12 Best Supplements For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Presenting you medically curated guide on “best supplements for Rheumatoid Arthritis”!
It’s very unlikely that you will find a single drug that will treat your rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However! According to current evidence, it seems certain dietary supplements may assist.
The only certain way to prevent the symptoms of RA is via holistic care, which involves taking medication, eating healthily, exercising, and reducing stress. Still, some people require supplements that aid in this regard.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will often experience joint inflammation and discomfort. A disorder characterized by an immune response to the joints’ lining occurs when the immune system doesn’t function correctly (called the synovium). In about half of cases, a disorder known as ‘arthritis’ affects the hands, knees, or ankles, and these joints often exist on both sides of the body.
This does not just apply to rheumatoid arthritis, but it may occur in other areas of the body, such as the eyes, heart, and circulatory system, as well as the lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, seems to affect women more often than males, and the disease commonly appears around middle life. The likelihood of getting RA rises if someone in your family has the disease.
Symptoms OF RA
The joints of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis will not show obvious redness or swelling at the beginning, but they may have discomfort and sensitivity later on.
Symptoms that indicate RA:
- A six-week or longer period of joint discomfort or soreness.
- Stiffness in the morning that lasts for at least thirty minutes.
- It affects many joints.
- The first joints that fall prey to arthritis are smaller joints (wrist, specific joints in the hands and feet).
- There are joint problems on both sides of your body, yet they are all the same joints.
- Weakness and temperature are common among those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may wax and wane. A flare is a high level of inflammation and associated symptoms. Flares may last days or months.
Read: 10 Best Supplements To Prevent Dementia
What Supplements Can Help With Your RA?
When it comes to relieving your arthritis pain and inflammation, choosing the best supplement may be very challenging. Following is the list of 10 best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis that can really help you resolve this issue:
1. Nature Made Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial fatty acids that your body requires, the main component of fish oil. Arthritis patients who consume enough amounts of omega-3 fatty acids may benefit from less joint inflammation and discomfort. Herring, mackerel, salmon, and tuna are all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. No doubt, it is one of the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis.
Potential Bnenefits
Several studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects. In order to get a sufficient quantity of omega-3 fatty acids from your diet, you must consume fatty fish two or more days each week. However, supplementation may be beneficial.
Additionally, the omega-3 fatty acids, in particular EPA and DHA, which work to combat inflammation, are a factor in the product’s overall health benefits. People who use fish oil also discovered that they had reduced the need for NSAIDs to relieve pain.
Precautions
Many fish oil supplements contain unsafe levels of mercury, so you should consider taking a plant-based supplement instead. So, for a vegetarian or vegan diet, it may be better to use a plant-based omega-3 supplement instead.
In conclusion, you should see your doctor before increasing your consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, which may raise your risk of bleeding, particularly if you use a blood thinner such as warfarin.
Dosage
The Arthritis Foundation advises taking 2.6 grams of fish oil twice a day to alleviate symptoms. Although over 3 grams of fish oil per day may raise your chance of bleeding, this is a little risk in light of the benefits you get from consuming it. For the most part, women should have two servings of fish each week.
2. Nature’s Bounty Glucosamine Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two of the most often ingredients in arthritis-related supplement products. Glucosamine is arguably one of the most often effective supplements for arthritis, and for good reason because it is the primary structural component of your joints. Human cartilage naturally contains these chemicals.
In individuals with OA of the knee, glucosamine coupled with chondroitin seems to decrease knee pain, stiffness, and edema. Another study, on the other hand, suggests that the supplement has a neutral impact.
Precautions & Side Effects
Glucosamine supplements may cause certain adverse effects, such as:
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Dry or wet bowel movements
- Acid reflux
- More serious elevations in blood pressure, triglyceride levels, cholesterol, and glucose all often seen in diabetics.
Those who have glaucoma should not use glucosamine. Shrimp, crab, and other crustaceans are the source of glucosamine in this supplement, therefore anyone with an allergy to shellfish should avoid it.
Dosage
According to health authorities, the suggested dose of glucosamine is between 500 mg and 3 grams. Results may take a while to appear. It’s often a good idea to talk to your doctor before using any supplements for two to six months. Above all, if you experience no relief from arthritic symptoms, consider looking into alternative choices.
3. NatureWise Curcumin Turmeric
And here’s another often found household item you may discover in your kitchen. People use Turmeric in many cuisines as a root. Curcumin, which is well-known for its anti-inflammatory effects, is present in this extract. Hence, it is one of the natural and best turmeric supplements for rheumatoid arthritis.
