These nutrients support the body

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joint cartilage. It cannot be cured and usually causes those affected to have severe mobility restrictions. Since, according to the German Rheumatism League, joint cartilage that has already been damaged cannot renew itself, the body has to deal with the disease in the long term. Which Vitamins can help with osteoarthritis?

What is osteoarthritis?

Loud gesundheitsinfomationen.de, a portal from the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage layer on the joints “becomes thinner and rougher.” As the cartilage layer wears away over the years, the disease develops slowly. In advanced osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage layer can even be completely worn away in places, causing bone to rub against bone. There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, but sufficient exercise can maintain the mobility of the joints. Diet also plays an important role in osteoarthritis.

Vitamins for osteoarthritis: What helps the body?

The causes of osteoarthritis are varied; excess weight or one-sided strain on the joints can play a role. But diseases such as rheumatism also attack the joints. Since the body often has to struggle with inflammation in the joints with osteoarthritis, the need for nutrients also increases. These vitamins can support the body with osteoarthritis:

• “vitamin C plays within the framework of one arthrosis a particularly important role because this increases oxidation and excessive free radicals are formed,” writes nutrition and health scientist Sven David Müller in his counselor “The 50 best osteoarthritis killers” (Trias Verlag). The vitamin has been proven to act as an antioxidant in the body, can bind free radicals in the body and prevent oxidative stress. Foods particularly high in vitamin C include peppers and broccoli.
• Vitamin E It also acts as an antioxidant and is therefore particularly important for osteoarthritis patients. Plus it can be loud Müller Prevent cell damage and stabilize cell walls. As early as 1986, the effectiveness of vitamin E in an active arthrosis – so one arthrosis with accompanying inflammation – to be proven in a study. The results were published in the Journal of orthopedics and trauma surgery published. Patients receiving 400 IU for 6 weeks Vitamin E administered reported a reduction in pain significantly more frequently than the placebo group. Foods high in vitamin E include fats and oils, but also blueberries, sunflower seeds and almonds. As a fat-soluble vitamin can Vitamin E stored by the body. Anyone thinking about taking nutritional supplements should seek advice from their doctor.
• vitamin D is the only one vitamin, which the body can produce itself with the help of the sun. That’s why, strictly speaking, it is a hormone and not vitamin. Vitamin D is relevant for maintaining healthy bones as well as for building muscle. Since osteoarthritis patients are often advised to build up their muscles to stabilize their joints – especially in the knee, for example – the body should have a good level of vitamin D available. “The icing on the cake is the function of the vitamins as an inflammation killer,” writes Müller further.

Not just vitamins: other nutrients that are important for osteoarthritis

• Omega-3 fatty acids: The nutrition expert Sven David Müller recommends consuming less arachidonic acids and more omega-3 fatty acids at the same time. The former are suspected of being inflammatory diseases to promote, while omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect, according to the health scientist.
• zinc is one of the vital trace elements that the body must absorb through its diet. The zinc requirement may be increased in osteoarthritis patients – especially if the joints are repeatedly inflamed. The daily requirement doubles loudly Müller fast: from 10 to 15 mg to 20 to 30 mg. Foods high in zinc include pork liver, Emmental cheese and pine nuts.
• copper is important because, together with zinc, it can protect cells from free radicals. At arthrosis Care should therefore be taken to ensure an adequate supply of both minerals.
• calcium is the most important building material for the bones. A good vitamin D value ensures that the mineral gets to the right place. “Strong bones protect the joints, which is why they play a role arthrosis an important role,” writes Müller.
• selenium can be used both in the prevention and in the treatment of an acute arthrosis help. Scientist at the University of North Carolina have 2005 in a study with 940 test subjects found that low selenium levels increase the risk of arthrosis increase and higher levels in the blood that can reduce risk by up to 20 percent. Participants with the highest selenium levels had a 40 percent lower risk of knee osteoarthritis compared to those with the lowest selenium levels.
• manganese – although it is toxic in large quantities, similar to selenium, it is needed for healthy bones. “The preservation and construction of cartilage and bone is not possible without the trace element, which makes manganese an osteoarthritis killer,” writes Müller in his counselor. It is part of an enzyme that is required for cartilage growth.

Vitamins and minerals: What doesn’t make sense with osteoarthritis?

Anyone thinking about taking nutritional supplements should consult their family doctor or a metabolism specialist. Blood values ​​can be used to determine how well the body is supplied with most vitamins and minerals. A higher dosage can then be administered initially if necessary until the intake can be adjusted to the maintenance dosage – the amount needed to maintain healthy levels of the relevant nutrient.

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Müller advises against copper bracelets or copper chains, which some manufacturers claim to have a healing effect on osteoarthritis or other ailments. The jewelry cannot relieve inflammation. The effect of boron preparations on osteoarthritis has also not been proven. The portal medizin-transparent.atthe Krems University for Continuing Education, could only find one clinical study on the topic, where on the one hand too few people took part and on the other hand the symptoms could not be alleviated.