Antioxidants and Their Effect on OA
Although there isn’t definite evidence that antioxidants will work wonder for every OA patient, you have every reason to include more of them in your diet. Red and orange produce are great sources of vitamin A, vitamin C is found in a surprising array of colorful fruits and veggies, and you’ll get a big boost of vitamin E from nuts, avocados, and vegetable oils. As for vitamin K, look to dark, leafy vegetables for your daily dose.
Risks and Benefits of Supplementing for OA
As a general rule, food sources are always the best way to get your vitamins. In most cases, switching out unhealthy snacks for fresh produce and increasing your vegetable portions at every meal will bump up your levels considerably. However, some supplements can be helpful ways to boost your levels into a therapeutic range, as long as you use them properly.
Vitamins E and C can be taken as supplements, if your doctor recommends. However, you can get too much of a good thing: some studies suggest that too much vitamin C could eventually cause bone spurs, and too much vitamin E can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin A is tricky – it seems that too much or two little can increase your risk of osteoporosis.
The natural vitamins and other compounds found to be safe and helpful for arthritis include:
- Calcium
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Omega 3
- Vitamin D3
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- SAMe
- MSM
- Bromelain
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are natural components of the cartilage in your body, and these supplements are considered to be well-tolerated and safe to use. But you’ll probably come across plenty of supplements that make big claims about benefits, and that’s where you need to pay very close attention.
One point to keep in mind is that there is little to no official monitoring of the purity and strengths of many supplements. In turn, you take a risk each time to introduce a supplement, and some people undoubtedly learn that the hard way. Even “healthy” supplements can have side effects, which means you shouldn’t add any to your diet without first speaking with your doctor.