Pros
- More than 4,000 years have passed since turmeric was first employed in Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal therapy. It contains curcumin as an active ingredient. It’s anti-inflammatory, which means it may help reduce RA swelling and tightness. As an added benefit, it may help to alleviate acid reflux, which may be a side effect of certain RA medicines.
- Turmeric seems to have a positive effect on joint pain and stiffness in individuals with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis when they take 500 mg twice daily. If you want to take a supplement instead of consuming turmeric every day, then an option is available.
Cons
- Curcumin seems to impede the body’s capacity to absorb iron, according to limited studies; so, if you have an iron shortage, you should discuss this with your doctor. As with fish oil, large dosages of turmeric may function as a blood thinner, so use caution if you are taking warfarin or another blood thinner medication. Also, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, gallbladder disease, and bleeding disorders, may make it unsafe to take supplements.
- While there is some truth to this statement, it is very unlikely that there is any chemical component in turmeric that functions as an ibuprofen-like or stronger medication.
- In a short clinical trial that used the curcumin product BCM-95, it was shown that patients with active RA reported greater reductions in joint pain and edema when compared to those who used diclofenac sodium.
Dosage & Usage
You may add turmeric to your diet in a variety of ways, including drinks, curries, and as a spice. The doses utilized in the trials were 500 mg twice a day for two weeks. NatureWise Curcumin Turmeric is usually a non-toxic and safe supplement to take with meals or as tea.
Just remember that results won’t come immediately; it will take at least three months.
4. RheumaRelief MultiVitamins
Vitamin D
Take a vitamin D supplement recommended by your doctor if you are experiencing arthritic discomfort or are at high risk for developing arthritis. (We prefer RheumaRelief MultiVitamins). If you have a vitamin D deficiency, a blood test may be performed to identify the cause.
Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both linked with vitamin D deficiency, as is the development of osteoarthritis (RA). Low vitamin D levels increase or worsen the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Other medical problems such as osteoporosis, muscular weakness, hip fractures, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease also attribute to vitamin D insufficiency.
Vitamin D supplements should only be used by healthy individuals without any medical conditions, such as renal illness, bone disease, some malignancies, or calcium problems.
In terms of well-conducted research, there are no conclusive findings that indicate that vitamin D supplementation helps to preserve the bones of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. However, in practice, rheumatologists may still prescribe that their patients take vitamin D. The increased risk of osteoporosis makes those with inflammatory arthritis more vulnerable to it. The illness itself, as well as inactivity, seems to be a contributing factor to bone loss.
Vitamin C
It is vital for anybody suffering from a chronic illness to consume vitamin C, which is a strong antioxidant and essential for immunological function. As with calcium, it helps RA patients decrease their higher risk of osteoporosis by mending and preserving healthy bones.
Vitamin B12
Other than these, the supplement also contains Vitamin B12 that proves to be one of the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Borage Oil
Gamma-linolenic acid is present in the seeds of Borago officinalis, commonly known as starflower (GLA). Inflammation is believed to be reduced by GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid that may be beneficial in the treatment of RA. Effective and good, it is one of the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis.
A clinical study conducted in 2014 found that consuming borage oil containing 1.8 grams of GLA improved the symptoms of RA. Some individuals were also able to decrease their usage of additional RA medicines as a result of their treatment.
Possible Side Effects
Borage oil supplements may produce unpleasant side effects such as gas pains, constipation, and mushy stools, among other things. Some goods include pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which may harm the liver. Nausea, burping, and bloating are all possible side effects of this medication. If you have any concerns about using the supplement, consult with your physician.
Dosage
One may benefit from using borage oil in capsule form if it helps to decrease joint pain and inflammation. The Arthritis Foundation advises daily consumption of 1,300 milligrams (mg) of the supplement.
6. Jarrow Formulas Quercetin
Flowers, fruits, and vegetables have a vibrant color attribute to this plant-based flavonoid. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities make quercetin a powerful treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
A 2013 research shows that quercetin may assist control inflammation responses and could have anti-inflammatory properties for rheumatoid arthritis. When quercetin doses were measured in a 2015 research, it was shown that quercetin decreased the levels of chemicals associated with inflammation. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis.
Dosage
The advantages of people with rheumatoid arthritis who took quercetin with azathioprine were seen when they took 1,500 mg of quercetin and 100 mg of azathioprine. But, consult your doctor before combining supplements with prescription medications. Despite the fact that quercetin has minimal adverse effects, it may interfere with the effectiveness of certain medicines.
