Could Upping Intake of B Vitamins Prevent Arthritis?
A lack of B vitamins, otherwise known as B-complex, is not a well known reason for rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, mainstream media channels completely dismiss the connection. For more than decades, though, researchers have noticed significantly lower levels (of up to 50%) of B vitamins, especially B5, in those suffering from degenerative joint diseases and arthritis. Stress is likely a contributor to these diseases as well, but primarily because prolonged stress puts the adrenaline glands into fight-or-flight mode, reducing our vitamin B stores.
Furthermore, sound nutrition, including the inclusion of plenty of B vitamins, has a known positive effect on those who suffer from arthritis. After all, rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease that can only be helped when someone’s immune system is supported with the nutrients the body needs.
Unfortunately, the pharmaceutical companies are interested in feeding arthritis patients higher and higher doses of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Celebrex. Taking these drugs can cause serious damage to the body – including suppressing the immune system! You can supplement your B5 intake with some simple foods, that don’t cause immunity suppression, and that can boost your overall energy levels in the process.
Here are a few great sources of vitamin B5:
- Crimini
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Grapefruit
- Bell peppers
- Asparagus
Read: 6 Foods and Herbs for Arthritis
And of course, there are numerous other dietary adjustments you can make to reduce the risk of arthritis even further. To start, tart cherries have been recognized as having the ‘highest anti-inflammatory’ content of any food‘, making them perfect for preventing and even reversing arthritis. One study from 2001 indicated that the compounds ‘anthocyanins’ in tart cherries were as effective as ibuprofen and naproxen (over-the-counter inflammation and pain medications) at suppressing enzymes associated with arthritis. Best of all, there are no side effects.
Other research points to
The researchers said, “Our observations that curcumin alone was able to alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in this study are quite encouraging, and these results provide an ideal springboard for investigating the potential of curcumin in other chronic diseases arising in the setting of dysregulated chronic inflammation.”