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B-Vitamins Beneficial for Arthritis We all know that B-vitamins are important, but that some of the B-vitamins also can help arthritis may not be well known. Already in 1994 a study was published on the effects of folate, one of the B-vitamins and vitamin B-12 which also is called cobalamin on osteoarthritis (Flynn MA, et al. 1994). The patients included in this investigation had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hands for an average time of 5.7 years. They had also been prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The study was double-blinded and randomized. One group were allocated to take folate and a placebo and the other group take folate and vitamin B12 for 2 months. Both groups were medicated with acetaminophen as need for pain. The results were interesting because they showed that in the group taking folate and vitamin B12 together, the grip strength were equivalent to when the patients were taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Even more interesting is that the numbers of tender joints were greater with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs than with the use of folate and vitamin B12. The researchers also commented that the side effects with the vitamin combination were none and side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are many. Levels of homocysteine (an amino acid) have been linked to a deficiency of folate, vitamin B6 and B12. A study conducted in Sweden investigated for that reason the effects of treatment with B-vitamins on homocysteine levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Yxfeldt A, et al. 2003). This investigation was also double-blinded and done over 12 months. These patients received either vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid or a placebo. The researchers found that the homocysteine levels decreased significantly in the patients taking the B-vitamins. They also found an alteration in C-reactive protein which is a marker of inflammation. Not everybody metabolize folic acid properly, it is therefore recommended that the metabolites of folic acid 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate and L-5-tetrahydrofolate as well as folic acid be taken to ensure that you receive the intended benefits. This is why the B-complex formula from BioPro, Inc. include these metabolites as well as all the other B-vitamins. Wishing you the best of health, Didrik
References: Flynn MA, Irvin W, Krause G. The effect of folate and cobalamin on osteoarthritic hands. J Am Coll Nutr. 1994 Aug;13(4):351-6. Yxfeldt A, Wallberg-Jonsson S, Hultdin J, Rantapaa-Dahlqvist S. Homocysteine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in relation to inflammation and B-vitamin treatment. Scand J Rheumatol. 2003;32(4):205-10. |
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