| Arthritis is a complex disorder that comprises more | | | | mobility and increasing blood flow. Note that Vitamin |
| than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at | | | | B3 is NOT advised for persons with high blood |
| any stage of life. Two of the most common forms | | | | pressure, gout or sliver disorders. |
| are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These two | | | | Vitamin B6 - Another B that reduces tissue swelling. |
| forms have very different causes, risk factors, and | | | | B-6 shrinks the synovial membranes that line the |
| effects on the body. The most common symptom in | | | | weight-bearing surfaces of the joints. It thus helps to |
| both is persistent joint pain. The joint pain of arthritis | | | | control pain and to restore mobility in the elbows, |
| can appear as hip pain, knee pain, hand pain, or wrist | | | | shoulders, knees and other joints. |
| pain, as well as joint pain in other areas of the body. | | | | Vitamin B12 - This vitamin aids in multiple functions. It |
| For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot | | | | helps with cell formation, digestion, myelin production, |
| be avoided as the body ages. Joints naturally | | | | nerve protection. |
| degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can be | | | | Vitamin C - This vitamin acts as an anti-inflammatory, |
| managed through a combination of vitamins, | | | | relieving pain, and rids the body of free radicals. In |
| medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, | | | | addition to reducing inflammation, vitamin C also helps |
| nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery. Arthritis is a | | | | form collagen, the protein "glue" that holds cells |
| chronic disease that will be with you for a long time | | | | together. Collagen is especially important in connective |
| and possibly for the rest of your life. Your | | | | tissue to insure healthy ligaments, cartilage, tendons |
| treatments will probably change over time and | | | | and the joints themselves. |
| medication may be adjusted. Having a positive mental | | | | Vitamin E - This is a strong antioxidant that protects |
| outlook and the support of family and friends will help | | | | joints from free radicals while increases joint flexibility. |
| you live with arthritis and be able to continue to | | | | Vitamin K - This vitamin assists with mineral deposit |
| perform your daily activities. | | | | into the bone matrix. |
| Before going any further, it is important that you | | | | Selenium and Zinc- The antioxidant nutrients such as |
| remember to discuss any and all vitamins and | | | | selenium and zinc might also be effective because of |
| supplements with your doctor before adding anything | | | | their ability to stop free radical damage to joint linings |
| to your diet. Though it is not common, some vitamins | | | | that in turn causes the accumulation of fluids, swelling |
| and supplements can have adverse reactions with | | | | and associated pain. |
| medications you may already be taking. Do not stop | | | | Chondroitin - the key structural component in |
| taking any prescribed medications without first talking | | | | cartilage and plays an important role in the |
| to your doctor. | | | | maintenance of joint cartilage. |
| As an alternative to getting your RDA through diet, | | | | These guidelines will help you evaluate supplements |
| many people now take vitamin supplements. The | | | | to relieve arthritis symptoms. If used under the |
| following list of vitamins are known to be especially | | | | guidance of your physician, you may find a dietary |
| beneficial to arthritis sufferers: | | | | supplement to compliment your current arthritis |
| Vitamin B5 - When grouped together B vitamins | | | | therapy regimen. You just need the right information |
| work at their peak, B5 specifically being good for | | | | to help you separate potentially useful supplements |
| reducing swelling. | | | | from the rest. |
| Vitamin B3 - This vitamin reduces tissue swelling and | | | | Copyright 2006 PillFreeVitamins. |
| dilates small arteries, improved grip strength and joint | | | | |