Arthritis & Musculoskeletal Disorders

Numerous studies have documented reduced levels of B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and juvenile RA patients. These deficiencies may be secondary to the disease process, to medications, or to poor dietary intake. Even marginal deficiencies may have clinical consequences in these patients, since the relatively limited blood supply to joints may increase susceptibility of these tissues to systemic nutrient deficiencies. Several studies have demonstrated increased oxidative stress in RA patients and have suggested that this stress might play a role in the tissue damage and inflammation associated with RA. In particular, Hawkins and Davies found that oxidants caused site-specific, rather than non-specific, damage to collagen. And, several studies have suggested that low antioxidant levels may be a risk factor for RA. Some evidence indicates that an antioxidant deficiency may also be involved in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA), and a high intake of antioxidant nutrients, seemed to reduce the risk of cartilage loss and disease progression in osteoarthritis patients.

REFERENCES

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