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In the United States, 23% of all adults — over 54 million people — suffer from some form of arthritis which is the chronic inflammation of the joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis with different causes and treatment methods. The two most common types are osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage, a connective tissue that acts as a cushion between the bones, breaks down, causing swelling, joint pain, and other joint problems and rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory arthritis that is an autoimmune disease caused when body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. In total osteoarthritis affects approximately 27 million Americans and rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 1.5 million people in the United States.
With unfortunate symptoms, such as chronic inflammation, joint pain, morning stiffness, and swelling, arthritis can severely decrease a person’s quality of life. It is no surprise, then, that people suffering from arthritis seek out medical help to help reduce the symptoms associated with the conditions. Unfortunately, many of the drugs used to treat arthritis symptoms have great short-comings. The class of drugs called analgesics, such as acetaminophen, serve only to reduce arthritis pain but do not help reduce inflammation, while the class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help with pain relief and reducing inflammation but can have serious negative side effects when taken in high doses or used regularly for long periods of time (of which kidney and liver damage and increased risk of heart attack are a few).
For these reasons, it is important that people who suffer from arthritis have other options when it comes to treating improving their condition and improving their quality of life. Luckily, there are many natural remedies, vitamins, and supplements for arthritis on the market, some with anti-inflammatory properties, others that help with pain management, and others with benefits for overall joint and bone health. Of course, choosing the right vitamins for arthritis is a tricky business since it can be difficult sifting through all the various sources of information available to us these days. That’s where we come in!
This article is your one-stop shop when it comes to getting all the information you need about the best dietary supplements to help with arthritis. In no time, you can start to see improvements in your everyday life by integrating some of these great vitamins into your arthritis treatment plan.
Our List of the Best Vitamins and Supplements for Arthritis
1. Fish Oils (Omega-3 fatty acids)
The primary components of fish oil are omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The Omega-3s are essential fats that the body needs but cannot produce by itself. The health benefits of Omega-3s are wide-ranging, with benefits ranging from helping with mental disorders like anxiety and depression to improving complexion and aiding in overall skin health. Most importantly for our purposes, the omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, are one of the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis and can also have great benefits in treating other forms of arthritis like osteoarthritis.
The reason that the omega-3s are considered great options for an arthritis treatment plan is that these fatty acids have great anti-inflammatory properties. This is because, when ingested, omega-3s block inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins and are converted by the body into powerful anti-inflammatory chemicals called resolvins.
The efficacy of omega-3s in treating symptoms of arthritis is well documented throughout a number of studies. For example, a 2013 study found that taking fish oil supplements resulted in greater remission rates of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms than those in the control group, and another notable study found that taking fish oil could reduce morning joint stiffness and decrease the number of painful or tender joints. These findings were corroborated by a meta-analysis published in the medical journal, Pain, which found that the reduction in joint stiffness and tenderness brought about by fish oil supplementation reduced or eliminated the need for NSAID use.
Given that fish oil has been shown to be such a great option for managing the symptoms of arthritis, people who suffer from these inflammatory conditions will want to ensure that they are getting enough of these fatty acids. While you can get much of your omega-3s by integrating fish and some nuts and seeds, such as chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds, into your diet, you will likely need to take fish oil supplements to ensure that you are getting enough for the optimal benefits. For these purposes, medical professionals from the Arthritis Foundation recommend taking 2.6 grams of fish oil twice per day.
2. SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine)
SAM-e is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that, as a dietary supplement, has become a common treatment for a wide range of symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA).
SAM-e is well known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and its function as an analgesic for people suffering from OA with benefits that can be felt in as little as a week to a month of regular supplementation. According to a number of studies conducted by reputable institutions, such as the University of California Irvine, taking SAM-e as a dietary supplement can treat joint pain, stiffness and joint swelling, improve mobility, rebuild connective tissue (cartilage), and ease symptoms from a wide range of conditions in addition to OA, including fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendinitis, chronic low back pain, and even depression.
When taking SAM-e as a supplement, it is important to know that it is most effective when combined with a number of other vitamins. SAM-e works closely with vitamins B-12, B-6, and folate, so it is important to get enough of the B vitamins to get the optimal results. One great way to do this is to take Tropical Oasis’ Premium Liquid B Complex to get all of your B vitamins in one delicious formula.
