supplements

[dillydally1]

hi I was wondering if anyone takes supplements for their rheumatoid arthritis.

eg tumeric, rosehip, glucosamine or any others. x

[Simba1992]

The ongoing inflammation in RA depleats your body of many very important vitamines, minerals and aminoacids. The following are important to take: Vit. A,B2,B5,B6,B12,C,D3,E,K2. Minerals: Zinc,Magnesium,Selenium.Cod Liver oil, Astaxanthine, systemic enzymes,NAC, Glutathione. Black seed oil and Boron have also helped many. If you are anemic Liquid iron is the best to take. It's natural and does not affect the stomach in any way. Quite a list!😊

[nomoreheels in reply to Simba1992]

Tell my h that liquid iron doesn't upset the stomach & he'll disagree lol. But we're all different & in his case the only thing that helped his anaemia were blood transfusions.

[Simba1992 in reply to nomoreheels]

Spatone liquide iron, 100% natural. Gentele to your stomach. Recommended by functional medicine doctors. Have tried it and it's really excellent.😊

[nomoreheels in reply to Simba1992]

His GP didn't prescribed that. He had ferrous sulphate tablets & folic acid. When they didn't work he then tried Galfur syrup (ferrous fumarate), ended up having a couple of red blood cell transfusions & a magnesium sulfate infusion in the primary care unit at hospital.

[nomoreheels]

Just Omega 3 fish oil & I'm prescribed AdCal-D3 & folic acid, both my Rheumy & GP ok'd these, nothing more, told not to waste my money as I've been through my diet with my Rheumy & she's happy with what I eat. My GP is also a personal friend so knows the foods I eat & is very science-based, not a believer in spending on stuff we can get through diet as long as it's balanced & must say I agree. When tested all's been well & I do try hard through diet to get all I need but it's so personal, if you feel you're depleted in anything always ask to be tested, no point putting things in your body you don't need, it'll object if you do.

[Simba1992 in reply to nomoreheels]

Unfortunately Rheuhmys are far from experts in body biochemistry and have seldom have time to follow research in this field. Inflammation is very stressful for the body and results often in a chronic imbalance that feeds the pathological process. I have been through thorough blood test and have seen what supplements are needed in my case. True people are different but the knowledge of how inflammation effects the body is quite useful when wanting to give the best possible support.Diet is important but but seldom repairs a depleated situation where clinical doses are needed. It is unfortunate that Rheumatologists take the above mentioned standpoint without scientific evidence.

[nomoreheels in reply to Simba1992]

My reply was to dillydally's question but of course as I said if it's felt that you're deficient in anything it's best to ask to be tested, that way we find out what we're lacking in & what may need to be supplemented.

I don't think we can expect them to experts in biochemistry, though they are experts in rheumatology & the reason I'm under one, to be treated. With anything away from normal meds we're always asked to work with our Rheumy's. If our Rheumy believes all's well, or in some cases not, or what is helpful & what isn't we follow their advice as they're the specialist in the condition, they prescribe their specialist meds or recommended supplements as needed for the condition & our bodies as & when they're needed.

[Ali_H]

Hi,

Vit D has been recommended by my rheumy for winter months and will be retested in December to see how things are. I take tummeric and drink 3ginger tea to help with tummy (also has turmeric in it) and flax seed oil for dry eye (definitely works as for a period I cut right back and ophthalmologist noted my dry eye was worse after 3 months of cutting back... I hadn't told her I had done this as somethings you've just got to check out for yourself!) I don't take any fish oils or glucosamine as I have a shell fish allergy and a lot of these have shellfish derivative components... better safe than sorry!

I sometimes take a multi vit - usually in short 4-6 week bursts when I feel fatigue stepping up and I take as much fresh air as I can get!

You can be tested for iron, vitBs and vitD dificienies and, in my opinion, that's the best way forward as many people take vitamins their bodies are not short of and pee them staight out again... got that kinda money to waste I suggest finding a good charity and donating the cash there instead!

I also take 5mg of folic acid once a week as prescribed to help counteract some of the MTX side effects.

All the best

Ali

[nomoreheels in reply to Ali_H]

I have shellfish allergy Ali, specifically red shellfish & I take Omega 3 fish oil, thankfully no reaction, if was the same as with shellfish I'd have an immediate response so that would be enough to stop it! If you eat enough oily fish then you may be ok but I don't or won't eat the recommended 2 portions a week! x

[Simba1992 in reply to Ali_H]

True, there is no point in taking vitamins you don't need, but the fact is that chronic inflammation pays it's toll on specific vitamines and minerals and supplementing these is always a good idea. It's easy to google research and understand better how the chronic inflammation affects your body. There is recent research on vit. A and RA. This vit. has always been one of the important ones to supplement. Vit. D3 is perhaps the best known and a vit. that AI patients usually have a deficiency of. Zinc and Magnesium are the most important minerals that RA depleats. A number of antioxidants have demonstrated efficasy, NAC( N-acetyl-cysteine) has shown capacity to improve fatigue and disease activity, increses levels of glutathione, normalizes the production of proinflammatory cytokines and immune cell function. Q10 is another powerful antioxidant and antiinflammatory compound which has also a positive effect on mitochondria(the bodys powerhouse where RA patients are dysfunctional). I have been taking Q10 for many years for my dry eyes, and it really helps! You can google recent research on this too. Here a little glimt into the interesting world of biochemistry of your body.😊

[dillydally1 in reply to Ali_H]

I have heard turmeric is good, hope it works for you x

[Paula-C]

If you are wanting to take any supplements along with your RA drugs you really must check if it is ok with either your specialist nurse or your consultant. xx

[Fra22-57 in reply to Paula-C]

Yes I was told I must not take anything else apart from what is prescribed as can interference with what is given.

