Chronic joint pain is caused by inflammation or infection of the joints, which causes limited movement, swelling, stiffness, and even severe pain. There are many remedies available to relieve pain and there are various nutritional supplements that are proven to reduce arthritis symptoms such as stiffness and joint pain. These remedies are effective in providing some arthritis symptom relief, especially when use in conjunction with other traditional treatments. Here are some of the best supplements and vitamins for arthritis.
Vitamins
Currently, several vitamins are found to help with arthritis, including the antioxidant vitamin A, C, E, as well as vitamin D and K. Although there’s no concrete evidence proving that these vitamins can improve the symptoms, eating a diet rich in these vitamins is good for the health. Vitamin K is essential for building cartilage structure while vitamins D and K build bone strength and density. Supplementing these nutrients can be particularly helpful for older adults especially if they’re deficient in them.
Fish Oil
Fish oil contains polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids which have effective anti-inflammatory properties. In 2017, research showed that omega-3 nutrients helped to reduce joint stiffness, swelling, and pain in rheumatoid arthritis. The supplements seem to be more effective against rheumatoid arthritis than for osteoarthritis.
Encouraging your loved ones to take fish oil can help them to reduce their arthritis symptoms and lessen the usage of pain relievers. In fact, for cases of mild arthritis, it is recommended to take supplements and vitamins instead, as pain relievers like ibuprofen can have certain side effects. Additionally, a sustained diet containing omega-3s can also reduce the risks of heart disease and dementia in the long term.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are common supplements used for arthritis and they form the components of cartilage, which cushions the joints. Studies have shown that Glucosamine and Chondroitin ameliorated arthritis symptoms such as function and pain. However, there are different opinions on which type of supplement is best. Some find Glucosamine Hydrochloride to be more effective yet others suggest Glucosamine Sulfate is actually better.
SAM-e
S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) is a natural compound in the body that has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving effects that can protect the cartilage. SAM-e is also more beneficial for people with depression as the supplement has a mild to moderate antidepressant effect.
If you do encourage your loved one to take this supplement, be patient as it might take a few weeks to see the positive effects.
Best Care at Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley
If your loved ones or you require assistance with some or all daily living activities, you can consider our personal care living option at Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley. Here, we offer our residents a customized lifestyle depending on their needs while allowing them to live their lives to the fullest. We also provide respite care if you are unable to care for your loved ones for a period of time. Short-term care is also for your loved ones who require added assistance after surgery or an illness.
Reach out to us today regarding eligibility for any of our programs.