3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because it is created by our bodies when the sun comes into contact with our skin. Vitamin D is essential for so many of our body’s functions including supporting the immune system, brain, and nervous system health, regulating insulin levels and supporting diabetes management, supporting lung function and cardiovascular health, and influencing the expression of genes involved in cancer development. On top of all of that, vitamin D plays key roles in a number of areas pertaining to arthritis.
Vitamin D helps our bodies use calcium effectively to promote strong bones and teeth. Additionally, vitamin D helps our bodies properly manage inflammation, so those who have a vitamin D deficiency are at a much higher risk of developing or worsening inflammatory conditions like arthritis, not to mention the higher risks of depression, fatigue, and osteoporosis.
Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is far more widespread than might be expected from a vitamin produced by our own bodies. With our busy lives, people simply do not spend enough time in the sun. Now, over half of the world’s population has a vitamin D deficiency. To prevent the development or worsening of arthritis, it is essential that you get enough of this important vitamin either through increased sunlight exposure or through readily available vitamin D supplements and multivitamins.
4. Curcumin
Like fish oil supplements and SAM-e, curcumin is one of those supplements that is almost synonymous with an arthritis treatment plan. Curcumin is one of the primary active ingredients in turmeric. This chemical is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce joint pain and swelling by blocking inflammatory cytokines and enzymes. In particular, curcumin has been shown to be one of the best supplements for osteoarthritis, but it can also be highly beneficial for treating inflammation associated with a range of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain cancers.
Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties have been well documented through a range of studies including a 2010 clinical trial which found that a turmeric supplement made up of 75% curcumin combined with phosphatidylcholine provided long-term improvement in knee pain and function in 100 patients with OA and a 2012 study which showed that curcumin reduced joint pain and swelling in patients with active RA better than the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac.
If you are looking to integrate curcumin into your arthritis treatment plan, you should keep in mind that curcumin by itself does not easily absorb into the bloodstream. However, when it is taken in conjunction with piperine, an ingredient found in black pepper, the absorption rate of curcumin is raised by as much as 2000%. Given that most diets do not contain a sufficient amount of turmeric or piperine for arthritis treatment, you will want to look to trustworthy supplements from top brands, such as our incredible Liquid Turmeric Curcumin Complex, to get the highest quality ingredients, the best absorption rates on the market, and therefore, the optimal effects for your arthritis.
5. Green Tea
Green Tea is a favorite pick me up beverage for people all across the world, but it turns out that this soothing drink is more than just a tea: it is also a medicine!
This news isn’t completely new. For a long time, Green Tea has been considered a natural remedy in a number of cultures and this wide-spread beverage has not passed unnoticed by medical professionals in the Western world. For a while, it has been known that people who live in regions that consume more green tea have lower-rates of inflammatory conditions, and recent research has confirmed that green tea has some powerful anti-inflammatory properties, the ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory chemicals, and qualities that help slow cartilage degradation when taken in high dosages.
For those who wish to integrate green tea into their arthritis treatment plan, you will have to consume a lot of green tea. Doctors recommend that you drink three to four cups a day for the optimal results. Alternatively, there are a number of green tea extract supplements, and if you choose this method, doctors recommend that you take roughly 300-400 mg of green tea extract on a daily basis.
6. Glucosamine
Glucosamine, which comes in the forms of glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine, is a natural component found in cartilage. One of glucosamine’s main roles in the body is to support the healthy development of connective tissues, and in particular, promote the development of articular cartilage.
When taken as a supplement, glucosamine is one of the best treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis available, and it’s got science on its side. Evidence from multiple studies shows that daily supplementation of glucosamine may offer powerful long-term treatment for osteoarthritis by preventing the break down of cartilage by up to 28%, promoting the maintenance of joint space, and contributing to the overall slowing of the disease’s progression, while other studies show a similar decrease in the markers for rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, glucosamine has powerful anti-inflammatory properties with multiple studies linking glucosamine supplements to a significant decrease in the inflammatory markers CRP and PGE.
7. Chrondroitin Sulfate
Like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate is a component of human connective tissues found in cartilage and bones which plays a role in the production and maintenance of these tissues which break down in people suffering from osteoarthritis. Often taken in conjunction with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate reduces pain and inflammation in the joints, improves joint function, and likely slows the progression of osteoarthritis.
