Joint vitamins are usually consumed by athletes and people interested in natural remedies more compared to prescribed medications.  You may visit your nearest health food store and find a variety of health foods, nutritional supplements and joint vitamins.  Minor changes can be made in your day to day activities (i.e. eliminating activities that cause joint discomfort) that would maximize the effect of joint vitamins.

Significance – Joint vitamins are used for treating joint pain resulting from athletic injuries, training stress and arthritis.  People are interested in taking natural remedies for various reasons:  they are natural supplements, wanting to avoid any unnecessary medical treatment, not wanting to rely on pain killers that could cause stomach problem and are only a band aid.

Types – Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Some Vitamin B (thiamine, niacin, B6, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and B12) are successfully used joint vitamins to relieve joint pain.  Some minerals are also important to get relief from joint pain (most important are copper and calcium).  Essential oils and Fatty acids also provide a natural remedy to joint pain.

Function – Various vitamins cater to different reasons of joint pain while assisting the body in its healing process.  Antioxidant (Vitamin A) neutralizes free radicals that cause pain in tissue and B vitamins stimulate production of collagen and repair connective tissue.  Calcium and vitamin C help in building strength of bone reducing joint pain.  Fatty acids that may be found in flax oil and fish oil reduce inflammation.

Potential – Natural remedies offer an opportunity to alternate treatments like making changes in diet, using therapeutic massage etc. and are more appealing as compared to prescribed medicines or surgery.  Joint vitamins are naturally found in various foods including broccoli, carrots, spinach, cabbage, pineapples, apples and cherries.  Essential oil (ginger) can be simply massaged over affected area and as it is vitamin rich, it provides immediate relief from pain.

Tip – People consuming joint vitamins should avoid citrus fruits and citrus juices because it has been found that citric acid increases inflammation.  Although citrus fruits are rich in various vitamins, they may aggravate the problem rather than relieve it.

It is recommended to consult a doctor before starting any kind of vitamin regimen.  Lack of Vitamin D in our body has also been linked to joint pain.  Vitamin D deficiency also implicates mood disturbances (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Researchers suggest that pain in joints and fatigue has some link with inadequate level of this important vitamin. When supplements of vitamin D are given; aches, pains and weakness etc. are reduced.

Many of us don’t get the required amount of vitamin D we need because of lack of sun exposure.  Research indicates that a minimum of 1000 IU / day must be consumed.  Patients of joint pain may benefit if 2000 IU / per day or even more of vitamin D3 supplemental is given.