can reduce the risk by up to 20 percent. Participants with the highest selenium levels had a 40 percent lower risk of knee osteoarthritis compared to those with the lowest selenium levels.
- manganese – although it is in large quantities, similar to selenium – is toxic, it is needed for healthy bones. “The maintenance and development of cartilage and bones is not possible without the trace element, which makes manganese an osteoarthritis killer,” writes Müller in his guide. It is part of an enzyme that is required for cartilage growth.
Vitamins and minerals: What doesn't make sense with osteoarthritis?
Anyone thinking about taking dietary supplements should consult their family doctor or a metabolism specialist. Blood values can be used to determine how well the body is supplied with most vitamins and minerals. A higher dosage can then be given initially if necessary until the name can be adjusted to the maintenance dosage – the amount needed to maintain healthy levels of the relevant nutrient.
Müller advises against copper bracelets or copper chains, which some manufacturers claim to have a healing effect on osteoarthritis or other ailments. The jewelry cannot relieve inflammation. The effect of boron preparations on osteoarthritis has also not been proven. The portal medizin-transparent.atfrom the University for Continuing Education Krems, could only find one clinical study on the topic, in which several people took part and, on the other hand, the symptoms could not be alleviated.