Claims in favor of taking chondroitin sulfate supplements in conjunction with glucosamine have been backed by a number of studies, including one major study involving 1,600 participants with knee osteoarthritis that found that participants with moderate to severe arthritis experienced significant pain relief from the joint supplementation of these two ingredients and another study which found that over half of the participants with OA experienced a 20 percent improvement of knee pain when taking chondroitin sulfate.
8. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Another ingredient that is often paired with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in discussions of natural remedies for joint health and arthritis treatment is MSM. MSM is a sulfur-containing compound found naturally in plants, animals, and humans which has recently become popularized for its wide range of benefits.
Firstly, MSM is a great way to treat the joint pain that comes f the degradation of cartilage associated with OA. Numerous studies point to the fact that MSM reduces inhibits the breakdown of cartilage, providing a signification reduction to joint paint and an improvement in people’s quality of life. Secondly, MSM is known for its great anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, MSM inhibits the production of NF-kB, a protein complex involved in the body’s natural inflammatory response, and reduces inflammatory molecules, such as TNF-a and IL-6. MSM also indirectly reduces inflammation by boosting the body’s levels of glutathione, an antioxidant with its own range of anti-inflammatory properties.
Finally, MSM has great benefits for increasing the quality of life of people who suffer from arthritis by making it easier for them to engage in healthy activities like working out. Although regular exercise is one of the healthiest things that a person can do, people who suffer from joint pain associated with arthritis will find this activity especially trying since exercise can cause muscle damage and increased levels of oxidative stress. Soreness and stiffness of the joints following intense exercise can be a lot to deal with, even for people who do not suffer from inflammatory conditions like arthritis. But for people with arthritis, the additional pain following exercise can be too much. MSM can be a solution to this since it naturally speeds up muscle recovery after exercise by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
9. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a clear gooey substance naturally produces by the body. Hyaluronic acid is most well known for its beauty and anti-aging benefits, such as promoting healthier skin and reducing wrinkles, but this substance also happens to be an incredible way to deal with many of the symptoms associated with arthritis.
Hyaluronic acid’s main function is to retain water in your tissues to keep them well lubricated. When your joints are properly lubricated, your bones are less likely to grind against each other, creating pain and wear and tear. For this reason, hyaluronic acid has been shown to significantly reduce joint pain in individuals with osteoarthritis whose bones are more prone to painful grinding due to the degradation of the cartilage that keeps them separate and allows for smooth mobility. On top of its benefits for pain management, Hyaluronic acid is important for slowing the degradation of cartilage in the first place since properly lubricated joints will not put as much stress on the connective tissues.
10. Tropical Oasis’ Joint Complete Premium Liquid Supplement
Putting together an arthritis treatment plan can be difficult, but sometimes you will stumble upon a product that makes your life easier and improves your quality of life in one fell swoop. For many Americans dealing with arthritis, Tropical Oasis’ Joint Complete Premium Liquid Supplement is just that product.
In one tasty liquid formula, you will find four of the best supplements mentioned above: glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, and hyaluronic acid. These four powerful ingredients have been shown to work best in conjunction, which is why we have combined them for optimal results and convenience.
Unlike pill form vitamins which often have a poor absorption rate of as little as 15 to 20 percent, our liquid formula has a monumental 96 percent max absorption rate, meaning that you will actually reap the benefits of what you put in your body instead of what amounts to little more than what you would absorb from a placebo with many pill form supplements.
Young looking skin? Less achy joints? When you integrate our liquid joint supplement into your arthritis treatment plan, you might just feel like your body has gone back in time.
Moving Forward with an Arthritis Treatment Plan
Arthritis in its many forms is a serious detriment to many of the 57 million Americans who deal with this condition on an everyday basis. Stiffness, swelling, and joint pain can get in the way of many of life’s most rewarding activities. Putting together a great treatment plan is necessary for those who want to relieve many of these conditions’ symptoms and get started on their way to improving their quality of life. By integrating the vitamins and supplements for arthritis that we have enumerated above, many people have already seen great strides in their arthritis treatment. Now that this information is yours, you can too!