In this article we will be discussing a very common question: vitamins for bone pain.
Glucosamine
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SOURCES:
Arthritis Foundation: “Supplement and Herb Guide for Arthritis Symptoms,” “10 Supplements for Arthritis.”
Keck Medicine of USC: “Can Vitamin D Help Relieve Your Rheumatoid Arthritis?”
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Marine and Botanical Oils: An 18-Month, Randomized, and Double-Blind Trial.”
Mayo Clinic: “SAMe.”
Mount Sinai: “Cat’s Claw.”
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: “Thunder God Vine.”
Dietary Supplements: A Framework for Evaluating Safety: “Prototype Focused Monograph: Review of Liver-Related Risks for Chaparral.”
Medline Plus: “Arnica.”
Journal of General Internal Medicine: “Probably Gastrointestinal Toxicity of Kombucha Tea.
Why Do We Need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps regulate the amount of calcium in the body.
A deficiency of vitamin D causes bones to soften and become weak. Vitamin D can also help prevent osteoporosis, which is another condition that weakens bones. Typical symptoms include: fatigue
joint pain
muscle pain and weakness
bone pain
respiratory issues
neurological concerns including numbness
low mood, specifically seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
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It also helps prevent osteoporosis (loss of bone density) and fractures, which are higher risks among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those taking corticosteroids. How much: Experts recommend 1,200 mg a day for healthy adults, but people with inflammatory arthritis may need more – up to 1,500 mg for men and postmenopausal women. Interactions: Aluminum-containing antacids, antibiotics, anti-convulsants, bone drugs, corticosteroids, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, laxatives and multivitamins containing iron, magnesium and zinc.
Research note: Dozens of studies have found that calcium supplements with or without vitamin D improve bone health in both men and women.