Additional Vitamins/supplements

[Lizziedripping50]

Hi - I was wondering what additional vitamins/supplements people with RA take ? I am recently diagnosed and have lots to learn so any inform

[helixhelix]

This is so individual that we each have to work out what does and doesn’t suit us.

I basically don’t take anything extra as I spend my money on buying good food and making sure I have a varied diet that gives me all I need (and doesn’t give me things I don’t need like additives and so on).

The only exception is Vit D as despite being outdoors all the time I just can’t maintain a normal level without a supplement.

The most popular supplement seems to be curcumin (turmeric) and black pepper. Did nothing for me...but doesn’t mean it won’t for you.

However the one thing to be very careful of is contra-indications with your drugs like St John’s Wort which reacts with quite a lot, and not to take things like echinacea which boost your immune system. Yours is over active already!

[bubblyalex in reply to helixhelix]

I hadn’t thought about echinacea. I sometimes drink echinacea and raspberry tea... no longer will I. Thank you for point that out. 😀

I’ve always felt that taking extra vits is very expensive wee. Food is the effective way. 👍🏻

[springcross in reply to bubblyalex]

I found out about the Echinacea a few months ago as I used to like the Heath & Heather tea bags. I checked whether it was OK or not and was disappointed to find out that it wasn't. Shame. x

[Green230461]

I was told I had a lack of vit D. Told to take tablets for it feel much better now

[charisma]

Hi Lizziedripping50

I find a VitD3 with boron, magnesium and zinc is useful for helping keep bones etc healthy.

I also take diatomaceous earth, good minerals.

Some take Niacinamide, the non flushing variety of VitB3.

I take 1000mg of VitC daily, to help fight off any infections, as I am on drug infusions of Rituximab.

And for stiffness prevention, I take high doses of Turmeric curcumin containing black pepper (latter aids absorption) along with boswellia seratta; those two together have been proven in good studies to act like a Cox2 inhibitor/NSAID.

Since I could not take Celocoxib daily in combination with Methotrexate, I tried those and was surprised they did the job! They won’t touch RA active disease pain though.

And I cut out most sugar and switched to healthy fats and oils, and searched for organic and free range fresh foods. I don’t always buy them as the price difference is so marked. I don’t buy anything with additives, preservatives etc if I can help it. Even rapeseed oil which acts as a preservative, prolonging shelf life, is a very unhealthy oil but is found in so many foods.

Good luck finding what suits you!

(Forgot to mention Astaxanthin earlier; good for helping to prevent macular degeneration and has many benefits besides.)

[bubblyalex in reply to charisma]

Magnesium is best absorbed through the skin apparently. I put magnesium salts in my bath and it helps my skin too. 😁

[charisma in reply to bubblyalex]

It is supposed to be good for skin, helps it. But the skin won’t actually absorb it into your body. I believed that it did, a few years ago, but it is a myth. 🙂

[helixhelix in reply to charisma]

We need to be careful with niacin as can affect liver, and so caution about doses needed if on MTX (and also have the occasional glass of alcohol!). If you don’t need it - ie don’t have a B3 deficiency - then I personally wouldn't take it either by itself or within a multivitamin.

[charisma in reply to helixhelix]

It can cause a number of side effects. I’m finishing my current container then ceasing taking it, although I have no side effects from it. 🙂

[Boxerlady in reply to charisma]

I'm surprised that you say rapeseed oil is unhealthy as I've seen it mentioned alongside olive oil as being a "good" one; I use British cold pressed rapeseed oil for cooking and in salad dressings.

[charisma in reply to Boxerlady]

Many others also believe it is healthy. There is a lot of conflicting advice online.

Generally, polyunsaturated fats are not healthy ones. Cold pressed is a term that we all tend to think means it’s healthy as it’s not heated or processed or refined.

Eating oils and fats in small quantities is recommended.

This link might be useful in cutting through confusion kikiknowsfood.com/cooking-o...

Added later second-opinions.co.uk/immun...

[Boxerlady in reply to charisma]

The Arthritis Research UK booklet (which I was given by my rheumy nurse) and the diet section on NRAS both mention rapeseed oil as being a good thing....

[charisma in reply to Boxerlady]

So does the BHF. But the link I provided describes polyunsaturated fats (most vegetable oils) are difficult for the immune system to handle.

There is very conflicting information online from universities, health organisations etc.

The worst fats are trans fats ie hydrogenated. Your cold pressed rapeseed is likely ok in tiny amounts but it’s still a polyunsaturated fat.

It gets rather confusing!

[Dobcross1]

Are you ready for this it's a long list!! Vit C, combined Vit Bs, Zinc, Vit D, Vit K, Omega 3 oils, collagen, Biotin, Wheatgrass. Have tried turmeric and black pepper, CBD oil, apple cider vinegar etc - none of which worked for me and actually made me feel worse!! Good luck in finding what works for you.

[essexgirl]

Just take a multivitamin

[Hidden]

I taje Vit D B12 Omega 3 K2 and Magnesium. I had to stop tumeric WITH black pepper as causing cough issues with MTX. It is what suits you and also works with the drugs you are taking so always update the RA clinic as important they know too as some have contras.

[springcross in reply to Hidden]

The cough may have come from the black pepper causing silent reflux, that's what it does for me so stopped using it a few years ago.

[mhlmom]

I take supplements I have been told to take by my consultant. MTX leaves me unable to maintain proper iron levels so I take a daily iron tablet and I have also been told my vitamin D levels are very low despite it being summer so I now take Vit D and Calcium. And of course my daily folic acid for MTX. I won’t take anything unless advised as I don’t know what works with or against Rituximab and I don’t want to risk taking something that affects its potency for me.

[Hessie5]

Hi - I eat well so try to get my nutrients through organic fruit and veg, however, sometimes they can be depleted due to their distance to shops and how long they are sat on shelves, so I do top up with supplements my consultants keeps my list. I also find they contribute to my mind and body. For example if I don't take my B vitamins I can feel a little low.

So for starters my non negotiable's would be vitamin b, c, d (with K2). Fish oils. A multivitamin can be easier. I also take minerals to help with my joints / tendons as RA caused damage to my cartilage in my feet/ankles.

Some meds made my hair fall out so introduced collagen powder and MSM - and my hair is doing just fine. 😌

Everyone is different I just found good quality supplements (no binders/fillers) that assimulate with the body has worked for my personal lifestyle. However, you must must check with your consultant due to the meds we consume.

Best, Hessie

[Castroll]

Hi there

It's a it of a midfield and individual and can become expensive

I take vit c and

Omega 3 fish oil. Both are inexpensive from superstore.

If I am going to add anything new I would check with gp or specialist to confirm if OK with prescribed medication etc.

Good luck

Regards c

[Hidden]

It's a very individual thing. I carried on with things I'd been taking before, such as vitamin D, and I've added a few, but I've checked all of them, old and new, with the rheumatology pharmacist at the hospital. My rheumatologist suggested turmeric, but I haven't settled on it yet.