We can experience joint pain for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, ligaments and tendons are affected by inflammation, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. Daily wear and tear of the joints can get much worse once inflammation sets in. When the ligaments and tendons are unable to defend and repair themselves, pain can become a constant battle for many people.
There are over one hundred different forms of arthritis, but almost all are caused by inflammation. Some are caused by autoimmune disorders where the immune system overreacts to a stimulus, like a virus or inflammation, and attacks itself. Finding ways to treat the inflammation, calm the immune system, and help joints repair themselves can provide a lot of relief and even cure joint pain.
One way to achieve greater joint health is by using vitamins and supplements that are known to protect joints and encourage healing. Antioxidants should be the first on your list. Antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, E, beta-carotene (vitamin A), and glutathione are responsible for forming protective barriers around your cells. They also mop up free radicals that enter and damage cells. Free radicals cause oxidative stress, which can quickly destroy the tendons and ligaments in your joints. When you experience inflammation, your free radical production can sky rocket, depleting your vitamin stores and wreaking havoc on your joints.
Glucosamine is a precursor for the major components of joint cartilage and is usually derived from crustacean shells. Supplementing may be effective in preventing damage to the cartilage surrounding joints. It is very popular in the US, although recent studies show that it is generally only effective when used over many months and in conjunction with two other supplements, chondroitin and MSM. Chondroitin is a gelatin-like substance obtained from boiling cartilage. MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties when used in conjunction with chondroitin and glucosamine.
Studies on glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM have had conflicting evidence of effectiveness, but some people do report decreased joint pain. Treating the cause of the pain usually consists of taking anti-inflammatory medications and prescription drugs designed for joint pain. However, many people are still interested in natural remedies because of the long-term side effects of taking anti-inflammatory drugs and the suppressed immunity that they experience while taking the prescription drugs that are available for treating arthritis.
Vitamin C supplements may be the most effective treatment for most people’s joint pain for many reasons. Joints that take the most wear and tear use the most vitamin C. Your lower lumbar joints are thought to use more vitamin C than any other area of the body. Vitamin C supplements are often necessary to keep up with the demands of larger joints. Inflammation can quickly deplete the body of its vitamin C stores and allow damage to occur.
Vitamin C helps to prevent inflammation, calm the immune system, and protect cells from oxidative stress. It is also the most essential element in creating collagen and elastin for the body to use to repair ligaments and tendons in the body. Supplementing with vitamin C may be the answer to your problems. Talk with your doctor about supplementing with the best vitamin C for optimal joint health.
About the Author: Phil Le Breton is the owner at Wholesale Nutrition. He has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health with vitamins and supplements. Wholesale Nutrition has the best vitamin C powder on the market (C-Salts). Visit http://www.nutri.com to buy vitamin C supplements of the highest quality.
Tags: arthritis supplements, arthritis vitamins, best vitamin c, joint health, joint pain, joint supplements, natural joint remedy, treat joint pain, vitamin c supplements