7. Ginger Root Capsules
A popular plant used to cure anything from colds and digestive problems to migraines and high blood pressure, ginger is widely available because there are some similarities between it and ibuprofen in terms of anti-inflammatory properties. The supplement also stands among the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis that helps to cure rheumatoid arthritis permanently.
Early trials indicated that the therapy alleviated pain associated with knee osteoarthritis for those who took a specific extract four times per day for three months, as well as those who took the same dosage of ibuprofen three times per day for hip and knee OA.
Adverse Effects
It is possible that some medicines may react with ginger supplements.
Dosage
Two grams (g) three times a day, according to the Arthritis Foundation, is a safe and effective dosage.
8. Cat’s Claw Capsules
Cat’s claw grows naturally in the jungles of South America. Cat’s claw contains an anti-inflammatory, TNF inhibitor, and it suppresses tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Other compounds contained in the supplement may also be beneficial to the immune system. When compared to a placebo, a small study found that it reduced joint pain and swelling by more than 50 percent in participants. To avoid potentially harmful tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids, look for a brand that is free of them.
Side Effects and Precautions
There are some side effects that may include dizziness, vomiting, and headaches with the use of this supplement. As a result, People with these three signs should avoid the supplement:
- Autoimmune diseases except for rheumatoid arthritis
- Lower than average blood pressure
- Leukemia
It is important to keep in mind that Cat’s Claw may interfere with certain medicines or supplements. This supplement should not be used by women who are pregnant, for instance.
Dosage
A suggested dosage ranges from 250 to 350 mg per day for adults.
9. NOW Supplements, SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine)
This compound possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, making it an excellent pain reliever to count as one of the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis. It is possible that it helps promote cartilage development. It is also related to neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which influence how painful stimuli are perceived. Two separate trials have demonstrated that joint pain alleviation with it is just as efficient as NSAIDs, with fewer side effects and an increased duration of action.
Side Effects and Precautions
As far as we know, it’s safe for usage in pregnant women but People who suffer from bipolar illness, on the other hand, should avoid using this supplement.
Levodopa is not the only medicine or supplement that SAM-e may interact with (L-dopa). Other frequent adverse effects of SAM-e use include diarrhea and constipation.
Dosage
A standard dosage is about 400 to 1,600 milligrams (mg).
10. EGCG Green Tea Extract Pills
Drinking green tea has been practiced for generations, and it is a popular herbal treatment that is rich in antioxidants. It is historically used to assist digestion and improve cardiac health as a diuretic.
Firstly, Green tea seems to have an active ingredient that has been shown to decrease inflammation and edema in a 2015 research conducted on rats. A high concentration of catechins, a chemical having anti-rheumatic properties, may be found in green tea leaves.
Secondly, RA patients who consumed green tea for six months were the subject of a study conducted in 2016. At the conclusion of the moderate-intensity exercise program, participants also did an extended program that included walking on a treadmill for 45 to 60 minutes 3 times per week.
According to the findings, green tea and exercise were both helpful in reducing RA symptoms.
Drawbacks
Before introducing green tea into your diet, always seek medical advice. It is thought that green tea may be ineffective in conjunction with some medications.
Dosage
To get the most benefits, have 4 to 6 cups of green tea each day.
11. Cayenne Pepper Capsules
Medicinal usage of cayenne pepper goes back for many years. These days, it’s more often utilized to alleviate pain. The primary ingredient, capsaicin, inhibits a molecule that causes pain.
This plant is well-known for its use as a topical pain-relieving therapy. Capsaicin was shown to have an analgesic effect when concentrations were increased (to 8 percent). Several over-the-counter pain medications include less than 0.25% to 0.1% of THC, and they may also relieve pain. You may add it as one of the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis.
Dosage
Topical treatments for mild aches and pains include capsaicin. Moreover, to alleviate the pain caused by arthritis, it is recommended that arthritis sufferers use capsaicin creams three times a day.
As soon as it starts helping, it will take a few weeks to show its full impact. Anti-inflammatory diet recommendations include consuming cayenne peppers.
12. Pure Rosemary Essential Oil
Widely used as a culinary ingredient and scent in cosmetics, this Mediterranean plant has shown itself time and time again. Other users have said that Rosemary is particularly beneficial for providing relief from muscular discomfort and managing dyspepsia. Rosemary is high in antioxidants, which may aid the body fight inflammation.
