Zinc For Arthritis: An Effective Strategy?

There are so many new arthritis supplements on the market, the it becomes hard to figure out what you should take and what not!Taking Zinc for arthritis pain is an underrated strategy, with many people opting for the supplements that attract the most hype, like glucosamine and chondroitin.

However, Zinc should form part of your arthritis supplementation plan. It is an important mineral for hundreds of different processes in the body. The body cannot manufacture its own zinc, so you have to eat enough food containing it, or you need to take a supplement to get enough of this element into your body. Important to note, is that even a small deficiency can cause problems with your immune system. Natural sources are meat, liver, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds and milk. Vegetarians need to take care that their zinc intake is sufficient. A compromised immune system is definitely something you want to avoid if you suffer from arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis.

There are 156 enzymes that require Zinc to function. Growth and healthy sexual development depend on sufficient Zinc levels through dietary intake. Men need sufficient intake for sperm production. It helps the pancreas to make insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control. It is also involved with wound healing, the maintenance of your taste and smell, DNA synthesis, and sustaining a healthy immune system. Teenagers can benefit from Zinc supplementation in combating acne. It helps to activate white blood cells to fight infections. The recommended daily allowance of Zinc is 15 mg. Apparently about 20% of the world's population is deficient in Zinc.

Apart from all the above benefits, Zinc should definitely form part of your natural strategy when treating your joint pain, particularly when it comes to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Evidence shows that Zinc levels are high in the synovial fluid of people with arthritis, and low in the rest of the body. The suggestion is therefore that your body is using more Zinc to combat inflammation. Many studies indicate that people with rheumatoid arthritis have low levels of Zinc, which is typically related to higher levels of enzymes causing the inflammation in arthritis. Zinc forms a major part of an inflammation fighting enzyme called superoxide dismutase. This enzyme operates in the inflamed joints. So, if you have low levels of Zinc in your body, your body's inflammation preventing ability is compromised. Another direct benefit for arthritis is that Zinc is needed for the proper digestion of proteins. If proteins aren't properly digested, it can lead to allergic reaction in the gut, as well as leaky gut syndrome. When unwanted protein molecules slip into the blood as it does when you have a 'leaky gut', it has an immediate inflammatory response by the body. The higher your inflammation levels, the more severe your arthritis pain will become.

In one study from the University of Washington in Seattle, people with rheumatoid arthritis supplemented with Zinc three times a day. After three months, significant improvements in morning stiffness, inflammation and swelling were reported. If you do not eat ample amounts of nuts, seeds and oats, you are probably not getting enough Zinc. Under stressful conditions or if you have an inflammatory disease, you need more in any case, probably around 20-25 mg per day.