Taking certain vitamins may reduce the level of joint pain or even prevent the pain from occurring. Vitamins for joint pain include C, B3, B5, B6, D, and E. They may be consumed in the form of a supplement, as a part of a high-quality multi-vitamin, or from various food sources.
Vitamin C is one of the best vitamins for joint pain. Found in citrus fruits, berries, and cantaloupe, this vitamin is believed to promote healing of damaged joints. It also creates collagen, which is a part of joint cartilage. Some research shows that vitamin C slows the disintegration of joints that are already slightly damaged due to osteoarthritis or other diseases.
Several of the B vitamins, such as B3, B5, and B6, are helpful for joint pain as well. The B vitamins work by relaxing the nervous system and thereby reducing pain. Vitamin B3, in particular, is believed to prevent osteoarthritis, a leading cause of joint pain. Although available in capsule form, the B vitamins can be found in a variety of food sources, such as salmon, asparagus, eggs, and whole wheat.
Since it can be absorbed from the sun, vitamin D is one of the easiest vitamins for many people to incorporate into their diets. It is thought to protect the joints and, when used in conjunction with calcium, it works to build new joint cartilage. People who suffer from osteoarthritis experience less joint pain when they have adequate vitamin D in their bodies than people who do not.
Vitamin E, found mainly in nuts, is a natural anti-inflammatory. This vitamin works to reduce the inflammation and pain that is associated with arthritis and other diseases that affect the joints. In fact, one research study showed that people with joint pain who consumed 600 mg of vitamin E had less pain in their joints than those people who only consumed a prescribed pain reliever.
There are some naturally occurring supplements that, like vitamins, work to reduce the amount of pain in the joints. These supplements include glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids. They work to repair damaged joints and prevent future damage, as well as helping to reverse the effect of damaging conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Before using these supplements or any of the vitamins for joint pain, it is important for individuals to consult a medical professional to determine the cause of the pain.