Thursday, July 4, 2013

Rheumatoid Arthritis - The Role of Nutrition and Vitamin C


Rheumatoid Arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease that affects nearly 1 in 100 people. Joints can become painfully inflamed, swollen, deformed and destroyed by the disease. People diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis will be in lifelong treatment. Certain medications, diet, physical therapy, exercise and sometimes surgery can postpone the damaging effects of rheumatoid arthritis.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but they believe that it is the body's immune system attacking healthy tissues instead of damaged ones. This is why it is considered to be an autoimmune disorder. It can strike at any age and is slightly more common in women than in men. There is not a known prevention of RA, but research has shown that people who are active, have a healthy diet high in vitamin C, and who do not smoke are up to three times less likely to develop RA.

Nutrition plays several important roles in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin C in particular has received a lot of attention in research on treating RA. This disease seems to be triggered by infection. The immune system overreacts to the infection and starts attacking joints. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that calms and strengthens the immune system at the same time. It is believed that vitamin C, when kept at optimal levels, can control the onset of rheumatoid arthritis attacks.

Vitamin C is also a powerful tool for controlling inflammation. It specifically fights the tenascin-C molecules that get into joints and trigger the immune system to activate. Tenascin-C molecules are also thought to be responsible for sustaining inflammation. People who suffer from RA often have elevated levels of this molecule in their joints. Recent studies are focusing on controlling the molecular switch that activates the immune system and sends it into attack mode. Although there is no cure for RA at this time, researchers are optimistic about vitamin C's role in preventing and treating the disease.

Vitamin C plays a major role in collagen synthesis, which can help keep your joints healthy. Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium supplements also fight inflammation, increase blood flow to joints, and can even relieve painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Keeping your joints as healthy as possible is the first step in preventing and treating RA. One way to tell if your body is not producing enough collagen is to check your gums. This is the easiest place to check your connective tissue health. If they are red, swollen, or bleed when you floss or brush, then you may have low levels of vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium or magnesium. Proper levels of these vitamins and supplements support connective tissues, such as bones, joints and gums, all over your body.

It is important to take care when supplementing with vitamins and supplements. Before you buy vitamins, talk to your doctor about dosages that are right for you and your condition. Higher or lower than normal vitamin C levels can actually worsen symptoms in osteoarthritis patients, so you will need to be monitored by a physician if this is the case for you. When you buy vitamins, choose the best vitamin C that you can find to ensure proper absorption.

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