Vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a wide range on health conditions, including rheumatic diseases. Three European studies looked into the relationship between rheumatism and vitamin D levels as well as the effect of vitamin D supplementation.

Study  1:

An Italian study followed up 1191 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that vitamin D levels in the blood were lower in these patients compared to the normal levels of at least 50 nmol/L . Furthermore,  supplementation does not always help. Only 40% of these patients who are take vitamin D daily supplementation of 800IU or more reach the normal values. The vitamin D levels in the blood in 60% of patients are still below normal. Measures of disease activity using questionnaires show that low vitamin D levels are correlated to increased disability, decreased  mobility, and more swollen joints.

According to  Dr. L. Idolazzi of the Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Italy:

“We have seen in studies that vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with a range of rheumatic diseases, and our results have confirmed this using several clinically accepted measures of disease activity. What we need to see now is a range of long term studies, which examine the clinical response of patients to vitamin D supplementation.”

Study 2:

In another Italian study, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory autoimmune diseases was investigated. In this group of 43 patients, only 29% achieved normal vitamin D levels following supplementation.

Study 3:

A third study conducted in the UK involved 90 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis or unexplained muscle pain. These patients, too, had below than normal levels of vitamin D.

About vitamin D:

Vitamin D is also called the sunshine vitamin as it can only be synthesized by the body when exposed to sunlight. Unfortunately, vitamin D is not available in sufficient amounts in the food that we eat. Although vitamin D is available through sun exposure, the risk for skin cancer than the sun rays bring has led many health experts to discourage this practice.

In recent years, there has been a big debate about the necessity of vitamin D supplementation. In many countries, including the US, milk is supplemented with vitamin D. In addition, doctors often recommend vitamin D supplementation to their patients, especially little babies who are being breastfed. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine vitamin D supplementation for children and updated its guidelines on Vitamin D intake last 2008. The new guidelines increased the recommended dose from 200 IU to 400 IU per day.

Sun Exposure and Arthritis

We’ve always been told to lessen our exposure to the sun in order to lower our risk of developing skin cancer.

However, according to The Arthritic Association, avoiding the sun totally can lead to arthritis.

That makes sense became sunshine is necessary for the body to produce Vitamin D. Vitamin D is then necessary for the absorption of calcium for general bone health.

Which reminds me to take my calcium supplements and spend sometime in the sun each morning! It’s summer around here and most days are sunshiny.

The national arthritis charity warns that sunshine is crucial for the body to produce vitamin D which is required to ward off degenerative conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

Earlier this year, James E Dowd, an American rheumatologist, published details of his use of vitamin D in treating arthritic patients. However, The Arthritic Association states that supplementation alone is not the answer.

“The body needs sunshine in order to synthesise the vitamin D required for optimum health,” explains The Arthritic Association’s John Wedlake-Griffiths. “Although you could take a vitamin D supplement, it’s easy to overdose, and that can be counter-productive. So moderate exposure to sunlight is better – for example, earlier or later in the day, for short periods of time.”

I really think that it won’t be difficult to get enough exposure to the sun, enough against arthritis and not too much as to risk skin cancer. Morning persons won’t have a problem at all as it is best to catch the sun early in the morning.

Of course, we have to remember the supplementation of Vitamin D-Calcium combo will always be not enough. We gotta drag ourselves out of bed early and catch some some good sunlight. Yeah, right. I am definitely speaking for myself. Ha ha!

Source: Nursing in Practice

The Arthritis Association, is by the way UK’s organization promoting natural arthritis treatment and remedies.

The Arthritic Association aims to relieve the suffering and pain of arthritis by natural methods.

Our Home Treatment Programme, developed by Charles de Coti-Marsh, is a natural, drug free way to treat arthritis, based on a 3-stage recovery process.

The Programme offers an easy to follow holistic approach to managing your own health. A lessening of arthritic symptoms can be realistically achieved within 4 months.

Believed to be an effective natural treatment for most forms of arthritis, the Home Treatment is essentially a self-care programme: the patient’s motivation, pro-activity and willingness to investigate every aspect of the treatment are crucial.

Visit The Arthritic Association for more information on natural arthritis treatments.

Vitamin D Deficiency, Worsens Osteoarthritis of the Knee

According to a new study from Tufts New England Medical Center, low vitamin D levels may cause greater knee pain and difficulty walking in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage breakdown in the knee joint. Factors that increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis include being overweight, age, injury or stress to the joints, and family history can increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis.

In recent studies, it has already been found that vitamin D influences both musculoskeletal and neuromuscular function – so that this new study took a closer look on this in two-year trial of vitamin D supplements on knee osteoarthritis progression.

The researchers tested whether vitamin D deficiency at study entry is associated with pain and physical function in OA patients.

Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus needed for bone mineralization, growth and repair.

Sources of vitamin D are available to a lesser extent from dietary sources typically found in fortified margarine, oily fish, liver, fortified breakfast cereals and dairy products. Sun exposure helps vitamin D to become active.

Absorption of vitamin D from food and conversion of it to the active form is less efficient in elderly persons. For this reason, vitamin D supplements of 400-800 and calcium doses of 1,200 to 1,500 mg a day are recommended to prevent osteoporosis.

The results of this study suggest that Vitamin D supplements may also help in arthritis treatment.

Around here, (except on gloomy, rainy days like the past week) we have ample amount of healthy sunlight on a regular basis. But then in places that are deprived of warm sunlight especially at this time of year, there are always dietary and supplemental sources of Vitamin D.

Of the 100 participants, 47 percent were vitamin D deficient, with vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml. This deficiency contributed to increased pain and difficulty walking among the participants. However, the deficiency did not affect time need to stand and sit repeatedly.

According to Tim McAlindon, MD, MPH; associate professor of medicine, division of rheumatology, Tufts New England Medical Center; and an investigator in the study:

“These preliminary results suggest that, among people with knee osteoarthritis, having a low vitamin D level is associated with more knee pan and greater functional limitation.

Future results from this ongoing randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of vitamin D will help determine whether vitamin D is an effective disease-modifying intervention for knee osteoarthritis.”

Yes, we do need Vitamin D – if you haven’t realized it yet. 😉

Find more details from Science Daily.