|  | Conditions Treatments | Rheumatoid Arthritis

Vitamins for Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease that attacks joints and surrounding muscles. Although it affects more than 6.5 million people in the United States, women between the ages of 30 and 60 are three times more likely than males to develop the disease. Causes of RA are unknown, but traditional treatment by anti-inflammatory or steroid drugs is usually lifelong. Although large clinical trials have been rare, there may be vitamins to help women with rheumatoid arthritis.

  1. Vitamin D

    • The latest research shows that vitamin D may outweigh all other vitamins in helping to prevent rheumatoid arthritis in women. The Iowa Women's Health Study, which followed about 30,000 women aged 55 to 69 over a period of 11 years, suggests that vitamin D especially helps to protect older women against the disease. Research showed that women whose diets were high in vitamin D had the lowest incidence of rheumatoid arthritis. According to researcher Kenneth G. Saag, MD, patients who ingested less than 200 international units of the vitamin daily had a 33 percent higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than women who consumed higher dosages.

    Vitamin C

    • While the 2008 Women's Health Study, conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital, contradicts previous studies involving vitamin C, many doctors still continue to recommend the vitamin for women with rheumatoid arthritis. The theory is that damaging free radicals congregate in rheumatic joints, causing inflammation. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that disarms free radicals, so it would follow that the vitamin may help to prevent that inflammation. Recommended dose is 600mg daily. Since vitamin C is absorbed by the body more efficiently through food than supplements, eat pineapple, broccoli, peppers, cantaloupe, strawberries, oranges, kiwi and pink grapefruit.

    Vitamin E

    • Vitamin E is in the same category as vitamin C, an antioxidant that may help to prevent joint inflammation, the operative word being "may." Food is not a good source of the vitamin, so although the recommended daily dose is 30 IU, for woman with rheumatoid arthritis, 400 IU is preferred.

    Beta-Carotene

    • Although recent research is inconsistent with newer studies, beta-carotene is thought to act similarly to vitamins C and E. Many women swear by beta-carotene, claiming it reduces their symptoms of pain and swelling. Recommended daily dose is 25,000 IU.

    Other Possibilities

    • Selenium may fight rheumatoid inflammation with daily doses of 200 to 300 micrograms. Zinc, along with copper, produces an anti-inflammation enzyme called superoxide dismutase. Found in inflamed joints, the enzyme neutralizes bad free radicals. Daily recommended doses are 30mg of zinc and 2mg of copper.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Related Articles