Vitamin D and other nutrients with rheumatoid arthritis

Vitamin D and other nutrients help with rheumatoid arthritis

Learn about four nutrients, vitamin D and vitamin E, that may help lessen symptoms and problems related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Diet plays a role in many chronic conditions. When you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), poor nutrition can make your symptoms worse. Getting enough of the proper vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can help relieve your symptoms and reduce your risk of complications.

Keep reading to learn more about the nutrients that can help you stay healthy with rheumatoid arthritis:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Folic acid (vitamin B9)
• Bromelain

Importance of Vitamin D with rheumatoid arthritis

Everyone needs vitamin D. It aids your body to captivate calcium and permits your bones to grow suitably and stay strong. If you don’t get adequate vitamin D, your bones can become soft and breakable. This can increase your danger of bone fractures, distortions, and other problems.

Vitamin D may have additional benefits for people with RA. RA is an autoimmune disease, and vitamin D plays an important part in the immune system. People with RA also have high levels of inflammation, and vitamin D helps reduce this.

Vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis medications

Some RA medications can increase your risk of vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to complications.

According to an older study from 2011, people who take oral glucocorticoids have an increased risk of 25(OH)D deficiency. They are twice as likely to be deficient in this form of vitamin D as the average person.

Glucocorticoids, also recognised as corticoids, are occasionally used to help treat RA.

Low levels of vitamin D and calcium are also common side effects of prednisone, a glucocorticoid that can be given orally or by injection. As a result, the use of prednisone for people with RA is becoming less common.

Sources of Vitamin D

There are numerous ways to upsurge your vitamin D intake.

The sun

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun help your body make its own vitamin D. However, exposure to too much UV radiation can cause skin cancer. Don’t expose your skin for a long time to the sun.

How much time you need to spend in the sun will depend on factors such as your skin tone and climate. Recommendations will vary.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure two or three times a week. They recommend that you focus on exposing your arms, legs, stomach, and back.

People with darker skin will need more sunlight to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D.

For example, the Western Australian Department of Health recommends 10 to 30 minutes of sun exposure per day on the face, arms, and hands for people with light skin. They recommend 20 to 90 minutes of sun exposure per day for people with dark skin. Sun exposure time varies depending on the season.

Studies such as a 2015 Norwegian study and a 2013 Indian study have concluded that midday is the best time to expose your skin to the sun.

Food

You can also get additional vitamin D by correcting your daily diet. This important vitamin is also found in a select number of foods, such as:

• Special kinds of marine fish, including salmon and mackerel
• Egg-yolk
• Cheese
• Beef liver

 

Some other foods naturally contain vitamin D, but some are fortified with it. For example, vitamin D is supplemented with many products of milk, cheese, and breakfast cereals.

Vegetarians in particular may need to look for stronger sources because mushrooms are the only plant-based food that naturally contains vitamin D.

Supplements with rheumatoid arthritis

People with rheumatoid arthritis need to have their vitamin D levels checked. If you can’t get enough vitamin D from sunlight and diet alone, your doctor may recommend taking a vitamin D supplement.

Vitamin E

It isn’t the only significant nutrient when you have rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin E deficiency is also relatively common in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Vitamin E is also a powerful antioxidant. According to a literature review, regular supplementation with vitamin E has several benefits for people with rheumatoid arthritis. These include:

• Better quality of life
• Decreased joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
• A healthy gastrointestinal tract

It’s a good idea to include foods rich in vitamin E in your diet, such as:

• nuts
• Seeds
• Leafy green vegetables
• Certain sorts of fish and shellfish, together with salmon and abalone

In some cases, your doctor may also suggest you take a vitamin E supplement.

Other nutrients

Other supplements may also help relieve joint pain and reduce the risk of complications from RA treatment.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo) is usually given RA medication. If this is part of your treatment regimen, you may need to take a folic acid (vitamin B9) supplement.

Methotrexate changes your body’s capability to absorb folate or folic acid. If you don’t use adequate of this nutrient, you may also develop anaemia or other health complications.

Bromelain

Your doctor may encourage you to take bromelain. This compound is made from a cluster of enzymes resulting from pineapple. A 2020 study suggests that it may have anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties.

Talk to your doctor

A healthy diet alone won’t cure your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, but eating a nutritious diet can help you stay as healthy as possible. In some cases, it can also reduce the common symptoms of this painful condition and reduce your risk of complications from RA medications.

Some vitamins, minerals, and other supplements can interrelate with certain RA medicines. Always consult with your doctor before using a new supplement in your routine. You can understand the potential benefits and risks of taking it. They can also help you to determine how much you should take.