How does vitamin D deficiency affect arthritis? How to safely supplement this vitamin and help reduce symptoms of the disease? (Le Cuong, Ho Chi Minh City)
Vitamin D deficiency causes bone mineral density to decrease, making bones porous, weak and brittle. This condition is called osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children.
Vitamin D deficiency also disrupts the immune system, easily causing or making rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis worse. When the body lacks vitamin D, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, TNF) also contribute to the pathogenesis of arthritis, the level of inflammation increases.
People with vitamin D deficiency are often not easily recognized until they experience joint pain, fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, muscle atrophy and reduced joint movement. These problems can increase in severity with age.
The body can make vitamin D by exposure to sunlight or from dietary sources such as fatty fish (such as salmon, mackerel and tuna), fortified milk, beef liver, egg yolks , mushroom. Overdosing on vitamin D can cause poisoning and health risks, so you need to see a nutritionist for appropriate advice.
People with arthritis should supplement nutrients such as eggshell membrane (extracted from eggshell membrane), undenatured collagen type 2, hydrolyzed collagen peptide, turmeric root (turmeric extract), chondroitin sulfate. Nutrients have the effect of reducing inflammation, reducing pain, supporting the proliferation of osteoblasts, increasing bone cell production to help strengthen bones, and support the treatment of arthritis.
Patients need to exercise moderately and regularly and have regular check-ups at a reputable bone and joint specialist to control the disease promptly.