One study concluded that a high intake of antioxidant micronutrients, especially vitamin C, reduced the risk of cartilage loss and disease progression in people with osteoarthritis. Although the results were not consistent with vitamin E, several studies showed significant improvement in their symptoms of arthritis. There are many studies that are presently in progress looking into the use of antioxidants along with traditional medical therapy. Over the next few years, this issue will be better defined. Presently, in my practice I have seen many patients have significant improvement with their degenerative arthritis when they add an aggressive antioxidant nutritional program to their present medications.
Most studies look at just one nutrient at a time.
However, it only makes common sense that if oxidative stress is the underlying cause of the arthritis, you would want to take the most potent antioxidant supplement that you could find. For a minimal fee you can actually have specific details of the nutritional supplement program I am recommending to patients with rheumatoid arthritis in my office. Simply click on the icon below labeled Specific Nutritional Supplement Recommendations. Y. Henrotin, et al. Active oxygen species, articular inflammation and cartilage damage.