After that, the results of a study conducted in 2005 compared the efficacy of a therapy that contained rosemary extract. In order to evaluate the treatment effectiveness, those with RA consumed 440 mg of the medication 3 times a day for four weeks.
Similarly, when investigating, pain experienced by test subjects decreased by 40 to 50 percent. Despite this, this was research involving many components, and no conclusions could be drawn about rosemary’s role. The supplement wins as one of the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis.
Dosage
If you want to use rosemary oil topically, you may give it a try. Prior to using rosemary as a supplement, however, you should consult with your doctor first.
Supplements That May Or May Not Work
Just as some supplements can help you treat your Rheumatoid arthritis, similarly, a few of these can exaggerate your condition. Here are some of the supplements that may or may not work for RA.
1. Ultra High Strength Boswellia Capsules
It is indigenous to India and Pakistan that the scrubby tree known as Boswellia serrata is cultivated. The plant has been used as a medicinal herb for quite some time.
Another common name for this resin is “Indian frankincense resin”. According to some, Boswellic acids hinder leukotrienes, which trigger inflammation in the body.
There is minimal scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of Boswellia for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. We have no human trials on which to base our conclusions.
As of yet, there have only been experiments in a laboratory with animals. However, a recent assessment of pertinent research concluded that the plant has potential in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
Dosage
You can have Boswellia in pill or capsule form. According to the Arthritis Foundation, one can take 300 to 400 mg three times each day but before you take this supplement, you should first consult with your doctor.
2. Swanson White Willow Bark
Many generations of people have used white willow bark to soothe inflammation. The species of willow trees is attributed to providing the natural source of aspirin.
As far as the ingredients in willow are concerned, it has been shown that salicin will decrease the formation of pain-inducing chemicals in neurons.
Willow bark outperformed chamomile and meadowsweet in decreasing inflammatory chemicals linked with rheumatoid arthritis in lab studies completed in 2012. In conclusion, now is the time to purchase.
Dosage
While aspirin may interfere with other medications, including anti-inflammatories and anticoagulants, willow bark can do the same. As a side effect, willow bark may induce gastrointestinal problems and anaphylactic shock. Willow bark should only be used under the supervision of a physician.
3. Thunder God Vine Root Extract
Is it capable of doing something?
In China, Japan, and Korea, the thunder god vine grows naturally. This plant’s root is used in the preparation of an extract that’s said to alleviate pain and inflammation.
Can it really do the job?
Thunder God Vine may help relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In research done in China in 2014, those who used the plant thunder god vine with methotrexate fared better than those who took methotrexate alone.
Dosage
The proper dosage of the Thunder God Vine is dangerous if not consumed appropriately. Discuss the dose with your doctor.
Side Effects
The usage of this plant may result in severe adverse effects, which include:
- diarrhea
- influenza-like illness of the upper respiratory tract
- cardiac issues
- nephrotoxic side effects
- dermatitis
4. Chamomile Extract
How does it work?
The effectiveness of chamomile tea for anti-inflammatory purposes and for calming effects has been widely acknowledged. In addition, Useful internally, chamomile has shown promise as a treatment for itchy or painful skin.
Potential Benefits
Additionally, it may also improve:
- irritation
- sleeplessness
- rheumatic discomfort
- digestive disorders
Is it effective?
Chamomile tea has only been studied in a laboratory setting. Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin are involved in inflammation, and laboratory research revealed that chamomile affects these proteins.
Both chemicals can cause RA inflammation. A 2013 laboratory research on chamomile and rheumatoid arthritis indicated that it had pain-relieving potential.
Dosage
Consume about one to two capsules each day to help maintain general health. The level of toxicity in chamomile is minimal. However, individuals who are sensitive to ragweed and chrysanthemums should avoid chamomile since it contains traces of ragweed.
Conclusion
As with other drugs, supplement dosages may vary depending on an individual’s needs. Most importantly, to ensure that you’re getting the appropriate supplement for your condition, be sure to consult with your doctor or pharmacist prior to beginning a new prescription. If a supplement is used in excessive amounts or is mixed with other supplements and medicines, severe health issues may occur. All the supplements that we discussed above are best to treat rheumatoid arthritis as most of them are organic. It is up to you, what you choose for yourself.
A word of caution: Supplements are not a magic pill that takes the place of an ongoing treatment plan. These pain-reducing measures may be in place for some time and offer just a little reduction in discomfort. Above all, combining a dietary anti-inflammatory regimen and exercise may help improve pain control.
