Minerals and Vitamins for Joint Pain

Are there really minerals and vitamins for joint pain that you can take? Can something as simple as vitamins and minerals stop something like joint pain? And if so, what vitamin and mineral supplements are best to take? Those are the questions we'll be discussing in this hub. But first, a little background. The more I study vitamins and minerals, the more I've become aware that a deficiency in some of the base building blocks of our bodies is one of the very main causes of disease and discomfort we experience. Did you know that scientists and doctors are now reluctantly starting to admit that somewhere around 80% of all cancer comes from the diet we eat? That's 80%. If that's really true, just think of how many more things are going wrong inside the body because of our diet. Joint pain is just another one of those things that has gone wrong. Having the right minerals and vitamins for joint pain should help alleviate the problem in most cases. In some cases however, there are other factors. I myself have a bone spur in my shoulder, and have to deal with a somewhat constant joint pain. But there isn't a whole lot that can be done short of surgery.

Joints are very sensitive, especially to the diet. Here's why. Increased inflammation is very common in Americans due to so many artificial compounds found in our diets -- preservatives, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, residual pesticides, etc. Artificial compounds generally boost the body's inflammation response because the body treats it as a potentially dangerous situation and releases pro-inflammatory compounds. Sometimes, one of the best things you can do to reduce inflammation is to cut out junk food, snacks, and overly processed foods, and start taking something like a raw food multivitamin, like the one I've linked to below.

Here's a list of specific minerals and vitamins for joint pain and how they affect the joints:

1. Lots of Vitamin C

• Some sources recommend up to 5,000 milligrams of vitamin C everyday in order to support the joints. That's a lot of vitamin C. And it's usually best to get it in raw form instead of pill form. If possible, try and eat an apple or an orange or another kind of fruit with each meal. Don't just quickly run to pills. Try and change your eating habits.

2. Vitamin B Complex

• There are 6 important members of the vitamin B family. They are thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂ and pantothenic acid. Deficiency in some of the B vitamins is one of the contributing factors to arthritis. B vitamins you'll most likely have to find in a supplement of some kind. You can usually get all 6 in one. Start taking the daily recommended value. B vitamins help to support the nervous system. This should help reduce some of the pain associated with joint pain.

3. Vitamin A

• A Deficiency in vitamin A has been shown to lead to painful joints. If you're deficient in vitamin A, this could definitely be a large part of your problem. Vitamin A can be found in most vegetables that are yellow and orange, such as squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.

4. Detox

• Well that's not really a vitamin or mineral now is it. Rather, it's a combination of minerals and vitamins. Detoxing your system using detox teas, lemon juice, sweating, and raw vegetables will not only help you get some of the vitamins and minerals you need, it will help correct a nutritional imbalance and jump start the process of joint healing. Before you start taking vitamin and mineral supplements for joint pain, detox your system a bit first. Here's more information on how to detox.

5. Probiotics

• For those of you who don't know, probiotics are foods that support and elevate the positive digestive bacteria inside the stomach and intestines. These, along with other digestive enzymes, help to digest and absorb nutrients from food. According to some sources, malnutrition in general may be the root cause of many kinds of joint pain. Many persons don't absorb and process all of the food they ingest. Even though they're eating plenty, they're still not getting the right nutrients, vitamins, and minerals out of the food they're eating. That's where probiotics come in. Having a strong digestive system will help ensure that the food you're eating will get processed adequately. This is just a good general step for anyone experiencing joint pain.

If you're experiencing joint pain and don't know why, you really ought to consider incorporating more raw vegetables into your diet. Many studies are starting to show that malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiency are large contributing factors to joint pain, and that the Standard American Diet doesn't meet the requirements the body needs. One of the reasons why is because of the large scale corporate farming taking place all over the country and world. Corporate farms don't fully replenish the soil they grow fruits and vegetables in, but only replenish it enough to get another healthy crop the next year. This means that even when we do eat fruits and vegetables, they're not nearly as valuable and nutritious as they once were to the body. Some studies have shown that fruits and vegetables in the modern age are only half as nutritious as those grown 50 years ago. That's pretty staggering. The point of all this? Eat more organically grown vegetables that don't come from corporate farms. And try to eat them raw for the maximum effect. Best of luck!

This article is meant to add to your general knowledge and is not meant to be taken as medical advice.