Calcium
Inflammatory arthritis accelerates bone loss, so it is important to get the optimum intake of calcium. Calcium supplementation is generally necessary for persons over 50. Diet plus a multivitamin usually isn't enough. Supplement with 500-mg doses one or more times a day with meals. If you use calcium citrate, it can be taken with or without food. Look for calcium with added vitamin D. Take Calcium separately from iron supplements. In 1980 the General Practitioner Research Group conducted a double-blind study showing that calcium supplementation significantly reduced the severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The study concluded that 2,000 mg/day of calcium improved symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis including morning stiffness and arthritis pain. In a study on rheumatoid arthritis, people on corticosteroids who took supplements of 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 500 IU of vitamin D daily had an increase in bone mineral thickness in their lower spines. Those who didn’t get the supplements had a 3 percent bone loss each year. (The supplements had no effect on bone thickness in people who didn’t take corticosteroids.) Other effects:Evidence shows women with high calcium intake gain less weight and body fat than those with low intakes. Scientists think calcium may trigger fat breakdown, while low intake stimulates fat production. Good evidence for a reduced risk of hypertension, stroke, premenstrual syndrome, brain and colon cancer; modest evidence for reduced gum disease risk.
Precautions:Too much Calcium causes loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle weakness, abdominal arthritis pain, impaired kidney function and stones. High levels also can interfere with magnesium and zinc absorption. Be sure to keep your total in take below 2500 mg. Adverse interactions can occur with certain diuretics; heart and hypertension medication; some types of tetracycline antibiotics. Some of our Moist Heat wraps for Arthritis ....
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