Joint Pain Vitamins

Sufferers of joint pain that stem from diseases and conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis can do a lot to relieve joint pain. In this post we’ll focus on vitamin deficiencies that could be making your joint pain worse.

Joint pain usually occurs when there’s an injury or chronic illness that damages the cartilage between joints. The joint wears away and becomes inflamed with pain ranging from mild to debilitating. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce pain for a few hours, but it’s merely a Band-Aid and with side effects that can range from headaches to liver disease.  Prescription drugs come with a long list of side effects that are ten times worse than anything you can buy off the shelves of your local drug store. So what’s the alternative to treating joint pain?

Joint Health Supplements

Vitamin D – A deficiency of this vitamin won’t cause arthritis or joint pain, but low levels of vitamin D can increase pain and flare-ups. You can find vitamin D in foods like salmon and eggs, but using a supplement is best. The recommended daily dosage is 1,000 to 5,000 IU.

When you have a vitamin D deficiency the body isn’t able to rebuild the cartilage in your joints when it wears away or breaks down. Supplementation of this vitamin can help you build cartilage faster and also decrease pain and inflammation.

Vitamin A – Naturally found in egg yolks, oily fish like salmon, and in carrots and other orange and yellow vegetables. This antioxidant helps to neutralize free radicals in the body that attack joint tissues and cause pain and inflammation. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin A is 10,000 IU.

Vitamin C – Another antioxidant that’s important for overall health, immune system, and can help reduce joint pain.  Naturally found in high concentrations in citrus fruits, it’s still wise to supplement with 1,000mg 1-5 times a day. For those with weakened immune systems due to a cold or flu, you’d want to take the higher dose, 1,000mg every couple of hours, since it’s quickly excreted from the body.

Vitamin E – A third antioxidant that’s needed to reduce inflammation, boost immune system, and for heart health. It’s found naturally in wheat germ, nuts, seeds and avocados, though it’s difficult to get the amount you need just from foods. Supplementing with 400IU daily can have you reaping all the benefits it has to offer.
 
Adding these supplements to your daily diet may not cure joint pain, but it should greatly lessen the severity of your symptoms, reduce inflammation, and prevent further progression of your illness or disease.