[dillydally1 in reply to Fra22-57]

thank you, very helpful x

[HilaryWB]

I agree with Simba, I also take Serropeptase, which has made a big difference, as has cutting out gluten, dairy, refined sugar, and eating a nearly vegan diet , but include oily fish and organic eggs.I have noticed that adding the Serropeptase has made a great difference.

[oldtimer]

There is a good report in the Which magazine about food supplements, can't remember when it was, probably last year, that summarises the evidence for them and the risks and benefits. You could Google for it.

Remember some supplements are stimulants of our immune system and will work against your immune suppressants, so check first.

[Simba1992 in reply to oldtimer]

The antioxidant effect of supplements and vitamines in fact has proven to not only protect the bodys own immunesystem but also improves the effect of immunosuppressants, in other words just contrary to the above mentioned belief. Lots of info on google for those who really want to know more.😊

[dillydally1 in reply to Simba1992]

thanks x

[nomoreheels in reply to oldtimer]

I've read this particular report oldtimer (well I think it's the same one) & I have to say it makes good sense, it basically supported my understanding of what may in some instances be necessary to supplement & what can readily be obtained through diet, preferably organic produce.

[dillydally1 in reply to oldtimer]

you have given me good advice, I will stick to healthy diet x

[nomoreheels in reply to dillydally1]

Dillydally, one of the supplements you asked about was glucosamine, I've just been reading further whilst I was logged in to Which & this might help you decide if it's worth (as in money!) trying or not....

"Healthy joints. You might think glucosamine supplements help to keep joints healthy but, again, the EFSA (EU's European Food Safety Authority) panel was unable to conclude a cause-and-effect relationship based on the evidence submitted by supplement manufacturers. Vitamin C was proven to 'contribute to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage', so many glucosamine supplements now also contain vitamin C so they can still carry a health claim about cartilage and joints. But you could save money and get the same benefit from a vitamin C supplement. We found that glucosamine supplements can cost from £1 a day, whereas vitamin C can cost as little as 3p a day. Over a year, switching from glucosamine to vitamin C supplements could save you up to £354."

Maybe choose vitamin C then instead, something I intend asking about?

[dillydally1 in reply to nomoreheels]

thanks nomoreheels, you have given me lots of info, thanks again fot taking the time, appreciated x

[oldtimer]

I haven't found any evidence that I can feel I can depend on. The evidence for anti-oxident activity appears to me very tenuous and unproven.

I prefer, myself, to have a good mixed and mainly vegetable and fruit based diet which suits me and does not require me to purchase supplements.

[dillydally1 in reply to oldtimer]

thanks, sounds a good idea x

[Cagsie]

I take a multivitamin with minerals, also glucosamine tab each morning. For the last year have taken Vit D as prescribed by my GP. Not sure if they help but don't want to try without them. Good luck

[dillydally1 in reply to Cagsie]

thanks, hope they help you x

[marie66]

Interesting thread - I take a multi vitamin and iron. I always have, I was diagnosed in March and didn't want to change thing so it's methotrexate, prednisone and 5mgs iron.

I still have swelling and pain but things have improved since I went dairy and meat free. I guess time will tell! M x

[dillydally1 in reply to marie66]

hope it works for you x

[kalel in reply to marie66]

Hey Marie if it helps you out at all it took me a long term to reverse a lot of my ra symptoms. I also take supplements and have been vegan for a long time but I have found that doing things like healing my gut, trying to get rid of the toxins in my body and eliminating stress my life and exercising daily has really helped me.

[jay-schuler in reply to kalel]

Hi.. what did you do to heal your gut..?

[TerrilouiseS]

I make turmeric tea or 'golden milk' when I feel one of those telltale fevers coming on. It has coconut milk, turmeric, ginger raw organic honey in and you can probably find a recipe online. I don't take supplements have tried lots during the course of the past 3 years. Don't see any difference but I do feel that turmeric and ginger are anti inflammatory so I love this drink. I used it when a Humira injection didn't work recently to keep down inflammation. Whether it does or not I don't know but I feel as though I'm doing some good for myself. I KNOW processed and sugary foods play hell with my immune system. I also know any man made products I put on my skin give me an immune response so I've started making my own. No skin problems for over a year which is a massive improvement from my extra sensitive skin before. These are very individual things that may not help you.

Hope you find some answers that work for you.

T xx

[dillydally1 in reply to TerrilouiseS]

thanks, glad it helps you. yes ginger is good and also helps the digestive system xx